Affinity Payroll and ELMO

Affinity Payroll, a technology and services company with a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand, has been serving mid-market and enterprise businesses for over 40 years. 

With a comprehensive suite of payroll solutions, Affinity offers businesses the flexibility to manage payroll in-house, with support, or through a fully outsourced model. Their commitment to innovation and client success has positioned them as a trusted name in the industry.

Recognising the opportunity to enhance their offering and expand market reach, Affinity formed a strategic partnership with ELMO, a leading HR technology provider. This collaboration has strengthened Affinity’s ability to provide an end-to-end HR and payroll solution while driving significant growth opportunities. 

The partnership also ensures businesses have access to an integrated HR and payroll ecosystem, reducing complexity and improving compliance.

Affinity has a long history of integrating with various technology vendors, including HRIS, finance, and workforce management solutions. These partnerships have ranged from simple integrations to deeper commercial collaborations. Despite generally positive experiences, Affinity recognised that each partnership brings unique challenges and opportunities, requiring flexibility and alignment.

Affinity’s journey with ELMO began with a strong market alignment. “We had an offering that complemented ELMO’s HRIS platform perfectly,” says Joel Smith, CEO of Affinity. “Our payroll solution filled a critical gap, allowing ELMO to target new opportunities, while their platform provided us with the scale and reach we needed.”

This alignment meant that both organisations could present a more comprehensive offering to clients, ensuring a smooth connection between HR management and payroll functions. As HR technology evolves, businesses are seeking holistic solutions rather than fragmented systems. 

By forming a partnership, Affinity and ELMO have positioned themselves as leaders in the industry, providing a robust and future-proof workforce solution.

A key component of the Affinity and ELMO partnership was the development of a sophisticated integration between their platforms. Rather than rushing to market, both companies committed to ensuring a smooth experience for users. “We didn’t want to be selling vapourware,” Smith explains. “We needed to prove that our integration worked before announcing it broadly.”

Through a rigorous development process, Affinity and ELMO successfully deployed their integrated solution with several shared clients, allowing HR professionals to streamline processes and eliminate manual data entry. The integration supports automated data flow, reducing administrative overhead and the risk of errors.

Smith highlights that partnerships like this require investment and patience. “Unlike direct sales, where results can be immediate, a partnership takes time to build. We knew we needed to develop a robust integration, educate our teams, and ensure that the solution delivered real value before promoting it widely.”

The partnership has provided Affinity with:

• Expanded Market Reach – Leveraging ELMO’s established network and brand recognition has enabled Affinity to access a broader audience.
• Enhanced Product Offering – Affinity can now offer HR solutions powered by ELMO, adding new value to their clients.
• Improved Operational Efficiency – Clients using both platforms benefit from automation, reduced manual work, and payroll-HR integration.

Customer reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, especially among shared clients. “HR professionals are excited about removing manual data entry and improving compliance without additional costs or development time,” Smith notes. The ability to integrate payroll and HR functions efficiently has resulted in improved reporting, better workforce insights, and a stronger compliance framework.

One of the biggest advantages has been reducing duplication of work. Many HR teams previously had to manually transfer payroll data between systems, increasing the risk of discrepancies. With the Affinity and ELMO integration, HR professionals can now focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.

Affinity views its partnership with ELMO as a long-term growth driver. “We’re not just another vendor integration, we’re a strategic partner. This collaboration has reinforced our position as a key player in payroll and workforce management,” Smith says.

With 2025 set to be a year of significant evolution for Affinity, the company sees ELMO as a core component of its expansion strategy. “This partnership will help us scale, reach new customer segments, and deliver more value to our clients.”

Both companies share a vision of continuous improvement. As technology evolves, they plan to enhance their solutions further with more automation, analytics, and compliance features. By staying ahead of industry trends, Affinity and ELMO can continue to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the changing needs of businesses.

Reflecting on the partnership, Smith emphasises the importance of patience and strategic alignment. “Both ELMO and Affinity were eager for success, but we knew we had to lay the groundwork properly. Doing it the right way, rather than the fastest way, has set us up for long-term success.”

He advises other businesses considering partnerships to take a structured approach. “Partnerships require investment in technology, training, and relationship-building. The more effort you put in upfront, the greater the rewards in the long term.”

For companies considering a partnership with ELMO, Smith’s advice is clear: “Reach out and explore the opportunities. ELMO’s partner team is approachable and open to collaboration. Every business can unlock value in different ways, but those who take the time to align their strategy will benefit the most.”

Additionally, businesses looking to enter partnerships should define clear objectives from the outset. Smith notes that both Affinity and ELMO had a shared vision, which made execution smoother. “Having aligned goals and understanding each other’s strengths is crucial. Without that, partnerships can lack direction and fail to deliver value.”

With a strong foundation in place, Affinity is excited to officially launch the partnership and bring its benefits to a wider audience. As the integration gains traction, Affinity anticipates even greater growth opportunities, further solidifying its role as a leader in payroll and workforce management.

ELMO’s extensive reach and strong market position will allow Affinity to connect with a broader customer base, while Affinity’s payroll expertise will enhance ELMO’s value proposition. This mutually beneficial relationship is expected to drive innovation and efficiency in workforce management for years to come.

Looking ahead, both companies plan to deepen their collaboration, introducing additional features and optimisations to their integration. By continuing to refine and expand their offering, Affinity and ELMO are well-positioned to shape the future of HR and payroll technology.

The Affinity-ELMO partnership is a testament to the power of strategic collaboration, when two companies align their strengths, they can create a solution that delivers exceptional value to businesses and their employees alike. 

By taking a long-term view and focusing on customer needs, Affinity and ELMO have built a partnership that not only drives growth but also enhances the overall workforce experience for businesses across Australia and New Zealand.