From the construction site to the salary slip- without manual data entry or costly errors
Every two weeks or every month, the same painful ritual repeats in construction companies across Belgium: HR managers and payroll administrators manually transfer hours from paper timesheets, Excel files, or disconnected systems into their payroll software. The result? Data entry errors, delayed salary payments, disputes with workers, and thousands of euros in corrections. In an industry where workers move between sites daily, work overtime, and operate under complex wage regulations, the gap between time registration and payroll is where money disappears.
This guide shows you exactly how to bridge that gap. Whether you use SD Worx, Partena Professional, or Acerta, we’ll walk you through connecting your digital time registration system to your payroll provider- so hours flow automatically from the construction site to the salary slip.
Quick Navigation
- Why Manual Payroll Transfer Is Costing You Money
- How Payroll Integration Works in Practice
- Connecting to SD Worx, Partena, and Acerta
- Step-by-Step: Setting Up the Integration
- Before and After: The Payroll Transformation
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Manual Payroll Transfer Is Costing You Money
Construction payroll is uniquely complex. Workers earn different rates depending on their classification (PC 124 for construction), whether they work overtime, weekends, or night shifts, and whether they’re on hazardous sites. Add travel allowances, meal vouchers, and the Belgian system of eco-cheques, and you have a payroll calculation that requires pinpoint accuracy.
When this data is transferred manually, errors are inevitable:
❌ Manual process: Site manager writes hours on paper → Admin types into Excel → HR re-enters into payroll software → 3 touch points, 3 chances for error.
✅ Automated process: Worker checks in on site → Hours sync to platform → Validated data exports directly to payroll → 1 touch point, verified data.
| Cost Factor | Manual Process | Automated Integration |
| Data entry errors | 3-5% of records | < 0.1% of records |
| Processing time per cycle | 2-3 days | 2-4 hours |
| Payroll corrections per month | 15-25 per 100 workers | 1-3 per 100 workers |
| Salary payment disputes | Frequent | Rare |
| NSSO compliance risk | High (missing hours) | Low (complete audit trail) |
⚠️ Important: From January 2027, ALL Belgian employers must have an objective, reliable system for recording daily working hours. If your payroll data doesn’t match your time registration records, you risk fines and disputes with the NSSO (RSZ). An integrated system creates the audit trail you need.
How Payroll Integration Works in Practice
A payroll integration connects your time registration platform to your payroll provider through a structured data exchange. Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
1. Data collection: Workers register their hours via mobile app, badge reader, or site pole. Each registration captures the worker ID, site, start time, end time, and any codes (overtime, travel, absence).
2. Validation and approval: Site managers or project leaders review and approve hours in the platform. Business rules automatically flag anomalies (e.g., more than 10 hours without a break, duplicate registrations).
3. Code mapping: The platform maps your internal hour types (e.g., “overtime Saturday”, “travel to site”) to your payroll provider’s wage codes. This mapping is configured once during setup.
4. Export and transfer: Validated hours are exported in the exact file format your payroll provider expects- whether that’s a CSV, XML, or API call. The data lands directly in your payroll cycle.
5. Reconciliation: After payroll runs, discrepancies are flagged for review. The platform maintains a full history for audits.
Connecting to SD Worx, Partena, and Acerta
Belgium’s three major payroll providers each have their own data formats and integration methods. Here’s how Suivo connects to each:
| Payroll Provider | Integration Method | File Format | Key Features |
| SD Worx | Automated file export + API | SD Worx XML / CSV | Wage code mapping, absence sync, cost centre allocation |
| Partena Professional | Automated file export | Partena CSV format | Hour type mapping, overtime calculation, multi-site support |
“We used to spend three full days every month just processing timesheets for payroll. Since connecting Suivo to our SD Worx environment, our payroll cycle takes half a day- and we’ve had zero correction requests in the last quarter.”
– HR Manager, Belgian construction company (200+ field workers)
Step-by-Step: Setting Up the Integration
Whether you’re switching from manual processes or replacing an existing system, follow these steps to connect your time registration to payroll:
Step 1: Audit Your Current Hour Types and Wage Codes
List every type of hour your workers can register (regular, overtime 50%, overtime 100%, Saturday, Sunday, night shift, travel, training, absence types). Then map each to the corresponding wage code in your payroll system. This mapping document becomes the blueprint for your integration.
Step 2: Configure the Mapping in Your Platform
In Suivo, you configure the code mapping table that translates your platform’s hour types to your payroll provider’s wage codes. This is typically done during onboarding with support from the Suivo team.
Step 3: Run a Parallel Test Period
For at least one payroll cycle (ideally two), run the automated export alongside your existing manual process. Compare the outputs line by line. This catches any mapping errors before you go live.
Step 4: Validate with Your Payroll Provider
Send a test file to your payroll provider and ask them to validate the format and data. SD Worx, Partena, and Acerta all have technical support teams that can confirm whether your export file meets their specifications.
Step 5: Go Live and Monitor
Switch to the automated process. Monitor the first two cycles closely, checking for any discrepancies between registered hours and processed payroll. After validation, your ongoing effort is limited to exception handling.
Before and After: The Payroll Transformation
| Aspect | Before Integration | After Integration |
| Data flow | Paper → Excel → Manual entry | App/badge → Platform → Auto export |
| Time to process payroll | 2-3 days per cycle | 2-4 hours per cycle |
| Error rate | 3-5% of records need correction | < 0.5% of records need review |
| Worker disputes | 10-15 per month (200 workers) | 1-2 per month |
| CIAW compliance | Separate manual process | Automatic (same data source) |
| Audit readiness | Weeks of preparation | Real-time reports available |
The integration also creates a single source of truth: the same data that generates your CIAW registrations feeds your payroll. No more reconciling two separate systems. Learn more about CIAW compliance in our detailed FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which payroll providers does Suivo integrate with?
Suivo integrates with all major Belgian payroll providers including SD Worx, Partena Professional, and Acerta. We also support custom export formats for smaller providers and in-house payroll systems. The integration uses standard file formats (CSV, XML) or API connections depending on the provider.
How long does it take to set up the payroll integration?
Typical setup takes 2-4 weeks, including code mapping, test exports, and validation with your payroll provider. The most time-intensive step is auditing your current hour types and wage codes- the technical configuration is straightforward.
Can I still make manual corrections after the automatic export?
Yes. The platform allows corrections and additions before each export. After the export, you can still make adjustments in your payroll software. However, most clients find that manual corrections drop by 80-90% after going live with the integration.
Does the integration handle Belgian construction-specific rules like overtime rates and travel allowances?
Absolutely. The wage code mapping supports all Belgian construction sector rules under PC 124, including overtime at 50% and 100%, Saturday and Sunday rates, night shift premiums, travel allowances, and meal vouchers. You configure these once during setup.
What about GDPR and data security?
All data transfers are encrypted. Suivo processes only the minimum data required for payroll: worker ID, hours, and wage codes. No sensitive personal data is included in the export files. Suivo is fully GDPR-compliant and hosts data within the EU.
For more on choosing the right time registration solution, see our comparison of digital tools:
Best Digital Time Registration Tools in Belgium (2026 Edition) →
Time Registration for Construction: The Complete Guide →
From Site to Salary Slip- Without the Hassle
Connect your construction site time registration directly to SD Worx, Partena, or Acerta. Eliminate manual data entry, reduce payroll errors, and save days of admin work every month.
