Accace, a company offering consulting and outsourcing services in payroll, accounting and tax areas, has recently launched its own product – TULIP – a unique platform for managing all accounting, payroll and HR processes. What stood behind the decision of developing an own IT solution? Viktor Mečiar, IT Manager of Accace Group explains:
Why would an outsourcing company decide to launch its own IT solution?
The first impulse came with the effort to provide a single interface for our client’s payslips access in several countries and our disappointment when we didn’t find one in the market. So we designed it ourselves. Gradually we added new functionalities – documents flow, workflows, payroll calendars, helpdesk and many others. Today we have a solution prepared for the whole European market, one that can cover all key areas of payroll processing and HR administration.
In the area of accounting the drive came during our attempt of streamlining company’s internal workflows. We learned from the biggest projects – where the only possible way to process thousands of documents per month is the maximum elimination of paper usage, transparent processes and automated booking. We simply weren’t satisfied with any solution for the electronic circulation of documents available in the market. We needed more, so we created TULIP.
“Firstly, we tested TULIP at our company in 6 countries and today we are behind dozens of implementations for our clients. “
Why is TULIP so different from any solution available on the market?
The advantage of our product lies in TULIP not being limited only to the legislation of one country or to a specific payroll, accounting or other software. In simple terms, this means being able to copy all existing processes when entering new countries, as well as allowing easy control of the network. Behind TULIP stands our long-lasting international experience in payroll and accounting area. Therefore, unlike all “IT only” companies, we understand the daily problems that occur within payroll and accounting department. TULIP was first tested at our company in 6 countries, and thus we can prove that TULIP solves real problems faced by financial and HR department in any company.
“We needed more than just a tool for digitizing and circulation of the documents, so we created TULIP.”
Which areas of payroll and HR agenda does Tulip cover?
TULIP Payroll represents a unified platform for employees and company’s HR team. The employees have in their hands a comprehensive archive of all their payslips and other HR documents. Communication with the HR department and payroll requests are undertaken by a sophisticated ticketing system, which records the history of all employees’ requirements.
The platform has been designed with an integrated system of e-mail notifications whenever payslips or responses are ready for the employee, or a new task is added to an employee’s workflow – for more complex processes. In addition, TULIP monitors employees’ attendance, including absences and offers them the possibility to send their sick leaves directly via their phones.
For HR and Payroll teams, TULIP is a safe and transparent tool for document and output exchange and customized approval. HR team members have real-time access to all data and documentation, in one place. Furthermore, they can access updated payroll calendars and reports that pull data directly from the payroll software. TULIP is a living organism that evolves with new requirements of our clients – for example, we have recently added functionality for employee evaluation.
How does Tulip help you run a business?
TULIP has been continuously used at our company and by our long-term partners in countries where we don’t have any branches. This is a great asset to us – allowing us to offer to large international clients the same service quality as they require in countries where we aren’t presented via own branch. International companies gradually unify their network of suppliers. Contractors who cannot cover all countries in which their clients operate are sooner or later replaced. It is TULIP that allows Accace to compete with the large global competitors and “stay in the game.”
What is TULIP for your company?
First of all TULIP represents a big challenge as it’s been constantly growing and already exceeded our expectations. Large team of IT experts, ERP consultants, accountants and payroll clerks have been assigned for its development. By designing TULIP we are well aware of areas where we can improve ourselves and where pacing old tracks is not always necessary and correct.
Contact: Viktor Mečiar IT Manager Viktor.Meciar@accace.com +421 2 325 53 000