DEV RRM - Alxemy

Alxemy undertakes a Sky-high payroll project

by DEV RRM | May 20, 2025 | Case Study

With a vision to strengthen their HR recruitment systems and employee experience, Sky TV New Zealand engaged ELMO, an HR and payroll solution provider to strengthen their talent acquisition capabilities, remuneration, performance management and succession in addition to refining their financial control systems

Once the implementation got underway, complexities of the project came to lightas the scope expanded, and feedback from the payroll team indicated unanticipated challenges mixing their new HR solution with their current payroll provider, PayGlobal during transition. Furthermore, the new payroll solution accompanying ELMO HR, brought with it some challenges of its own.

To minimise the risks they brought Alxemy onboard to support the implementation project and bolster Sky TV’s internal resources, affording them the ability to manage both BAU as well as the implementation project.

Alxemy proved a perfect payroll partner for Sky New Zealand – and continue to be – because they:

Have extensive project management skills and expertise industry wide.
Have the ability to work through and around the complexities of a large enterprise level system integration project, streamlining HR and payroll processes.
Could advocate for Sky New Zealand and develop a new business continuity plan to future-proof Sky’s payroll processes.

The project’s end result? Sky New Zealand now have their HR and payroll systems collaborating seamlessly with one another, and have cemented an ongoing relationship with Alxemy.

A solution that ticks all the boxes

Sky New Zealand has a head count of over 600 people. As a national broadcaster, providing media services countrywide, and employing a range of full time & part time staff and contractors, having a centralised, efficient, and compliant HR and payroll platform in place was a must.

With a robust solution they would be able to attract talent, manage workflows more efficiently and meet the needs of their people, all the while simplifying HR & payroll processes across the board.
Knowing this, Sky New Zealand went out to market to find a solution that met all their requirements. After an in-depth selection process, they chose ELMO as a full end to end solution in HR.

Seeking a trusted hand

As can be the case, with enterprise level system implementation projects, there can be unexpected complexities along the way. These complexities can become amplified and extensive when you add the integration of multiple systems to the scope.

With a small internal team managing the project, Sky New Zealand recognised early on that they were not going to be able to do this themselves. And so it was that they sought external expertise to smoothen the journey and ensure compliance, alongside a streamlining of processes.

Alxemy steps in as Sky’s payroll partner

Because of their strong reputation, Sky’s Head of People Operations Property & Safety, Alex Howieson, reached out to the team at Alxemy for payroll support.

Working in tandem with Sky’s Payroll Manager Anu Balasooriya, Alxemy and Sky worked closely with the team, actioning agreement requirements and adjustments in accordance with Sky’s business processes.

Over several months the Alxemy team implemented and executed systematic manual workarounds to address any calculations and processes for which the system did not cater, and worked internally to assist the payroll team with payroll two-days a fortnight.

As part of the project, Alxemy also assisted with delivering:

a greement requirements
reporting for the finance team
streamlining of all payroll processes
automation of processes where possible

Alxemy didn’t just sign off on project completion, today they continue to provide payroll support when required.

Future-proofing payroll for Sky

Trust and exceptional service resonated across the project. Sky’s Head of People Operations Peroprty & Safety, Alex Howison was highly impressed with Alxemy’s professionalism – their service culture an essential key to project success.

“Alxemy went above and beyond the call of duty and superseded our expectations,” says Alex. “Their profound expertise, exceptional organisational qualities continue to serve us beyond implementation. I can’t identify any areas for them to improve upon.”

And the trust and understanding between Sky and Alxemy has expanded beyond individuals to a companywide relationship.

“We now have streamlined processes, a business continuity plan, and Alxemy are helping us two-days every fortnight which means our payroll manager now has the ability and confidence to take time off. We’re in a safe pair of hands.”

Conclusion

Sky New Zealand now benefits from a robust, streamlined, and compliant HR and payroll system, with Alxemy continuing to provide invaluable support. This partnership not only resolved immediate challenges but also equipped Sky with the tools and systems needed for long-term success.

Avoiding the Pitfalls: Why Strategic System Advice Could Save Your Next HR/Payroll Implementation

by DEV RRM | May 8, 2025 | Article

A mid-sized organisation spent months planning for a new payroll and HR system. The RFP went out, vendors lined up, demos were slick, and the project kicked off with confidence. But by go-live, reality hit hard. The system didn’t match how the business actually worked. Workarounds piled up, new admin staff had to be hired, and teams were left frustrated and overwhelmed.

It’s a familiar story – and one that could have been avoided.

Too often, businesses rush into system selection without stepping back to ask the bigger questions:

What do we really need?
How will this fit into our wider ecosystem?
What’s the long-term plan?

That’s where strategic system advice makes all the difference.

Before You Choose a System…

Avoid the common traps. Start here instead:

Think strategy first. Define your goals before looking at software
Don’t rush the RFP. Align internally before vendors get involved
Map your ecosystem. Consider how everything connects (rostering, finance, compliance, etc.)
Stay vendor-neutral. Get independent advice that puts your needs first
Build with confidence. Avoid rework by designing around your business from day one

Good systems don’t just look good; they fit. That’s the power of early, strategic advice.

The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

When system implementations go wrong, the impact is never limited to IT. It spreads across departments, processes, and people:

Lost time spent evaluating, implementing, and ultimately reworking the solution
Budget blowouts from change requests, additional staffing, and delays
Internal disruption, with teams stuck using systems that don’t suit their needs
Strategic setbacks , as business transformation goals fall flat

Worse still, some organisations go live with systems they know aren’t working – because it’s too late to turn back.

But here’s the thing: many of these costly outcomes are entirely preventable with the right support – before you go to market.

Why Executives Need Strategic System Advice – Before They Go to Market

When system implementations go wrong, the impact is never limited to IT. It spreads across departments, processes, and people:

Choosing a new payroll, HCM, or workforce management system is a high-stakes decision. These platforms underpin your compliance, employee experience, reporting, and operational efficiency.

Executive teams often underestimate just how complex these decisions can be. Without clear visibility into system limitations, market options, or how different platforms align with their business strategy, it’s easy to head down the wrong path. That’s where strategic system advice comes in.

Independent, vendor-agnostic guidance at the outset helps you:

Clarify your real requirements and success criteria
Understand your existing system landscape and technical debt
Align internal stakeholders before engaging vendors
Avoid getting swept up in the sales pitch for a system that won’t deliver long-term value

“You don’t want a new system – you want better outcomes.”

Common Mistakes That Derail System Projects

Without strategic planning upfront, businesses often fall into the same traps:

1. Rushing into an RFP process

Teams are under pressure to move fast – but launching an RFP without defined requirements or a robust business case is a recipe for misalignment.

2. Prioritising the shiny over the strategic

It’s easy to be sold on a sleek interface or a long feature list. But good design means nothing if the system doesn’t handle local compliance requirements or complex leave calculations.

3. Chasing the “all-in-one” dream

There’s a common assumption that one platform can do everything better. In reality, “all-in-one” often means trade-offs across critical areas. For some organisations, a best-of-breed approach may be a better fit – if it’s mapped correctly.

4. Forgetting the bigger picture

HCM systems never operate in isolation. They must integrate with rostering, finance, reporting, recruitment, learning management, and more. Without ecosystem thinking, organisations find themselves trapped in silos or reliant on fragile manual workarounds.

What Strategic Advice from Alxemy Covers

Strategic system advice isn’t about picking a product – it’s about designing a smarter path forward.

System Landscape Reviews
We help you understand your current systems, what’s working, what’s not, and where technical debt may be creating risk.
Fit-for-Purpose Assessments
We go beyond feature lists to evaluate whether a system will actually solve your organisation’s pain points.
Ecosystem Thinking
We look at the whole picture: how any new system will interact with your other tools, departments, and workflows.
Strategic Roadmapping
We help you define what needs to be done now, what can wait, and what to avoid – saving you time, budget, and headaches down the line.

–The Value of Vendor-Agnostic Advice

When it comes to system selection, neutrality matters. At Alxemy, we don’t sell on commission or push a preferred platform. Our role is to help you make the best decision for your organisation – based purely on your needs, not someone else’s sales target.

We bring independent, strategic thinking to the table. That means:

Clear guidance based on your goals and system landscape
Honest assessments of vendor claims and limitations
Confidence to walk away from poor-fit options – even the shiny ones

In a space crowded with noise and pressure, neutral advice cuts through. It helps you see past the marketing, weigh up the trade-offs, and choose a solution that genuinely works for your people, processes, and future plans.

Because choosing the right system isn’t about brand names – it’s about business fit.

“It’s never just about the system. It’s about how well that system supports your people, your processes, and your business goals. That’s the difference strategy makes.”

How This Advice Changes the Game

When it comes to system selection, neutrality matters. At Alxemy, we don’t sell on commission or push a preferred platform. Our role is to help you make the best decision for your organisation, based purely on your needs, not someone else’s sales target.

Engaging strategic advice before you go to market shifts the entire trajectory of your system implementation.

Rather than reacting to vendor proposals or forcing your business to fit a product, you lead with clarity: knowing exactly what you need, where you’re heading, and what success looks like long term. That alignment creates ripple effects:

Faster decisions, with everyone on the same page from day one
Less friction across teams, with HR, finance, IT, and operations aligned
Stronger vendor management, driven by a clear brief and firm priorities
Smoother implementation, with realistic expectations and fewer surprises
Minimal rework, because your system is designed for you; not someone else

When the groundwork is solid, implementation stops being firefighting, and starts being transformation.

That’s the power of getting it right early.

Thinking about a new system? Already planning an RFP?

Wherever you are in the process, Alxemy’s Strategic System Advice gives you the clarity, confidence, and structure to get it right from the start.

What you get:

✔️ Fixed pricing – no surprises
✔️ Independent advice – based on your needs, not sales targets
✔️ Real-world experience – across leading payroll, HCM, and workforce systems

Visit the Strategic System Advice page or get in touch for a no-pressure chat about your plans.

Key Takeaways

Start with strategy, not software: Understanding your needs early helps avoid poor-fit systems and costly rework later.
Look beyond the RFP: Clear goals and internal alignment matter more than a polished feature list.
Think ecosystem-wide: Every system choice impacts finance, rostering, compliance, and more – plan for the bigger picture.
Stay vendor-neutral: Independent advice helps you cut through sales noise and focus on what works for you.