South African-based Net1 Mobile Solutions (“N1MS”), a business unit of Net1 UEPS Technologies, and its third party payment business FIHRST, have announced several innovations in its human resources and payroll processing products and services.
The newly enhanced PayPlus is a ground-breaking service that allows employees to buy prepaid airtime, electricity and more at any time and from anywhere using their mobile phone. Built on Advance Value Service (“AVS”) technology, this enhanced version of PayPlus is the future of mobility within the payroll environment and works via USSD, which means every employee can access the services from any mobile phone.
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it offers all workers, especially those in rural areas or who work late shifts, an immediately accessible and convenient solution to buy electricity, airtime and more.
FIHRST Connect, the system trusted to process over R75 billion in payments annually, is being upgraded to a Cloud-based solution, WebConnect, that will give access to all of the existing Connect functionality from anywhere, at any time.
WebConnect enhances a payroll officer’s role by providing access to payroll data irrespective of their location or time of day. This reduces the need for time spent at the payroll officer’s desk on tedious tasks and makes the month-end process easier, simpler and faster.
FIHRST has been successfully processing garnishee orders on behalf of its clients for more than a decade. As part of its continued effort to enhance the payroll environment, it has partnered with legal firm Smit, Jones & Pratt (“SJP”), who will add a deeper level of legal participation to all garnishee orders.
“This partnership with FIHRST will ensure that any garnishee order is checked prior to implementation, and this then ensures that same is being paid correctly, and that the process is not being abused by external collectors or other attorneys,” says Kim Vermeulen, Senior Partner at SJP.
With 15 years of experience in the payroll industry, FIHRST understands its client’s operations, responsibilities and the need for products and services that enhance their payroll function. FIHRST is entrusted to handle over R6.3 billion in salary and wage payments each month, and clients expect it to provide a flawless service to their more than 600,000 employees.
“Webconnect, PayPlus and other mobile technologies are opening a world of innovation to HR professionals, enhancing the way payroll officers manage their day to day tasks,” says Philip Belamant, MD of N1MS.
“We envision a future for payroll in which employers are able to use mobile wallets to pay wages, whilst providing remotely accessible mobile platforms for employees to take an advance on their salaries or to purchase goods and services, such as prepaid airtime or electricity, either with money they already possess, or against future earnings if they are faced with an emergency.”
“N1MS and FIHRST are committed to harnessing the excitement and innovation of the mobile revolution and creating simple, practical solutions to everyday challenges for consumers and for employers,” adds Belamant.