A Partnership for Efficiency
At ElevateHR, we believe that every successful implementation begins with a strong partnership. Our recent collaboration with Cosmos Limited, one of the most respected pharmaceutical manufacturers in the region, is a testament to what can be achieved when technology meets intentional customisation. Together, we embarked on a 45-day journey to streamline payroll and leave management, ensuring the system addressed the realities of a dynamic and complex industry.
About Cosmos Ltd: A Leader in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Cosmos Ltd is a well-established pharmaceutical manufacturer, producing high-quality human and veterinary medicines. With decades of experience and a commitment to world-class standards, the company plays a vital role in ensuring access to safe and effective medicines across Africa. Operating in the manufacturing sector, Cosmos manages large-scale operations that involve diverse employee groups, rigorous compliance needs, and continuous production cycles. This makes HR operations - especially payroll and leave management - particularly complex and business-critical.
The Challenge: Complexity in Manufacturing HR Processes
Manufacturing organisations like Cosmos face a unique set of HR challenges:
- Large and diverse workforce spread across shifts.
- Complex payroll computations with varying allowances, deductions, and compliance requirements.
- A need for precise leave management to maintain productivity while ensuring fairness.
- High demand for accurate, timely, and detailed HR reports for both management and compliance bodies.
Cosmos needed a solution that could go beyond “standard software” and truly adapt to the nuances of a manufacturing workforce.
The Journey: 45 Working Days of Collaboration and Customisation
From day one, our approach was collaborative and intentional. We did not simply deploy a system; instead, we invested time to understand the day-to-day challenges and expectations at Cosmos. Working hand-in-hand with their team, we:
- Mapped out Payroll and Leave workflows in detail.
- Understood reporting requirements from both operations and compliance perspectives.
- Prioritised flexibility so the system could adapt as needs evolve.
Through this approach, we successfully implemented ElevateHR’s SaaS platform in just 45 working days - a record that underscores the efficiency of collaboration and clear communication.
Key Features Delivered: Just a snapshot of the many features available.
The solution we co-created with Cosmos includes:
• Tailored Payroll Management. Automating payroll processes while ensuring statutory compliance and accuracy. The payroll module goes beyond basic calculations by accommodating multiple deductions, benefits, and allowances, including those with tax limits and specific tax implementation rules. It is not just a system, but a practical tool that guides users as they set up and manage payroll items, with rules and validations built directly into the user interface.
• Streamlined Leave Management. Transparent workflows with supervisor involvement at every approval stage, making processes efficient, accountable, and easy to track.
• Documents and Contracts Management. Centralised storage and control of employee contracts, policies, and supporting records for easy retrieval and compliance assurance.
• Nested Departmental Trees. A clear and flexible organisational structure that mirrors complex reporting lines and departmental hierarchies.
• Bulk Upload Options. Available across nearly all data-driven features, including employee records, payroll items, benefits, deductions, allowances, contracts, and leave entitlements. This ensures speed, accuracy, and efficiency when managing large datasets.
• Robust Customisations. Flexibility across all modules and features, ensuring the platform adapts to the detailed operational requirements unique to Cosmos.
• Dynamic Reporting Tools. Powerful and customizable reports that support compliance, audits, and data-driven decision-making.
• Employee Self Service. A core pillar of the solution is giving employees direct access to their own information, requests, and approvals. The web portal ensures accessibility from any workstation, while the mobile applications for iOS and Android bring human resource services directly into the hands of employees on the go. This empowers staff to manage their own profiles, leave requests, and payslips anytime, anywhere—reducing dependency on human resource teams and significantly improving employee engagement.
These features were not just implemented. They were co-designed and customised to fit Cosmos’ exact needs. With employee self-service at the centre, the platform is not only scalable and user-friendly but also ensures both management and employees benefit from an accessible, efficient, and future-ready system.
The Impact: Simplifying HR for a Complex Industry
The result is a platform that not only simplifies processes but also empowers management and HR teams to focus on people rather than paperwork. By automating routine tasks and providing clarity through reports, the system enhances compliance, decision-making, and overall operational efficiency in an industry where precision is non-negotiable. Beyond HR and payroll automation, employees also benefit from a robust Employee Self Service (ESS) provision, available both on web and through mobile apps for iOS and Android - ensuring accessibility, convenience, and engagement anytime, anywhere.
Looking Ahead: Building on a Strong Foundation
The successful rollout at Cosmos Ltd demonstrates how ElevateHR continues to partner with organisations in complex industries to deliver meaningful impact. As manufacturing and pharmaceuticals evolve, so too will the needs of HR and payroll management. With this strong foundation, both management and employees are now well-positioned to scale, adapt, and continue driving success together, supported by a modern ESS that brings HR closer to everyone.
