Novelis

Integrated HR and Payroll Software - Novelis is the world leader in aluminium rolling and aluminium can recycling. Novelis have used integrated HR and Payroll software from NorthgateArinso, to improve service levels and payroll efficiency.

Company description:

Novelis is the world leader in aluminium rolling and aluminium can recycling. The company has operations on four continents comprised of 36 operating facilities in 11 countries. The company serves clients in a number of sectors,including automotive and transportation, drink and food cans, construction and industrial products, foil and flexible packaging. The foil and flexible packaging site at Bridgnorth has around 450 employees and benefits from using NorthgateArinso’s Empower HR and Payroll packages.

Sector:

Manufacturing.

Challenge:

To further improve Payroll efficiency and service levels.

Solution:

The latest version of NorthgateArinso's Empower Payroll module, as part of an integrated HR and Payroll solution.

Benefits:

• Efficiency improvements throughout the payroll process.
• Reduced duplicate data entry to minimise the risk of errors.
• Flexible report writing tools.

Background

The Novelis payroll department in the UK has for some years used NorthgateArinso's Empower Payroll module as part of an integrated HR and Payroll solution. When they heard that an updated version of the Payroll module was to be launched they were keen to take advantage of its greater functionality.

Solution

By using the Empower Payroll module, Novelis were able to benefit from:

Integration with the HR system

Employee information does not need to be added or amended twice: both the HR and Payroll modules access information from the same central database. This removes the need for duplicate data entry and ensures consistent information across the system. For example, each time an employee changes cost centre the information is updated by HR staff yet the payroll department have access to the information, such as when they need to look at an employee’s payroll history in terms of cost centres.

Automatic actions from diary entries

Whenever something is identified as needing to be done on a future date, such as a change in an individual’s pay for a given month, the diary system is used. The diary is also used to run selected reports on chosen dates.
 
‘Calculate and reverse’ function

Once a new payroll is run, with the pay amounts calculated based on inputted instructions and database information, the Novelis payroll department checks the results. Where a mistake is found, for example a keying-in error, it is easy to reverse and recalculate just those employees affected by the error. The ability to choose selected employees removes the need to make a complete reversal of the entire pay group, saving time for the payroll department.

Easy-to-use report writing tools

It’s easy to collect data from the system and represent it in a report format, for example when line managers ask for a report on any aspect of their department’s payroll history. The user-friendliness extends into the way that reports can be presented, including an option to turn the raw data into Excel spreadsheets that can be understood and manipulated by anyone in the business. The Novelis payroll department say that the reporting tools have proved to be highly useful in support of a wide range of management decisions.

Importing and exporting data reduces the need for re-keying

The Empower Payroll module allows for quick and easy importing of information from various sources. For example, information about overtime worked can be imported into the system without the need for re-keying. Also, mail merges can be run so that tasks such as label generation can be based on the main HR and payroll database, which is the most accurate source of employee information.

Instant changes to selected employee groups

Batch entry screens allow for the updating of records for anything from one employee to large groups. This tool can be used when changes are needed for groups such as departments or club membership lists. Employees can be selected as a group, rather than one-by-one, and the change made so that it affects just those selected.

New time-saving screens

The new pay history form has delivered valuable time savings. The form allows users to look at an employee’s total pay history, with a payslip style view of each period with full drill-down ability at pay element level, making it easy to handle telephone enquiries quickly and accurately.

The benefits to Novelis

"It’s a really easy system to use,” says Christine Hayward, Novelis’ Payroll Administrator. “Anyone can get up and running quickly once they have had some introductory training. There are a number of ‘wizards’ for most of the main functions which guide us through the steps we need to take, saving time and minimising the likelihood of mistakes. If we do need some additional help it is always available as NorthgateArinso’s support for Empower customers is first class.”

“The system also helps us to give a better service to our employees. Requests such as producing duplicate payslips when the originals have been mislaid can be handled accurately and quickly yet with minimum effort on our part. Employees appreciate this, especially as when proof of earnings is needed it tends to be in situations where there is a sense of urgency.”

Conclusion

The theme running throughout Novelis’ use of the Empower Payroll module is that of efficiency. Time is saved at almost every point during the payroll administration process. This,coupled with the high level of service available to their colleagues, has made the Empower Payroll module central to the success of the payroll department.

 

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