Zalaris reinforces its leadership position in NelsonHall's “Reimagining Payroll Services NEAT 2026”
22 October 2026 07:00
Zalaris, a leading European provider of HR and payroll solutions, has again been named a leader in NelsonHall's 2026 “Reimagining Payroll Services NEAT” in the overall and EMEA focus categories. The result comes as Zalaris reports 90% end-user satisfaction and AI that is already part of daily payroll operations.
NelsonHall's Reimagining Payroll Services NEAT evaluates vendors across two dimensions: how well they deliver real, immediate value to clients today, and how well they are positioned to meet clients' future needs. Only vendors that score highly on both axes reach the Leaders quadrant. For Zalaris, retaining Leader status in 2026 signals something important: the company continues to deliver measurable results for clients now, while its investment in AI, platform, and delivery methodology positions it strongly for what comes next.
What NelsonHall highlights about Zalaris
The NelsonHall profile captures Zalaris at a defining point. AI is no longer a roadmap commitment - it is live across the service model. MyPayslip gives employees AI-generated payslip explanations, pay simulation, and multi-period comparison directly in PeopleHub. AI-assisted helpdesk automation has improved first-time ticket routing from 50% to 90%.
NelsonHall identifies ZASAM as a particular differentiator: an AI-enhanced implementation methodology delivering up to 40% reduced manual effort, across both customer and vendor teams, with average single-country go-lives now achieved in four months. The methodology places less burden on the client, introduces structured approval gates throughout delivery, and is supported by the Zalaris Transition Team, which bridges implementation and operations to ensure knowledge continuity from contract to business as usual.
Recent client wins span regulated industries, healthcare, MedTech, recycling, and aviation - as well as large multi-country transformation programmes including Ryanair's 10-country European payroll programme, recognised as ERP Today Transformation Project of the Year 2026.
NelsonHall's profile points to Zalaris' 26 years as a pure-play HR and payroll provider, its native in-country payroll and compliance expertise combined with a global delivery model, and an SAP-based payroll infrastructure that extends to 150+ countries. It also notes that Zalaris is HR system-agnostic, with standard integrations to platforms such as SAP, Workday, Oracle and HiBob.
"Being named a Leader in NelsonHall's Reimagining Payroll NEAT again this year is something the entire Zalaris team can be proud of - and it is a position we have worked hard to defend," said Hans-Petter Mellerud, CEO of Zalaris. "But what matters most to us is not the recognition itself - it is what it represents. Our clients are getting real, measurable value. AI is live and working. ZASAM is shortening implementation timelines. And our Transition Team ensures that the relationship does not end at go-live. At Zalaris, we stay. From the first conversation about requirements, through go-live, and deep into business as usual - one partner, accountable from setup to services, from technology to outcomes."
Contact:
Hans-Petter Mellerud, CEO and founder, Zalaris
About Zalaris
Zalaris is a leading provider of Global Payroll and Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions, delivering services to over 2 million employees each month and generating annual revenues exceeding €130 million. With a team of more than 1,500 local HR & Payroll experts across 27 countries, we can support organisations in over 150 countries through a unified, cloud-based system.
Our mission is to simplify HR and payroll operations, providing scalable solutions that streamline administration and deliver actionable insights. By empowering organisations to focus more on their people, we help drive strategic growth and long-term value.
To learn more, visit zalaris.com.
About NelsonHall
NelsonHall is the leading global analyst firm dedicated to helping organisations understand the 'art of the possible' in digital operations transformation. With analysts in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, NelsonHall provides buy-side organisations with detailed, critical information on markets and vendors, including NEAT assessments, that enables fast and highly informed sourcing decisions. NelsonHall conducts rigorous primary research and is widely respected for the quality, depth and insight of its analysis.