The Softworld HR & Payroll Annual Forum takes place at the NEC from 17 – 18 October 2001 and is an education focused extension of the main Softworld event, which took place in February of this year.

The event is unique in the fact that the exhibition is capped to a maximum of 15 key players, all of which have the same size stand, ensuring that the focus of the event is on the high quality product offerings, rather than the size and scale of the stands. Key players confirmed at this stage include SOS Software, Chrystal HRS, Prolog4, Frontier Software, Selima Software, Snowdrop Systems, Rebus HR, Northgate Information Solutions and Microsoft Great Plains.

An educational programme comprising vendor seminars, breakfast briefing and masterclass sessions accompanies the exhibition. Led by leading consultancies, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG, as well as blue-chip companies, the sessions cover the latest issues affecting the market, offering delegates impartial advice and information. The programme has been divided into HR and pay specific sessions with a dedicated masterclass theatre for each.

The masterclass sessions are as follows:

• Day One

  
  Human Resources theatre
  This presentation is aimed at everyone involved in the selecting and implementing process (e.g. HR Directors, Finance Directors, IT Directors, Heads of e-Business and Project Managers) and will define the crucial factors you need to consider.

  Breakfast Briefing – BB1
  09.00 – 09.45 Selecting and implementing the right HR and Payroll system for your organisation

  • Determining your requirements
    
  • A look at the key decision making process
    
  • How to ensure your investment provides maximum ROI
    
  • How to avoid the common pitfalls!
  
  Dierdre Hardy, HR consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers

  
  For all Directors and Senior Level Managers involved in HR, this session will look at the role new technology can have on performance of your staff and how this will benefit the HR function.

  Masterclass – MC1
  13.00 – 13.45 Employee self-service – redressing the balance between employee and employer

  • How much information should be provided on-line?
    
  • Saving time and money – taking HR into a strategic role
    
  • Changing perceptions; incentivising your staff
    
  • Integrating ESS and HR systems
  
  Mary Sue Rogers, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

  
  Payroll Theatre
  This session is designed for senior level managers in HR and Payroll who would be responsible for implementing a new strategy or system, IT Directors/Managers who would manage the project and Directors who would need to understand the implications of such change.

  Breakfast Briefing – BB2
  09.00 – 09.45 Outsourcing and integrating HR and Payroll for beneficial business change.

  • Integrating systems for consistent information
    
  • Combining your HR and Payroll needs
    
  • ASP’s – Maintaining control, removing responsibility
    
  • Increasing the value of the HR and Payroll contribution to your organisation
  
  Grahame Russell, Principle Consultant, KPMG

  
  For those in the Payroll department, Payroll Managers, Supervisors hear how the latest developments in legislation will affect the Payroll function.

  Masterclass – MC2
  13.00 – 13.45 Review of recent & upcoming payroll legislative changes

  • Changes in the taxing of company cars
    
  • Statutory mileage rates for 2002
    
  • Changes in share schemes
    
  • Changes in the introduction of stakeholder pensions
    
  • Proposed changes in maternity & parental leave rights including changes in payment of statutory maternity pay
  
  Adrian Hobbs, Payroll Author, Gee Publishing Ltd

• Day Two

  Human Resources Theatre
  This presentation is aimed at everyone involved in the selecting and implementing process (e.g. HR Directors, Finance Directors, IT Directors, Heads of e-Business and Project Managers) and will define the crucial factors you need to consider.

  Breakfast Briefing – BB3
  09.00 – 09.45 Selecting and implementing the right HR and Payroll system for your organisation

  • Using technology to manage people
    
  • Common mistakes – How to avoid them!
    
  • A look at the latest market trends
    
  • How to ensure you select the right system for maximum ROI
  
  Steve Foster, Director, KPMG consulting

  
  For all those in the HR function wishing to explore the benefits of e-Learning, hear from the experiences of NCR in adopting such a system.

  Masterclass – MC3
  13.00 – 13.45 Case Study: e-Learning – the new challenges faced
   How can e-Learning deliver the support your staff needs?
   Does your organisation have the right technology infrastructure?
   What is the value – can you measure the effectiveness of e-Learning?
   A look at the technology available
  John Newton, Learning Design and Development Manager, NCR

  Payroll Theatre
  For anyone in Payroll and HR looking to integrate or outsource departments, this session will look at the advantages and disadvantages, the changing processes and internal relationships.

  Breakfast Briefing – BB4
  09.00 – 09.45 Integrating and outsourcing your HR and payroll functions

  • Combining data management with HR administration
    
  • Business process outsourcing, expanding the HR function
    
  • Unlocking new skills and capabilities
  
  Aya Kovesy, Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers

  
  This session will look at the effect technology can have on your organisation and how to manage the changing role of the workforce.

  Masterclass – MC4
  13.00 – 13.45 When worlds collide: aligning organisational culture to the challenges of globalisation and technological change

  • How globalisation and technological advance are changing workplace relationships
    
  • Managing the new power relations between the employee and the organisation
    
  • Softwiring the software: integrating people-based and technological solutions for increased competitiveness
  
  Helen Vandevelde, Business Consultant and writer on globalisation and the future of work

This year the event will run alongside Softworld Accounting & Finance, which is Europe’s leading software and e-Business event for the accounting and finance profession.

Pre-registered visitors will also receive a free copy of the Softworld Buyers Guide to HR & Payroll systems (worth £120) which is invaluable in helping to research the right business software. The guide contains white papers, case studies, opinion pieces and comprehensive corporate and product profiles for all of the exhibiting companies.

For more information or to pre-register, please visit: www.softworld.co.uk or telephone: 07000 763 896.