How Olymel Modernized HR and Payroll Without Disrupting Business Operations
Watch Olymel's Story
Hear directly from Olymel's HR and IT leaders as they share the challenges, lessons learned, and outcomes behind Olymel's HR and payroll transformation.
- Location
- Canada
- Industry
- Agribusiness, Food Products, Meat Processing, Retail
- Solutions
- SAP SuccessFactors
Successful HR transformation is about more than implementing new technology. It requires balancing business continuity, employee experience, and operational excellence while preparing for future growth.
For Olymel, one of Canada's leading food processing companies, that meant modernizing HR, payroll, time, and workforce management across Canada without disrupting day-to-day operations. Together, Olymel and Rizing HCM, a Wipro company, delivered an enterprise-wide modernization program that achieved 100% of the planned scope, on time, within budget, and with more than 99% issue resolution during hypercare.
Here's how the journey unfolded.
100%
of planned scope
99%+
issue resolution in hypercare
37
system integrations
The Challenge
Operating in a highly regulated environment, Olymel set out to modernize critical payroll, time, and benefits processes while improving how employees interact with HR every day. The organization also needed to strengthen data accuracy and compliance — all without a single interruption to payroll.
- Improve how employees interact with HR services
- Modernize critical payroll, time, and benefits processes
- Strengthen data accuracy and enhance compliance
- Keep payroll uninterrupted throughout
"When we think of employee pay, there's nothing more important. It needed to be done right." — Philippe De Villers, Olymel
Navigating Enterprise Complexity
Behind the HR transformation was a highly complex technology program. Olymel was replacing customized legacy systems built on the AS/400 platform, integrating with SAP S/4HANA and dozens of downstream applications — roughly 37 integrations in total.
Legacy System Replacement
Retiring heavily customized AS/400 systems in favor of a stable, secure, and scalable SAP foundation.
Enterprise Integration
Connecting SAP S/4HANA with ~37 downstream applications into one synchronized enterprise landscape.
Uninterrupted Payroll
Delivering an aggressive go-live while payroll ran on time, every cycle, with zero disruption.
"This wasn't just an HR project. It was a core enterprise transformation with significant IT accountability."
Michelle Demers, Vice President of Information Technology, Olymel
A Partnership Built on Trust
A program of this scale needed more than technical capability. It called for a partner who could combine structured delivery with the flexibility to adapt as the project evolved. Working side by side with Olymel's HR and IT teams, Rizing aligned execution with the organization's business priorities, operating model, and culture — refining the team along the way to keep the right expertise in place as needs changed.
- Structured yet flexible delivery, underpinned by strong governance
- Close collaboration between functional and technical teams
- A project team continuously aligned to Olymel's evolving needs
"Their team earned our trust and respect through disciplined execution, responsiveness, and a genuine understanding of our people, the way we operate, and our culture."
Philippe De Villers, Senior Director, Business Practices – Human Capital, Talent & Culture, Olymel
Delivering with Confidence
To meet Olymel's ambitious timeline, Rizing brought specialized, hands-on expertise across SAP SuccessFactors, payroll, WorkForce Software, and enterprise integrations — depth that proved essential given the scale and complexity of the program. The result was an implementation that held its quality while moving at pace.
- Deep expertise across SAP SuccessFactors, payroll, and WorkForce Software
- Proven capability managing complex, large-scale integrations
- Quality maintained without compromising speed of delivery
"They had deep expertise across SAP SuccessFactors, payroll, WorkForce Software, and integrations, which was critical given the roughly 37 integrations involved." — Michelle Demers
Measurable Results
Project Delivery
- 100% of planned project scope
- Delivered on schedule
- Delivered within budget
- 99%+ issue resolution during hypercare
- Successful transition to ongoing operations
Business Impact
- Centralized HR data
- More consistent HR processes
- Increased automation and improved data accuracy
- Stronger compliance and enhanced employee experience
- A scalable operating model for future growth
"Beyond the numbers, Rizing left us with strong documentation, trained teams, and a solution we can support and evolve internally."
Michelle Demers, Vice President of Information Technology, Olymel
A Foundation for What's Next
Looking back, Olymel's leaders agree that the project's greatest success was not simply delivering a new system. It was creating a strong foundation for the future.
As Philippe De Villers shared: "They didn't only deliver a system. They really helped us build a sustainable model that continues to evolve as our business grows."
Michelle Demers echoed that perspective. "From an IT standpoint, it was a well-governed, well-executed program and a partnership we trust."
Their experience demonstrates that successful HR modernization is built on more than technology. It requires trusted collaboration, proven delivery, and a shared commitment to long-term business outcomes.
Ready to Modernize Your HR Landscape?
Whether you're planning to modernize SAP SuccessFactors, payroll, workforce management, or your broader HR technology ecosystem, the right partner can help you move forward with confidence.
At Rizing and Wipro, we combine deep SAP expertise with proven delivery methodologies to help organizations navigate complex HR modernization initiatives and achieve lasting business value.
Connect with our experts to discuss your HR transformation goals and discover how we can help you build a future-ready HR ecosystem.