Future-proof instead of plastered over

What about active talent management? Is this wishful thinking on the part of software vendors or are customers really devoting more and more attention to these "soft" topics?

Michael Kleine-Beckel: To be honest, there is still far too little happening. I am constantly in contact with HR managers. Very rarely is there anyone who tells me they have no problem always having the right employees with the right skills in their workforce.

And when I ask HR managers why nothing is happening, the answer is: "Yes, we should actually be doing more." - It's a phrase I encounter up and down the country. And when we go further into the details, the answer is always, "We just don't have the time."

Clients don't have time to worry about talent management?

Kleine-Beckel: Yes, that is the reality. I often hear that payroll practically eats up resources. After all, it's understandable: Every month, salaries must be paid correctly. Correctly and legally. There are no gray areas - only right or wrong.

You mentioned billing - what else?

Kleine-Beckel: Well, IT operations also tie up a lot of attention. Systems have to be maintained and kept up to date. These are largely tasks that are performed in the IT department, but the need for coordination and the need for HR to intervene here should not be underestimated.

Also the ongoing legal changes. Just thinking about the effort required for the turn of the year, it's clear that this ties up a lot of resources. And then at the end of the month, HR managers look back and ask themselves what they did this month to advance continuing education in the company, for example.

That can be frustrating, right?

Kleine-Beckel: Oh yes. And that was the starting point for us to say that there must be another way. We are talking about medium-sized companies. There are no huge departments divided into personnel administration and personnel management. Everyone does everything, gets stuck in and does their best.

What do you say to customers who would like to do more recruiting or training within the company?

Kleine-Beckel: First of all, we listened - listened and analyzed. Surely it cannot be the case that dedicated HR staff who want to make their company fit for the future are virtually "plastered" with tasks that are really important, but which do not move the company forward. What employees in HR departments are really looking for can be reduced to two words: Simplicity and security.

Simplicity and security?

Kleine-Beckel: Yes, and throughout. Easy-to-use software - it should also be fun. No more attention to technology - the system has to run. How, the personnel manager doesn't care. And if possible, one should no longer have to worry about the year changes and salaries.

And employees and managers should be responsible for maintaining HR master data themselves, rather than fumbling with paper HR master data forms.

Sounds like a colorful bouquet of "make a wish," doesn't it?

Kleine-Beckel: Only at first glance. That can be realized. From these requirements, we have put together a product and service package that helps SME customers free themselves from resource-binding activities such as billing, annual turnover and IT operations. At the same time, the necessary tools for truly professional talent management are available. We call the product KWP next HR.

What is the composition of KWP next HR?

Kleine-Beckel: First of all, customers see only a modern interface that is fun to use. Beneath that is SuccessFactors talent management and SAP HCM billing. SuccessFactors is SAP's talent management solution, which is the leader with over 40 million users.

SAP HCM is the billing system in the German midmarket. - Incidentally, every fourth payroll run in Germany is carried out via SAP HCM. The systems are hosted at the data center of our parent company, All for One Steeb AG in Frankfurt, and at SAP's data center in Sankt-Leon-Rot near Walldorf. This eliminates the need for IT operations.

Is the data really safe?

Kleine-Beckel: Yes, absolutely. The data remains in Germany, that is a basic requirement. The systems are operated and maintained by specialists who do nothing else all day.

These are specially trained professionals. The data centers meet the highest standards, which are also used by banks. Everything is redundantly secured and continuously tested and certified according to the strictest criteria.

But that still leaves the accounting to be done, right?

Kleine-Beckel: We handle the accounting of wages and salaries with KWP Professional Services. These are our specialists for this. At the same time, they take care of the ongoing updating of the legal requirements.

In particular, the many tasks around the turn of the year are also completely eliminated for customers. The colleagues work on the customer's system, so the data is secure and correct. So now when the manager makes a salary adjustment in the team, it happens directly in the system on a simple interface.

Payroll then runs itself - thanks to outsourcing to KWP Professional Services. Payrolls are also provided by mail, encrypted e-mail or in the employee account.