A locally-developed human resources (HR) and talent management system, Piilo, is ready to go live in the cloud – and has already garnered interest from both local and global companies looking to implement the cost-effective solution. 
Phil Lotter, CEO of Piilo, explains that the system is built on the Microsoft Azure platform and allows companies to choose as many or as few modules as they need, paying only for what they use.
“We think software in the cloud should be like Lego, with companies able to choose what modules they want, and how many users they want – buying only what they require,” he says.
Piilo is launching with eight modules, but will add more in the coming months. The current modules are: performance management; performance improvement; career and skills development; employee data management; time management; leave management; contract management; and disciplinary action.
The payment model is very flexible, says Lotter, with companies paying a monthly rate per module. Rates are calculated on a sliding scale, from R14.00 per module per month to R9.00 per module per month.
“We are focussed on providing an easy, practical tool that is affordable for any company,” he says. Importantly, the system is intuitive enough that users don’t need to be HR experts to get benefit from it.
Within the next three to five years, Lotter plans for Piilo to have been translated into a number of other languages – there could be a French version as soon as this year – and to be present in up to 35 countries.
The major benefit of a cloud-based solution like Piilo, he says, is that smaller companies can now have access to the same functionality that enterprises enjoy without the capital outlay.
“Plus cloud computing brings other benefits, like 24/7 access, business continuity, disaster recovery, and no physical infrastructure to be maintained,” Lotter says.
Cloud computing also offers users mobility, as well as seamless upgrades and version control.
The system can also be used on a variety of devices, from desktop and notebook computers to tablets. Lotter says a full smartphone version will also be available soon.
Although Piilo is launching the system commercially this week, it already has a number of customers running pilot projects, both in South Africa and in the rest of Africa. In fact, there are already 600 users on the system.
Lotter says the African market offers a number of opportunities for solutions like Piilo.
“It is an African solution that understands the African context where simplicity and flexibility are important.”
Piilo consists of a team of 12 people, based mostly in Cape Town. Lotter explains that the company uses an insource/outsource model for development.