Pastel invests in dedicated payroll software division

Investments in infrastructure, people and support systems have been made by accounting software specialist Pastel Software for the launch of a dedicated payroll software division to service the SOHO and SME markets.

"Changes in legislation affecting salaries and wages have placed pressure on small businesses to move away from manual payrolls," says Terry Kier, managing director of Pastel Software, a Softline company. "The deductions and calculations on payrolls are more complex and government organisations such as SARS, UIF and RSC expect electronic payment of taxes and levies."

Pastel`s payroll infrastructure and support staff have been doubled in the new dedicated division. Kier says Pastel Payroll division will provide the SME market with a quick, easy, very functional and value-for-money payroll solution that ensures businesses meet all the requirements of legislation.

"We made some mistakes in the past with payroll, which really operated in the slipstream of our core competency, accounting software. Now we`re applying the same core competency focus to payroll solutions through a dedicated division staffed by people who are payroll-savvy and have been given ownership of their portfolios. We know this formula works and is supported by a large pool of resources and expertise within the Softline group."

The strategy to build up the payroll business is based upon the Pastel channel. Says Kier: "Pastel has always relied heavily upon its channel partners and they`re an integral part of this drive into the payroll market. VARs are being trained and their overall knowledge base of payroll is being extended, opening up opportunities to grow their business."

The Pastel Payroll product has been enhanced with new technology that makes computerisation of payroll systems affordable to small businesses.