Topal’s Shift From Legacy Payroll to Scalable HR Technology With VOLO
Executive Summary
Project at a Glance
Topal’s legacy payroll system was slowing down operations with manual imports, rigid workflows, and growing compliance risks under GDPR. VOLO stepped in to replatform payroll as a secure, cloud-based SaaS with automation, compliance-by-design, and employee self-service. The result is a scalable, Swiss labor law–ready solution that not only streamlines payroll but also integrates natively with a custom-branded HR suite, giving Topal a future-proof foundation for growth.
About the Client
Topal is a Swiss software company known for its accounting and payroll products for small and medium-sized businesses. The company has a long reputation for reliability and compliance across the DACH region.
With more businesses moving to cloud software and stricter data regulations taking effect, Topal decided to replace its desktop payroll system with one that could meet new expectations and support long-term growth.
The Challenge
Topal’s desktop payroll software was no longer keeping up with client needs. Payroll teams had to import data from Excel and fix errors by hand. The user interface was dated, and even small changes took time. Employees couldn’t see their payslips or salary data without going through an administrator.
Meanwhile, compliance requirements continued to grow. Swiss labor law updates and GDPR enforcement made it difficult for legacy systems to stay current. Topal needed a modern payroll platform that automated repetitive tasks, met all regulatory standards, and could scale with client growth.
Key Challenges
- Manual data handling and frequent human errors
- Outdated interface and rigid workflows
- No self-service access for employees
- Increasing compliance pressure under Swiss and GDPR standards
- Limited scalability for future product growth
For Topal, the challenge wasn’t just modernizing outdated software; it was protecting trust and staying competitive in a fast-changing market.
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Talk to an ExpertOur Solution
VOLO partnered with Topal to rebuild payroll from the ground up as a multi-tenant cloud-native SaaS platform. The project focused on compliance, reliability, and long-term flexibility.
The engagement began with a detailed review of Swiss payroll rules, GDPR requirements, and canton-level tax variations. Instead of reusing legacy code, VOLO created a new architecture that combined automation, data security, and user-friendly design.
Cloud-Native Payroll Core
VOLO implemented a multi-tenant architecture using the Microsoft technology stack. Each client’s data is isolated and encrypted to protect privacy and ensure high availability. This approach eliminated on-premise limitations and allows for faster releases, lower maintenance, and predictable performance for thousands of SME customers across Switzerland
Modern Admin Console and Employee Portal
A redesigned admin console gives payroll teams complete visibility into every payroll run. Employees can now log in to a secure self-service portal to access payslips, salary history, and tax documents. These features reduce support tickets, remove the need for intermediaries, and make payroll data easily accessible to both teams and staff.
Full Payroll Automation
All major steps, data import, validation, salary calculation, reconciliation, and exception handling, were automated. Automation replaced repetitive manual work, reducing the chance of errors and allowing payroll teams to close each cycle faster and more accurately.
Integration, Security, and Migrationt
The new platform includes APIs and connectors for Swiss banks, ERP systems, and HR tools, supporting webhooks and single sign-on. Security measures such as encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access, tenant isolation, and audit trails ensure full GDPR compliance.
A migration toolkit was created to validate and import historical data while running parallel tests, minimizing disruption for existing clients during the transition.
Swiss Compliance Engine
VOLO developed a dedicated compliance engine that handles Swiss-specific rules, including AHV/AVS, ALV, BVG/LPP, UVG, Quellensteuer, and cross-border cases. Regulatory changes are built directly into version-controlled rule tables, so the system always operates with the latest legal standards and produces audit-ready reports without extra work from administrators.
The Impact
Topal’s new payroll system now runs fully in the cloud with Swiss labor law and GDPR compliance built in. It connects directly with the company’s HR suite, enabling payroll teams and employees to work in a single environment.
Manual imports and third-party tools are no longer needed. Automated payroll runs now check, calculate, and validate data without constant supervision. This reduces errors, lowers operational risk, and allows teams to focus more on support and planning.
Employees can view payslips, salary history, and tax records in a secure online portal. What used to require several requests or emails now takes only a few clicks. Support tickets have dropped, and payroll cycles follow a steady monthly rhythm. Canton-level and cross-border payroll rules are processed automatically by the compliance engine. Each rule set is versioned by date, so regulatory updates can be applied quickly, and past records remain fully auditable.
Key Takeaways
Time Saved Through Automation
Manual tasks were replaced with reliable, automated workflows.
Employees in Control
Self-service access improved transparency and reduced admin load.
Ready to Grow
The system’s cloud foundation supports future product expansion.
Compliance Built In
Swiss labor and GDPR rules are handled directly in the system.
Complex Rules Made Simple
Canton-level and cross-border cases are managed automatically.
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