When using software for work, the last thing anyone needs is to feel they have to be a certified expert just to carry out their tasks. Ease of use and flexibility are often overlooked qualities in business software, but they are priceless when they give staff the freedom to take care of their work quickly and easily.
Amundi is one of Europe's leading asset managers and ranks in the top 10 worldwide, with more than 2 trillion euros of assets under management. Headquartered in Paris, the group employs more than 5,000 people across the world. Its 400-strong operations in Dublin, Ireland provide support to the group, along with back-office functions and front-office investment professionals.
The company had been using a HR system for more than 10 years, but several obstacles had, over time, started to prevent it from getting the most out of the platform. One was its inflexibility: even making the smallest change involved a team from the software supplier coming on site and working with Amundi's IT and HR teams. The legacy system was visually dated and had limitations in how it handled data.
Together, these barriers were proving too hard to overcome, and Amundi decided to seek out a new provider that could offer a more flexible approach.
The company was directed to Grouper, which assigned Amundi a contact who was closely involved in the project management to migrate from the old HR system. Grouper also worked closely with Amundi to ensure the migration was compliant with the firm's IT policies.
"The implementation all went well. The Grouper team was always responsive and our account manager is diligent and on the ball, and flexible in terms of the time and help he's provided us," says Aoife Small, HR Business Partner at Amundi's Dublin office.
As a busy HR professional, she finds the speed of response and Grouper's flexibility in handling queries especially helpful. "Even now that the system is established, any time we send an email or have a query, they'll more than likely be back with a holding email within the hour," she says.
"Interactions are as frequent as we need them. I know I can pop an email to Grouper if required, and our contact is typically flexible to have quick calls to discuss. That availability is helpful," Aoife says.
"They're available for a call to troubleshoot and brainstorm, and if a certain feature or idea wasn't an option, they would give suggestions as to what might work as an alternative. Even if it's not the exact answer we're looking for, time is given to discuss and they are receptive to feedback on the product."
Amundi's Dublin office appreciates the system's straightforward interface, which makes it easier for team members to find what they need quickly. Payslips, time-off records, and personal details are all available in one location, reducing the number of queries HR receives from employees about their own data.
Grouper has continued to work with Amundi to explore additional features of the platform. When new HR processes are needed, the Grouper team is available to advise on the best configuration to meet the business's requirements. This ongoing collaborative relationship has been central to Amundi getting value from its HR platform investment.
