The Timken Company (NYSE:TKR) is moving its human resources (HR) system into the cloud to drive efficiency and improve productivity across its global workforce. The new system, implemented by Accenture (NYSE:ACN), is based on HR cloud solutions from SuccessFactors, an SAP company. It allows Timken to manage its workforce with a single set of global processes and clear global governance at a significantly lower operating and maintenance cost.

Timken is an industrial technology leader that designs, manufactures and markets mechanical components and high-performance steel to diversified markets around the world. The company recognized the need to more effectively manage its global workforce of approximately 19,000 associates across 28 countries and increase productivity while lowering the total cost of ownership of its HR systems. It looked to arm its HR department with a complete, end-to-end solution that brings together employee and company data, offers integrated reporting capabilities and provides advanced analytics for better business insight.

Key HR processes at Timken will run on SuccessFactors cloud solutions, taking advantage of their scalability and ease of use. As a result, all of the company’s 10,000 U.S. associates and 13,000 U.S. pensioners began receiving their pay through the SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll solution in January 2014. Accuracy of compensation data was increased by integrating the new system with the SAP ERP Financials solution.

“As part of a broader corporate initiative to enhance our global infrastructure, we needed to transform our HR function to better support the company’s continued growth,” said Ron Myers, vice president of Organizational Advancement (OA) Operations at Timken. “This implementation will enable us to simplify our HR processes, drive HR efficiency and ultimately optimize our company’s operations.”

“We chose SuccessFactors solutions for their easy implementation and integration into our existing SAP ERP systems, and Accenture for its deep HR processes expertise and SAP and SuccessFactors delivery capabilities,” added Rob Arbogast, director of OA Program Deployment at Timken. “Both companies offer solutions that allow us to make this transition to a new system seamlessly and with minimal disruption for our associates.”

As part of the engagement, Accenture and SAP also developed interfaces for vendors of time management and benefits solutions. These interfaces will help reduce the time, effort and budgets required for future implementations of HR cloud solutions from SAP and SuccessFactors.

“Moving its entire HR system into the cloud with SAP is allowing Timken to run its HR process in a shared service delivery model at significantly lower costs, which can contribute high value to the company’s business strategy and growth agenda,” said Christophe Mouille, managing director and global SAP business lead for Accenture. “The new system is transforming Timken’s HR business processes and provides the company with the talent management data to power its business in a global economy.”

Working closely with Accenture, Timken has successfully implemented the following solutions: SuccessFactors Employee Central, SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll, SuccessFactors Compensation, SuccessFactors Performance & Goals, SuccessFactors Learning, SuccessFactors Workforce Planning, SuccessFactors Succession & Development and SuccessFactors Workforce Analytics. The next wave of implementation will include SuccessFactors Recruiting Marketing and SuccessFactors Recruiting Management.

“A best-in-class HR suite linked to a defined business strategy will help global companies like Timken set themselves apart,” said Mike Ettling, global head of Cloud and On-Premise HR, SAP. “Timken is a great example of a forward-thinking global enterprise that is embracing this principle by creating a future proof HR organization designed to enable an engaged workforce that is fully aligned with its corporate strategy, putting them in the best position to compete and win in today’s competitive environment.”

To learn more about HR cloud solutions, visit the Human Resources area on sap.com. For more information, visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews.

About The Timken Company

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR), a global industrial technology leader, applies its deep knowledge of materials, friction management and power transmission to improve the reliability and efficiency of industrial machinery and equipment all around the world. The company engineers, manufactures and markets mechanical components and high-performance steel. Timken® bearings, engineered steel bars and tubes—as well as transmissions, gearboxes, chain, related products and services—support diversified markets worldwide. With sales of $4.3 billion in 2013 and approximately 19,000 people operating from 28 countries, Timken makes the world more productive and keeps industry in motion.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 289,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$28.6 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2013. Its home page is http://www.accenture.com.

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 258,000 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

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