New Computer System Improves Time

Derby-based S&A foods was developed by Perween Warsi who, 18 years ago, sensed there was a gap in the market for supermarket ready-made meals that matched the taste and quality of those served in Indian homes. Since its creation, the business has a turnover of £75m and employs over 800 people at its Derby headquarters.

However, with success come problems. S&A found itself with an inefficient payroll system that resulted in heavy workload for the payroll team as they were constantly correcting errors in the system.

John Cutts, IT Manager, recognised the issue immediately.

"It was obvious that we needed to replace the existing T&A and payroll system with the best of the breed products that would help us run the business more efficiently."

A project was set up to examine a number of Work-force Management Systems that could replace the current system as well as improve the speed and accuracy of the provision of attendance information to help manage worker's absence and hence reduce cost.

As a result we have a much happier workforce.

Then came Open Options Time and Attendance from Crown Computing to the rescue. S&A found that it improved the flow of payable hour's information, which reduced the incidence and cost of overpayments, while it dealt with existing work patterns and will make itself flexible to accommodate any new working patterns introduced in the future.

Cutts was incredibly impressed with the system by Crown Computing, as it met all of S&A's requirements while giving additional benefits such as utilising S&A's existing feedback time clocks.

"We were impressed by the flexibility and power of the system and felt that Crown Computing's professional approach would offer the best solution to help us move forward," Cutts said.

Payroll manager Mike Gyles, also saw the improvements provided by Crown Computing.

"Once we introduced Open Options there was an immediate clerical saving and a massive decline in pay queries as data accuracy was improved through the direct interface from Open Options to our payroll system," said Gyles.

Open Option has also improved the company's labour management, thus increasing workforce effectiveness, as well as better enforced HR rules and processes such as lateness, absence and other disciplinary procedures. It also has helped to control breaks and the allocations of over-time to prevent unauthorised activities. All such improvements have dramatically reduced paperwork.

The most recent addition by Open Option has been the My-Options web kiosks that allow employees to check their own information such as clock card and holidays, ultimately reducing the administrative burden even more.

Gyles puts the introduction of Open Option into a much larger perspective, observing, "As a result we have a much happier workforce."