HFX partners with Wagestream

Innovative ‘earned income’ payroll provider teams up with HFX’s established workforce management solutions to provide staff with flexible, financial benefits

HFX, market leading provider of cloud-based SaaS flexitime and workforce management solutions, has announced a partnership with Wagestream, the first Get-Paid-As-You-Go provider accredited by the FCA. Wagestream allows workers to access their ‘earned income’ at any time during the monthly pay cycle and can be implemented by companies without impacting cash-flow, payroll or timekeeping processes. Experienced in workforce management for over 40 years, HFX’s solutions complement Wagestream’s platform by providing the tools to manage staff working hours efficiently to administer pay as you go payments.

Nicola Smart, COO of HFX said; “Our collaboration with Wagestream perfectly complements HFX’s focus on playing a key role in the new world of work, combining efficient workforce management with wellbeing and staff benefits.  By deploying our solutions companies can benefit from improved productivity, more motivated staff and higher retention as well as cost savings and improved profits.”

Andrew Fenwick, Enterprise Partnership Director at Wagestream said; “Our new pay concept enables companies to offer employees a benefit of remunerating them their ‘pay’ for short periods worked, whether for overtime or even a few days’ work, instead of waiting until the end of the month or taking out expensive loans.

“It is already popular in companies with high turnovers of lower skilled staff, where employee retention levels increase because they value having quicker access to their salary when they need it. Our vision is aligned with that of HFX’s in this new world of work – we will be able  to offer companies a true holistic workforce management solution where the efficient recording of hours is directly related to remuneration, enabling staff to take control of and manage their finances and working hours.”

Wagestream’s service benefits employers which operate large numbers of shift and temporary workers, in sectors such as hospitality, security, retail and manufacturing. HFX’s workforce management solutions have an established pedigree of providing solutions to manage working hours, shifts and rosters to meet legislation and ensure staff wellbeing.

About Wagestream

Wagestream allows all employees, both salaried and hourly, to have complete control over when they get paid. It effectively ends the stress caused by monthly pay cycles and prevents millions of UK workers suffering overdraft charges, credit card debt, or worst case, entering cycles of poverty caused by payday loans.

Wagestream is a social impact, charity backed platform, that has proven and significant retention, productivity and recruitment benefits for employers.

Find out more here https://wagestream.co.uk/ or Contact Us

Introducing A New Integration Paradigm

Einstein stated that “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” and for hfx this has become a mantra and even our core values are expressed by one word: simplify.

We follow this principle both in terms of our processes, methodology and vigorously within our cloud solution design and development.  The first challenge we tackled with Time and Attendance was the complexity of reflecting real world work rules within a simple and easy configuration that end users could quickly master and enable them to take complete ownership of the solution. The result was amazing; implementation time reduced from 9 months to 1 month enabling the customer to achieve accelerated ROI and significantly reduced costs of configuration and implementation.

This success gave us confidence to tackle the next challenge which was more nuanced but no less radical; solving the thorny issue of integration using Application Programming Interfaces.  As a group of seasoned developers with over 30 years’ experience of integration (and a combined list of over 250 interfaces developed under our belt) we looked at the fundamental issues with integration. We recognised that the issue had little to do with coding ability, language but everything to with mindset.

At a high level we recognise three key mindsets that pervaded all interface development characterised “The Solicitor Mindset”, “Pedantic Officialdom” and “S.E.P or Someone Else’s Problem” – Our analysis revealed all 3 mindsets in all 3^rd party integrations we had ever seen and worked with historically. Each requires a little explanation to see how they manifest;

The Solicitors Mindset:

If you have ever had dealings with a solicitor (whether when buying/selling a house, Non-Disclosure Agreement etc) you will instantly recognise the legalise, Latin and jargon that seems to confuse rather than clearly communicate its purpose. Any attempt to simplify the text is met with a firm response by the solicitor that “Its not meant for you but for another solicitor”. This is a lazy excuse to avoid clarity and simplicity by relying on someone else with 7 years legal training to decipher text that could and should have been presented in a way that a lay person could understand. This same mindset influences the development of API’s with the argument being that the P stands for programming so there is no need to simplify the API as its not meant for anyone other than another programmer.

Pedantic Officialdom:

We’ve all had this when asked to fill out a form to change some information. Often you must enter the very same information they already hold and then when you hand it in you are told you’ve used the wrong form (often they have different forms to register new information versus amend existing information). When you fill in the correct form (which is almost identical to the other form) you are then told you must use blank ink rather than the blue or that your signature isn’t fully in the box provided (which is often too small) – I could go on, but you get the point. This very same approach is often applied to Application Interfaces. As with Pedantic Officialdom the whole purpose isn’t to make life easy for the consumer (or 3^rd party) but a lazy approach to make it easier for the recipient.

Someone Else’s Problem:

Incapsulating and extending on both the previous mindsets is the overarching view that it is someone else’s problem to decipher and to comply with these pedantic and overly cumbersome rules. This approach to integration enables API’s to be created very quickly but the consequence is that they are dumb, brittle and difficult to work with and significantly increases the effort by the third party.

 A New Paradigm:

Overcoming these issues isn’t a question of technology, coding skills or even language, its harder than that because it requires a paradigm shift in thinking about the whole approach to integration.

However, as with all challenges we were confident with the right approach we could completely turn integration on its head to simplify work for 3^rd parties and especially to our customers.

The first design principle we applied was that the API shouldn’t be developed for another developer, it should be developed so that a competent IT professional or implementer could consume the interface.  This principle ensures that we don’t make assumptions about who will be consuming the interface and a good test to ensure that the interface is a simple as possible (but no simpler).

The second design principle is that the API should be intelligent and not pedantic in terms of the calls into the API (for instance demanding a different call to add information versus amending information or refusing data based on lazy or pedantic rules).  If the new data requires the creation of associated or dependent information the API can automatically create this on the fly rather than simply failing. This simplifies the work for 3^rd parties whilst reducing both manual entry and lazy rejection of data.

The third design principle was that the API should be easy to configure, so that if requirements change (e.g. some information previously sent IS no longer required) the API can ignore the data without the need for changes by the 3^rd party. This ensures that the interface is flexible, and our solution can adapt to changes in data without the need for either the 3^rd party or the interface to change. It builds in flexibility.

These 3 guiding principles enable a paradigm shift and focus all the intelligent development work within our solution making it simple to integrate from a 3^rd party perspective. It turns integration on its head by making “integration our problem” rather than “Some Else’s Problem” and this changes the mindset with the result that issues are tackled and eliminated from the get go.

This approach rapidly increases integration time, reduces the need for testing and 3^rd party development work. It also means that with a simplified approach to web services we can easily integrate legacy/on-premise third party products even if they are csv based using our rapid scripts that convert these into web service calls.

hfx announce MHR Integration

HFX, a leading provider of SaaS flexitime and workforce management solutions, has successfully integrated its products with those of HR and Payroll experts MHR.  The integration has been developed using HFX’s Imperago RapiD methodology which provides a simple, fast and effective way to achieve deep bi-directional data transfer seamlessly via cloud APIs, eradicating the need for dual keying of data whilst keeping data secure and synchronised across platforms.

The integration means customers can benefit from a best of breed solution which combines HFX’s workforce management functions for managing staff working hours from shift pattern design, access control, and time & attendance with MHR’s market leading iTrent solution for HR, absence management and payroll, resulting in a more seamless user experience.

Nick Whiteley, Managing Director and Chief Solutions Officer at HFX explained: “One of our core values at HFX is to ‘simplify’. We follow this simplify principle vigorously within our cloud solution, resulting in 80% reduction in integration and implementation time. This means that our joint customers have a much shorter time to value when implementing our solutions.”

Anton Roe, Chief Executive Officer at MHR responded; “We’re delighted to join forces with HFX to deliver a fully integrated cloud solution which harnesses the power of our iTrent system.  Their easy to access API and straightforward approach to working with 3^rd party products has ensured that the integration process has been fast and efficient, and ultimately our joint customers will benefit.”

Imperago RapiD

Based on three design principles, Imperago RapiD reduces integration times significantly with:

• APIs designed for consumption by a competent IT professional or implementer, ensuring it is as simple as possible, but not simpler.
• APIs that are intelligent when collecting data with automated, on-the-fly handling of associated or dependent data, reducing work for third parties and reducing manual entry and rejection of data.
• APIs that are easy to configure, so that should requirements change, the API can ignore data no longer required, ensuring that the interface remains flexible.

For more information contact us

About MHR

MHR UK & Ireland is a specialist provider of HR and payroll software and services, helping organisations of all shapes and sizes to strengthen their core – their people. MHR combines the stability, expertise and proven methodologies of a long-established provider, with the innovative forward-thinking vision of an agile growing business, to provide a winning partnership to its customers and employees.

Across the fields of talent management, HR, payroll and business analytics, over a 1000 companies, from SMEs to large multi-national corporates, rely on us to help them drive performance. Customers include; Admiral, Cafcass, Sytner, Signet Group, Nandos, Laing O’Rourke, Wessex Water, University of Reading, Caterpillar UK, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Salvation Army, The British Transport Police and more.

mhr.co.uk

About HFX 

HFX cloud suite includes Imperago™ Time and Attendance, Access Control, Workforce Design, Annualised Hours and EveryOneCloud Attendance Monitoring/Location Management.

HFX Imperago solutions provide seamless integration with major HR and payroll systems. Highly customisable, HFX Imperago solutions can be configured to meet exact requirements and can support unlimited numbers of work patterns.

HFX is the leading provider of flextime™ in the UK.  Used by over 1400 customers across the UK, local authorities, other public sector bodies and commercial organisations benefiting from HFX solutions include: Home Office, Merck, Methodist Church, Dartmoor National Park, Adidas, Buhler Sortex Ltd, The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), Eaton Limited, MoD, National Farmers’ Union, Hertsmere Borough Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Exeter City Council, Isle of Man Government, MoJ, Met Police, Flintshire County Council, Office for National Statistics, UK Intellectual Property Office, NHS Business Services Authority, Science and Technology Facilities Council.

hfx sponsors the art of performance

Hfx is delighted to announce that it has partnered with the Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School and will be a Platinum Corporate Sponsor of the Hackney Empire Gala Variety Performance show this September.

The show is an annual event which showcases talent from the Anna Fiorentini School and annually attracts over 1,200 attendees at its event. The event is the culmination of extensive arts training and confidence building of the students aged between 4 to 18 years old.

Anna Fiorentini, founder and head of the school explains “our focus is building children’s confidence whilst developing their skills in the creative arts and recently we have received funding from the Big Lottery to extend this mission into schools with our anti-bullying programme”.

The school has won many awards including a Princess Trust Business of London Award with Anna herself winning Inspirational Leader / Business Person in the Camden and Islington Business Awards in 2012.

Nick Whiteley (CEO, hfx), commented “hfx are excited to be sponsoring this year’s event.  We share the values and professionalism exhibited by the school and its mission to bring out the best in every child using arts as a creative and expressive vehicle to develop students self-confidence”

About hfx

hfx is a leading supplier of next generation cloud and SaaS workforce management solutions including Flexitime, Time and Attendance, Workforce Optimisation, Annualised Hours, 3d Rostering, Access Control and Visitor Registration.

With over 45 years’ experience and 1,400 customers we deliver solutions that improve staff retention, reduce staff attrition, lateness, absence and overtime, remove admin and paperwork, increase productivity whilst eliminating error and fraud.

Our customers include: Home Office, Merck, Methodist Church, Dartmoor National Park, Adidas, Buhler Sortex Ltd, The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), Eaton Limited, MoD, National Farmers’ Union, Hertsmere Borough Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Exeter City Council, Isle of Man Government, MoJ, Met Police, Flintshire County Council, Office for National Statistics, UK Intellectual Property Office, NHS Business Services Authority, Science and Technology Facilities Council.

About The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School

The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School was established in 2001 as a Prince’s Trust Business to enable 4 to 18-year-olds to access professional performing arts training regardless of financial background, race or disability.

Thanks to its charitable arm the Fiorentini Foundation and various fundraising events organised by the school itself hundreds of children have been able to receive bursaries to attend and in turn have gained in confidence, self-esteem and life skills.

Via the Fiorentini Agency students have gone on to land leading roles in film, TV and on stage, including Belinda Owusu, (Libby Fox in EastEnders) Orla Hill (Song for Marion and Swallows & Amazons), Tahj Miles (Simba in the West End’s The Lion King, Nipper in Oliver! and CBBC’s Class Dismissed) and Jermain Jackman, who won The Voice UK 2014 shortly after winning Fiorentini’s Got Talent.

The school now has branches across Greenwich, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Camden, a performance troupe that tours to hospitals, care homes and at various corporate events. In 2014 Anna Fiorentini launched Stage & the City; after work performing arts classes for adults that wish to have fun as well as learn new skills for personal or career development. All profits from this new venture go to the Fiorentini Foundation.

Founder and principal Anna Fiorentini says “having grown up on a Hackney council estate with very few opportunities in my local area, drama school gave me the confidence and self-belief to start my own business and grow it to this level. Access to the arts should be available to everyone, irrespective of their background or circumstance and that is why the work of the school is so important to me, creating the opportunity for children to get the same benefits as I did even if their parents do not have the means to send them along.”

For more information and sponsorship opportunities contact hello@annafiorentini.com or telephone 07779 125 095

www.annafiorentini.com

www.annafiorentini.com/file/donation-rewards-corporate-sponsorship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hfx awarded G-Cloud 10

hfx are proud to announce our approval onto the G-Cloud 10 procurement framework which allows public sector organisations to quickly and easily procure proven cloud solutions and services without the costs and delays involved in standard procurement processes. Not only does G-CLOUD reduce costs and delays, but it enables modern public sector organisations to on-board agile and effective solutions that empower them to rapidly transform their organisations, adapt to change and take advantage of proven technology in the workplace. hfx previously were awarded G-Cloud 8 and 9 and have been providing flexitime and access control solutions to the public sector for over 40 years.

Contact us for more information