E - L E A R N I N G
Feature topic - mastering software
This course is a bridge to year two of the Foundation Degree, specifically designed for those who have the experience and would now like the qualification. We have developed this online course to provide those who have completed one of our level three certifications, or who have two years experience and are confident with manual calculations. FOUNDATION DEGREE ACCESS COURSE
software that does not have ‘full’ API will possibly become redundant, as API cannot be added into a legacy product – you have to start with the API database. All software companies building new applications for iPhones, tablets and computers start with the API. Sadly, too many payroll solutions in use today are old legacy systems. As the old way of processing payroll is changing, there is an ever-increasing need for software that can interface with other applications – at the touch of a button. And those suppliers that claim they have API when actually they only provide API for a part of their product, will eventually fall by the wayside. But back to the question: ‘How do you master software?’. Well, one way is to be inquisitive, like my grandsons: just dive in and find your way around. Something I like to do is compare one software against another. But don’t just read the sales blurb when looking at two in-house payroll solutions or two outsourcing options, as they may well say the same things; instead, get under the bonnet, so to speak. For example, consider two cars: a saloon from the 1980s and my two-year- old car. Both have four wheels, steering wheel, electric heated rear window, and fog lights. Both will do 70 mph on the motorway; both have a sound system; and both have sat nav. But on checking them out, the electric window and the fog lights on the 1980s car were added in the 1990s. My car’s sound system has moved on a long way from the cassette player; its sat nav is integrated into (not bolted to) the dashboard, and travelling at 70 mph an hour is a totally different experience! So, get under the bonnet, and see what you can find. Don’t just use the software to accomplish your current daily, weekly or monthly tasks – but find out what else the software can do. Look for ways to save time and money. I once had a bookkeeper working for me who prepared a weekly spreadsheet of financial data, but it was not long before I questioned some of the totals. The following week I sat with him as he prepared the figures: he entered numbers in the spreadsheet, then used his calculator to total the figures. He had no idea the spreadsheet could add the column for him.
Companies that spend vast amounts of energy looking for better ways to achieve savings, not just for themselves but for their clients, are payroll bureau. With so many new innovations that can have an effect on employees – from time management data gathering to payments solutions – bureaux that focus on technology and integration are leading change. No matter what software you use – whether payroll, HR, pensions, payments, accounting, Office, or any other application – take time to learn all there is to know. Don’t be like my old bookkeeper. Find out how the software ...about time you got under the bonnet and became master of your software... integrates with other software; build test cases and try things out. Keep abreast of what’s happening in areas outside of payroll. For too long, payroll professionals have been happy to stay with legacy systems. It is time to see what other software providers are doing. A few years back I went to an event run by Intuit, the global accounting solutions provider. The head of development announced: “We are planning today what our software will look like and how it will work in ten years’ time, and to help us we have turned to kids of eleven and twelve years of age to find out how they master software today. Because in ten years’ time they will be using our software in their own businesses.” Technology is changing so fast that sometimes we can only guess what the future will look like. For example, if I asked my family ‘What’s the weather forecast for today’, my father will go outside, return and tell me. I, however, rely on the radio or TV; and my 33-year- old son will just ask ‘Siri’. So, the question is: ten years from now, how will my grandsons tell me? Isn’t it about time you got under the bonnet and became master of your software? n
If this sounds like you or a member of your team, enrol today.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 64 | October 2020
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