SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) and Somerset Council today announced the successful implementation of SAP SuccessFactors as part of the council’s wider Inspiring Innovation transformation programme, modernising its HR and payroll operations and creating a stronger foundation for future improvement.

Like many councils across the country, Somerset Council faces increasing demand for services alongside significant financial challenges. To respond to these pressures, the council launched Inspiring Innovation, a long-term transformation programme designed to modernise how the organisation works, make better use of technology and data, and simplify processes. The programme also aims to support a culture of continuous improvement and ultimately deliver better services for residents.

The SAP SuccessFactors implementation is a key milestone in that programme, providing a modern workforce platform that will help improve workforce management, decision-making and the employee experience.

Delivered in partnership with HR and payroll specialists EPI-USE, the implementation has transformed the way workforce information is managed across the organisation, bringing HR, payroll, recruitment and onboarding processes together into a single modern platform.  This gives colleagues and managers easier access to information, supports more consistent processes and enables better workforce planning and more informed decision-making.

Andy Kennell, Service Director for ICT at Somerset Council, said, “Moving from a highly customised SAP system that had been in place for 17 years to a modern platform in just 13 months, on time and within budget, is a significant achievement. It demonstrates our ability to deliver complex transformation at pace while providing value for money for Somerset residents. By adopting standard processes, we are reducing complexity today while creating greater opportunities for automation and AI in the future.”

The implementation includes SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central, Employee Central Payroll, Recruiting and Onboarding. Rather than recreating the highly customised environment it replaced, the project prioritised adopting standard capabilities wherever possible, reducing complexity and risk while improving resilience and making future enhancements easier to deliver.

The phased implementation enabled a largely seamless transition for approximately 8,500 employees, minimising disruption to day-to-day operations while introducing new ways of working.

Alongside the technology implementation, Somerset Council invested significantly in organisational readiness, training and employee support, helping colleagues develop the skills and confidence needed to work effectively in a modern digital environment.

Krishna Mangipudi, Associate Partner, EPI-USE, said, “Successfully delivering a programme of this scale within 13 months is a significant achievement, particularly in a complex local government environment. What stands out is the council’s focus on simplification and long-term improvement rather than technology alone. Our PRISM acceleration tools helped reduce risk and maintain pace. By adopting standard processes and investing in organisational readiness, Somerset has created a strong platform for future transformation and service improvement.”

With the platform now in place, the council will focus on realising the benefits of the programme through improved workforce insight, simpler processes and greater efficiency. It will also continue to strengthen the systems and ways of working that support its wider Inspiring Innovation ambitions, help deliver better services for residents and explore future opportunities for automation and AI.

Leila Romane, Managing Director, SAP UKI, said, “Councils are under growing pressure to modernise critical systems while demonstrating value, resilience and effective governance. Somerset Council has shown how simplifying and modernising workforce systems, with the right approach and partners, can improve decision-making, the employee experience and operational efficiency. The new platform also puts the council in a stronger position to take advantage of AI opportunities in the future.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.sap.com/uk