Technology - Feature topic - Mastering software
Still making do with a Nokia 3210?
Louise Ankers, head of product management at Moorepay , set out the case for upgrading your payroll software
T hink back to the late 1990s when the slickest mobile phone on offer was a Nokia 3210. Swapping its plastic cover and playing snake was exciting, state-of-the- art stuff. Fast forward to today and things have moved on. Your mobile is now a smart phone, and it really is smart. Ask Siri what the weather’s like, order your big shop from Asda and track your Amazon deliveries. Pretty cool, right? This rate of change in the world of tech has affected us in every aspect of our lives, particularly at work. From team chat applications to project management tools, holiday booking and expense logging software, to everything Microsoft and Google. There are heaps of cool apps and systems that allow us to be more efficient and productive at work. And for payroll professionals like you, there are a million and one reasons to take advantage of the latest tech. Because both back-end users (payroll and human resources (HR) teams), and front-end users (employees) expect feature-rich, modern looking software. What they don’t want is a clunky system that feels archaic. It’s like putting up with a Nokia 3210 – great in 1999 – but now, you want an iPhone 11 or a Samsung Galaxy S20. But whilst for some payroll and HR professionals their software has moved with the times, for many both the engine and the interface are trapped in the 1990s. Which means they’re stuck using something with
limited functionality, that’s tricky to navigate, and potentially rather ugly to look at. Payrollers need modern software that’s easy to use. With payroll and HR software that uses the latest technology, there are many benefits for users to take advantage of. For instance, increased automation; think holiday accruals, statutory calculations and average holiday pay. Why do it in a spreadsheet when software can take care of it for you? What’s more, these days, everything seems to link up, doesn’t it? Increased integration means you can enter data once and it will be everywhere it needs to be. No more risking mistakes with double handling of information. Plus, modern software means modern employee self-service. Which means your staff get their payslips via an app, in the same way they access their bank account. Why wait for it in the post or log into an old-fashioned system? This stuff should be available to them on the device they use the most – which is likely to be their smart phone. Let’s be clear though, it’s not just about the ‘bells and whistles’. Your payroll and HR software must be easy to use, which means easy to master. And let’s face it, there’s no point having all these features if users can’t figure out how to access and use them. So, how do you determine if software is easy to use? Well, at the heart of easy-to-use software is a bunch of important usability principles. For instance, the software login button should be top right, yes? And all the
language must be familiar to users, avoiding nonsense jargon and inconsistencies. Navigation should be intuitive, logical. Plus, the design has got to be minimalistic because anything too busy will overwhelm users. There should also be something to prompt users on what to do when they get stuck. And ideally, there should be an element of personalisation, for instance, private notifications – and the ability to turn them off! All of this contributes to the user feeling welcomed, valued and empowered to get the most out of their software. And that’s the whole point, right? It’s a tool to enable the user to reach their desired outcome, and great software must be designed with that in mind. For instance, your smart phone can simply track how many kilometres you ran this morning. But it’s more valuable if it can help you reach your health and fitness goals by providing tailored workouts. In the world of payroll, you want to pay people accurately, on time and to the letter of the law. But the real value lies in contributing to a workplace where employees feel appreciated for the work they do, where retention rates climb and motivation and productivity soar. n In summary If your business is keen to invest in the latest technology and reap the many benefits it brings, there needs to be a focus on buying something that provides ease of use, as well as functionality.
Without a great user experience, employees will be left behind.
...this contributes to the user feeling welcomed, valued and empowered...
On the flip side, if your business has got you making do with a Nokia 3210, it’s time to ask for an iPhone.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 64 | October 2020
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