Harmonisation of Payroll & HR

“One of the initial challenges was also an opportunity to move towards a single, uniform system architecture. The payroll software that Stork Netherlands was using was no longer supported. As Bilfinger and Stork Belgium were already using SD Worx systems, it was only natural that Stork Netherlands would switch to Cobra. Following careful preparation, Cobra has been operating smoothly across virtually all entities since 1 January 2025.” 

“Fortunately, SD Worx provides an integration between Cobra and SAP. However, harmonising the various HR processes did take some doing. Even before the merger, both Stork and Bilfinger were using SAP SuccessFactors as their HR platform. Although it is the same software, the companies had configured the working environment differently. We are currently facing the challenge of adapting the interface between SuccessFactors and Cobra for Stork. As with payroll, Bilfinger’s existing configuration is the starting point. But we are moving towards a new, better setup. SD Worx is helping us with this.”

Developing Optimal Processes 

“You seize a challenge like this as an opportunity to question existing working methods: could the processes be made more efficient? Take salary components, for example. At Bilfinger, salary data wasn’t stored in SuccessFactors; it was only in Cobra. At Stork, on the other hand, all salary components were in SuccessFactors, with a link to the payroll system.”  

“We are now building a new standard configuration that combines the best of both merger partners. From now on, salary data for the whole of Bilfinger will be available in SuccessFactors, so that it can be used for performance management and pay reviews, for example. But Stork also managed all sorts of salary components in SuccessFactors that were rarely used in practice. Items such as bonuses and allowance percentages were entered there manually. In Cobra, something like that can be calculated automatically for as long as you like using a simple formula. That is more efficient and reliable. Cobra is an active working system, a true payroll engine, where you can have calculations done and experiment with different scenarios. A handy addition to SuccessFactors, which manages vast amounts of data.” 

Bilfinger is working with SD Worx to identify further opportunities for optimisation. “For example, the administration of career breaks was handled entirely manually at one entity. SD Worx offered an automated solution. A small investment with a big return: fewer errors, accurate monitoring, and less manpower required. Another example: expense claims at Stork were still being processed on paper. SD Worx is now supporting the transition to the same automated process that Bilfinger uses.”

People, Processes & Systems 

“People have familiar habits, working relationships and ways of doing things. For example, they’re used to a particular field being in a specific place, and suddenly they can’t find it in the new system. A change like that isn’t easy. As a service centre, you’re under a lot of pressure. Business carries on as usual and you simply have to keep supporting it, whilst behind the scenes a transition is taking place to a new way of working.”  

“An integration like this has three pillars: systems, processes and people. The order in which you standardise them is essential. Only once the merging partners are working in the same system can you align the processes. And once those are optimised, you assign the right people to them. If, for example, you do it the other way round, you risk creating a range of different processes, which in turn require different systems.” 

A Mutual Relationship 

When it comes to a major change, the partnership with the supplier makes all the difference. “Every company sees itself as unique, and to a certain extent, it is. SD Worx knows many of these unique companies and recognises the parallels. This enables them to offer surprising options. Of course, we always weigh up the business case. Not every proposed solution is worth the investment.”  

“Recently, the CEO of SD Worx congratulated me at an event because we’ve apparently been a client for 50 years. Unlike with other partnerships, when you work with a payroll or HR provider, you’re by definition entering into a very long-term collaboration. Stability is important, because you can’t just switch systems and processes on a whim. They need to understand your needs, and you need to understand their products. In such a long-term partnership, you get to know each other inside out.” Jens De Wael concludes: “If SD Worx were to propose a package to Bilfinger tomorrow that didn’t suit our business at all, I’d be very surprised.”

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