Many South African companies are expanding their product offerings and footprint into Africa, the continent offering a wealth of opportunity in previously untapped and developing markets.
Softline VIP, part of Softline and Sage Group, a leading global supplier of business software and related services, has done just that, and is currently operational in 10 African countries that include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and the DRC, with further developments in the pipeline.
Nairobi, Kenya is home to Softline VIP Payroll's latest office that will be functioning as a central office for VIP's East African operations. VIP Payroll opened the office to provide functional offices and training facilities to the operatives in the country. “Kenya boasts a growing economy that is eager to embrace innovative technology and processes. There is no clear market leader operational in the Kenyan payroll sector, which provides a golden opportunity for VIP Payroll to grow and develop,” says Sandra Swanepoel, Director of Softline VIP Payroll.
Softline VIP embarked on a strong drive to expand its footprint into Africa at the start of 2010, fuelled by a demand from its clients. “VIP Payroll is a known and trusted brand in South Africa that offers a bouquet of stable and dependable payroll and HR software systems that our clients are familiar and comfortable with. Many of our existing clients have extended their own business offerings into the African space and it makes business sense to simplify the process integration and governance of a multinational company using a single payroll application, reducing the perceived risk involved,” explains Swanepoel.
Breaking into the African market is, however, a process that requires extensive research. Each African country possesses its own market compilation and a company based in South Africa may not necessarily be practical, says Swanepoel. “Payroll is a sensitive application that most regard as a critical process that requires support, and from that perspective companies prefer to work with an established brand that has local representation that can offer support and infrastructure close by.”
The VIP Payroll product design includes a revolutionary tax engine that can seamlessly integrate any tax table into the program. “The software can be individualised to comply with each country's legislation and required statutory reports, allowing us to customise the software to be country specific. When combined with the full-fledged payroll and HR management software capabilities our various products offer, it provides the client with a product they are familiar with that will perform and deliver,” explains Swanepoel.
Language has not really posed any barrier to entry. “The universal language of business is mostly English. In every country that Softline VIP Payroll operates in, we offer comprehensive support from the country, allowing the client to speak to someone that is local and able to assist in a professional manner. Ongoing training and support from South Africa ensures that operators on the ground are equipped with the knowledge that is coupled with a tailored payroll solution that that is stable and delivers,” concludes Swanepoel.
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Softline VIP
Softline VIP is a leading supplier of payroll and human resource management solutions in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The company now boasts more than 24 000 clients. With three payroll and human resource management products, Softline VIP is able to meet the needs of any size company. Coupled with an extensive service offering, Softline VIP is the only payroll and HR solution geared to meet the challenges of the modern payroll office. The VIP products are synonymous with ease of use, stability and reliability, with the flexibility to cater to the unique needs of every client. VIP promises long-term sustainability over and above legislative compliance. VIP understands the human resources and payroll environment and offers the client peace of mind by providing a total solution.
* Softline VIP achieved an overall fourth place in the top 10 for medium businesses in the Deloitte Best Company to Work for Survey 2009, and a second place in the industry category “business and professional services”. Softline VIP also emerged one of 48 participants out of an overall 98 to score above the standard of excellence threshold of more than 75%.
Softline
Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions to small, medium and large sized companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia. Focused on the development of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions, Softline has a 20-year track record as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group's product offerings provide Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions. In November 2003, Softline was acquired by the Sage Group, a FTSE 100 company. The software group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large sized business community. Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.
The Sage Group
The Sage Group is a leading global supplier of business management software solutions and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989. Sage has 5.8 million customers and more than 14 500 employees worldwide. We operate in over 26 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information, please visit http://www.sage.com.
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