Abbey HR has been able to add online HR software to its portfolio of client services as the result of a partnership with Cezanne HR.
Abbey provides HR and employment law support to a 350 strong client base. Its services range from supporting SMEs without a dedicated HR manager with policies, contracts, and legal advice; to helping larger, multi-site companies on issues like restructuring TUPE, and a wide range of training programmes designed specifically for managers and supervisors with staff responsibilities.
The business was seeing an increasing demand among its clients for automated systems that would help them reduce admin and streamline their HR processes.
Managing Director Simon Howes began to look around for a potential partner who could deliver an up-to-date software solution, and chose to work with Cezanne because he liked both the people and the product.
“Cezanne’s HR software just ticked all the boxes for us”, he explained. “We liked the system because it was straightforward to use, but not limiting. It offers a lot of flexibility for our clients, and allows us to expand our offering while also maintaining the relationship with clients.”
It was important to Simon that the system worked particularly well for medium-sized businesses, who could choose how to set the system up to meet their specific needs. “There are a lot of providers out there but many of the ones with the flexibility we were looking for seem to be focused on the higher end of the market. Their systems come with high implementation costs and administration overheads that we felt simply weren’t appropriate or necessary. With Cezanne, we can help clients get up and running really quickly with a system that’s tailored to them – and we know they’ll be automatically updated at no extra charge as Cezanne releases new features.”
“Cezanne also allows people to use the modules they need now – and add others – like performance management or timesheets – at a later stage as their business needs change.” He says.
Simon believes the availability of real-time HR data and the ability to run regular reports on issues such as absence will also add real value to clients. “It provides powerful information that clients can either use themselves to inform business decisions – or that we can use with them to highlight issues they may not even know they have,” he said.
Abbey HR believes that the self-service element of Cezanne’s HR system will also add a great deal of value for employees themselves. Not only will they be able to keep their own personal data up-to-date and manage their holiday entitlement, they will also be able to use it as a career planning tool. Training and development, for example, can be recorded in the system, together with actions agreed at appraisals.
Interest in the new offering has been high with several Abbey clients already signed up, and others in the pipeline.
“It’s a common-sense system which is helping to take the admin pain away from our clients. It is very complimentary to the services we already provide and in a competitive market, is helping to differentiate and give us an edge,” says Simon.