My guest on the podcast this episode is Uwe Klappich, Cluster Lead New Payroll Technology at SD Worx.
A year ago, in episode 7, Buddy, the new real-time payroll system, was still in development. Now, Buddy is live and comes with a smart AI assistant.
In this episode, we discuss developments since the last episode, take a look at the live demo and talk about the future of payroll, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The interview with Uwe Klappich/SD Worx
Sabine: Mr Klappich, we last spoke on the podcast a year ago. At that time, Buddy was still in development. What is the situation today, and what is Buddy’s current status?
Uwe Klappich: Yes, back then it was just an idea, but now Buddy is being used in pilot projects. We are testing it with selected customers, and the feedback has been very positive. Real-time payroll accounting in particular offers significant advantages.
Sabine: You have also now developed an AI assistant for Buddy. What exactly can it do?
Uwe Klappich: The AI assistant is like an intelligent payroll helper. It can answer questions, guide processes and independently transfer data into the system. In this episode, we will also demonstrate how it works with a short live demo.
Sabine: Many companies are still cautious when it comes to AI. In Germany, in particular, the immediate response is: ‘Data protection!’ However, without data, there can be no AI, and data protection is mandatory. How do you ensure that Buddy remains GDPR-compliant?
Uwe Klappich: You’re absolutely right – data protection is a sensitive issue. Our AI assistant runs on the SD Worx cloud. This means that data remains secure, and we comply with strict European regulations and guarantee the highest standards. Customers can rely on that.
Sabine: SD Worx Buddy is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We still see a lot of manual work in that area: Excel spreadsheets or even paper. Why are SMEs so far behind in terms of digitalisation and AI, and how can Buddy help?
Uwe Klappich: Many SMEs are put off by the complexity and costs of traditional systems. With Buddy, we aim to reduce these barriers by offering a solution that is simple to operate and has an integrated AI assistant, and is specifically designed for SMEs. This enables even the smallest companies to benefit directly from automation and AI.
Conclusion:
Buddy is here, and with its new AI assistant, SD Worx is taking an important step towards the future of payroll accounting. SMEs in particular could benefit enormously, as processes will become simpler, faster and more accurate.
It’s worth listening to!
Episode 12 is available in full on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube and Amazon Music!
Prefer to watch? Watch the full live demo in the YouTube video on my podcast page or on Spotify as a video.
Do you want to modernise your payroll processes or introduce new systems, but don’t know where to start?
I can support you in a variety of ways, including as a consultant, project manager or sparring partner, drawing on my experience, structured approach and clear communication skills. Get in touch!
