They had seven voucher binders and one PC with locally installed software. It was used for the last time to run payroll on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Meet NHHS, the student union that was fully digitized the day Norway shut down. Random? Yes, but at the same time not.
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We were fully digitized that day! Our board has gone almost completely unaffected by the pandemic because we had already planned for a full digitization of operations.
“Collaboration platforms were up and running a couple of days before, and after that everything has been in the cloud. Now it is much easier to understand what to deliver where. Before, one form would come here and the signature might go there. Now everything is communicated through a single digital platform, says Chief Financial Officer Sverre Skjauff.
Together with marketing manager Kine Marie Eknes Ramm, he sits on the core board of NHHS. In 2020, they have pulled the socket out of the wall and moved both the accounting and payroll system to the cloud. Locally installed software belongs to the 2010s; now it is Visma Net and the payroll system Payroll that apply.
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“Our board of directors has gone almost completely unaffected by the pandemic because we had already planned a full digitisation of operations.
When Skjauff and Ramm ran as candidates for the 2020 Board of Directors, they opted to digitize even more than had already been done. When asked why exactly digitization, it falls silent for a couple of seconds.
No, but are we living in 2020? , says Skjauff.
From having worked in analog or on the one “software PC,” the plan was to get rid of an office full of crumpled papers, punching and other manual processes.
“Now we can sit at home in bed and pay salaries to those students who are watchmen at the bar. But also the operation has become more secure. For example, we have got 2FA (two-step authentication), digital timekeeping for the watchmen and everyone can deliver their outlays digitally,” he explains.
Many of the NHHS members have small and large outlays. Reclaiming the money could previously take up to six weeks -- a long turnaround even for workers. It's reasonable to assume that one and a half months isn't exactly perceived as something shorter for a student.
Although they are still in training, both Skjauff and Ramm are super excited to work more streamlined.
“Now it's much easier to understand what to deliver where. Before, a form would go there and the signature might go there. Now everything is communicated through one digital platform.
As the project manager for the introduction of Visma Net and Payroll, Skjauff finds it easy to see the usefulness in a short time. Most things can be approved and registered on mobile, access control is easier and bank payments feel safer.
“The previous boards also spent a lot of time purging businesses. Now that we have automatic purring and integration against debt collection companies, getting money into account is really a narrow matter,” he says.
Both are very pleased with the cooperation between NHHS and Visma, with Abacus IT at the head, the partner who delivers the solutions on Visma's behalf.
“Visma seems like a very exciting company. It is, after all, the biggest and coolest place in their field of expertise. Not just accounting and technology, but after all, they buy up so many companies every year. They are visible at school and recruit good students,” Ramm says.
“Now that we have automatic purring and integration against debt collection companies, it's really a narrow matter to get money into an account.
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Both have good contact with former active members, whether they need to discuss something or are in need of professional clarification. One of these is Jo Hvoslef, who now works in Visma.
“If it's a question of debit and credit, it's Jo we call,” Skjauff laughs.
Operation or development? Yes thank you, both, shall we believe the board of NHHS. The goal in the coming years is to maintain the innovative wave, while at the same time running the student union properly. With a good dose of curiosity and willpower, Skjauff and Ramm have a watchful belief that both are possible.
“What we all have in common with our generation is that we like to adopt new technologies. I don't even auto-update my apps because I like to read what's new in the updates,” Skjauff explains.
“Yes, we are a bit different,” laughs Ramm.
— My apps are always updated automatically.
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Norges Handelshøyskoles studentforening was founded in 1936 and is the second oldest student union in Bergen. NHHS is an inclusive association with a large span and a rich offering. All of our commitment is based on volunteer efforts and with over 120 subgroups and 1,800 active members, we are one of the country's most active and vibrant student associations. They have a total of 55 employees, and turnover of 27 MNOK in 2022.
Visma Net is an automated system suitable for growing medium-sized businesses. The system is delivered as a standard product, with modules and integrations tailored to your needs in finance, logistics, project management, and HR and payroll.
Many thanks to Abacus IT, one of our many delivery partners. They have provided and implemented Visma Net Finance and Payroll to NHHS.
“Not only is the system simpler for the Board of Directors and for the Accounting Group (which sits under the Financial Officer), but it actually helps all the 1950 members. The system also simplifies their everyday life in the association, Ramm says.
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