What Frontier Software does

Frontier Software PLC is a UK-registered public limited company providing integrated Human Capital Management (HCM) and payroll software and services, founded in the mid-1980s. Its flagship product, ichris (International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Software), is a single-database platform that unifies payroll, core HR, workforce management, recruitment, onboarding, learning, performance management, remuneration planning, self-service, mobile HR, organisation charting, intelligent workflow, claims and expenses, and workplace health and safety. The payroll module is localised for 26 countries and is HMRC-recognised for Real Time Information reporting, with regulatory compliance updates maintained automatically across operating jurisdictions.

The company serves more than 1,500 clients across 30+ countries, ranging from organisations with 100 employees to those with 100,000, with a strong installed base in Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, India, the Philippines, and the Pacific. Customers span government (e.g., ACT Government), education (e.g., Swinburne University), and commercial enterprise segments, with documented average client tenure exceeding 10 years. Operations are delivered through 16 regional offices, supported by ISO 27001, 9001, and 20000-1 certifications, APA Platinum Partner status, and the UK G-Cloud 14 framework.

Frontier Software monetises through annual software licensing and subscriptions (on-premise, cloud, or mobile deployment), managed payroll outsourcing services, and professional services for implementation and consulting. Pricing is quote-based and tiered by employee count and module selection, with a consultative enterprise sales motion complemented by inside sales, channel partnerships (APA, Workato, Equifax, Xero, Salesforce integrations), and event-led demand generation across major payroll and HR industry conferences in ANZ and the UK.

Name

Frontier Software

Legal name

Frontier Software PLC

Website

https://frontiersoftware.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Frontier Software PLC provides integrated HCM and payroll software, led by the ichris platform, to 1,500+ enterprise, government, and education clients across 30+ countries, with payroll localised in 26 jurisdictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Capital Management and Payroll Software

NAICS

Payroll Services (541214), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Capital Management (HCM) & Payroll Platforms (HDAEAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Payroll Software & Payroll-as-a-Service (SaaS) (BPACAIAB), Global Payroll & Multi-Country Payroll Management (BPACAHAC), Payroll Outsourcing & Pay Administration (Multi-country/Managed Payroll) (BPACAKAD)

Keywords

• Payroll processing software
• Human capital management
• Workforce management software
• Payroll outsourcing services
• Employee self-service portal

Headquarters

HQ city

Guildford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing & Subscriptions: Annual licensing and subscription fees for ichris HCM and payroll software modules including Payroll, Human Capital Management, Workforce Management. Available in on-premise, cloud, and mobile deployment options.
2. Payroll Outsourcing Services: Managed payroll processing services for organisations looking to outsource some or all payroll operations. Flexible delivery options with onshore processing emphasis.
3. Professional Services: Implementation, consulting, and project management services for software deployment and system integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Frontier Software develops, sells, and supports the ichris (International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Software) platform — an integrated Human Capital Management (HCM) and payroll suite that unifies Payroll (available in 26 countries), Human Capital Management (recruitment, onboarding, learning, performance, remuneration), Workforce Management (time & attendance, scheduling, health & safety), Self Service, Mobile HR, chatHR (AI conversational HR), Claims & Expenses, Organisation Charting, Intelligent Workflow, and Payroll Verification on a single database. The company also delivers managed Payroll Outsourcing services and Professional Services (implementation, consulting, project management), serving enterprise and government clients ranging from 100 to 100,000 employees across 30+ countries.

Product overview

Frontier Software offers a platform-plus-modules architecture built around its core ichris (International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Software) platform. ichris serves as the unified HCM system connecting all modules including Payroll (available in 26 countries), Human Capital Intelligence, Human Capital Management components (Recruitment Management, Onboarding, Learning & Development, Performance Management, Remuneration/Salary Reviews), Workforce Management (Time & Attendance, Workforce Scheduler, Workplace Health & Safety), Self Service, Mobile HR, chatHR, Claims & Expenses, Organisation Charting, Intelligent Workflow, and Payroll Outsourcing services. The modular design enables organisations to acquire, manage, and retain talent across the entire employee lifecycle from a single database with both on-premise and cloud deployment options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ichris: International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Software - the company's flagship HCM and payroll solution
• chatHR
• PVE21
• ORC21

Products and services

• ichris (International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Software) Integrated HCM platform serving as the core system that unifies all HR and payroll modules. Delivers modularity, flexibility, and functionality across recruitment, onboarding, performance management, payroll, and reporting from a single database, deployable on-premise, in the cloud, or via mobile.
• Payroll Outsourcing Managed payroll processing services providing outsourced payroll operations for organisations seeking to delegate payroll functions while maintaining compliance, accuracy, and cost predictability. Flexible delivery options with onshore processing emphasis.
• Payroll Core payroll module currently available in 26 countries, providing accurate and compliant control of payroll data with Single Touch Payroll support and continuous statutory compliance updates.
• Self Service Employee self-service portal providing secure, direct access to pay records, payslips, leave balances, organisation charts, and policy information via browser and mobile.
• chatHR AI-powered conversational HR tool enabling natural language interaction for HR self-service. Allows employees to query HR information and receive automated responses through a conversational interface.
• Mobile HR Mobile application enabling employees to access payroll data, payslips, leave balances, and HR services on smartphones 24/7/365.
• Organisation Charting (ORC21) Visual organisation structure module with drag-and-drop editing, real-time updates, and multi-level data display capabilities, enabling graphical representations of company structures based on multiple relationship options.
• Payroll Verification (PVE21) Verification module enabling authorised personnel to review, approve, or reject payroll calculations before processing, ensuring accuracy through segregation of duties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% annual revenue invested in R&D ensuring continuous product innovation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Australian Payroll Association (APA)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 February 2025APA Platinum Partner - highest partnership tier with Australian Payroll Association. Strategic channel partnership for reaching Australian payroll professionals and industry engagement.
• G-Cloud 14 FrameworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 November 2024Named as supplier on Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 14 Framework for UK government procurement, enabling direct engagement with public sector organisations.
• WorkatocoreTechnology or Integration · 12 July 2024Frontier Software partners with Workato to empower customers with enhanced automation capabilities. The partnership enables deeper integration with other business processes and workflow automation through Workato's integration platform.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FrontierHR
• Facebookfacebook.com/FrontierSoftware
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frontier-software

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Frontier Software