In a move to transform the operations of midsize businesses, Workday has unveiled significant updates to its Workday GO platform, designed to streamline HR and financial management. This comprehensive, all-in-one solution targets the 90% of global businesses identified as midsize, addressing their unique challenges and providing them with advanced technologies commonly available to large enterprises.
Mid-sized businesses play a vital role in the economy, generating around 70% of global employment and contributing significantly to GDP. However, many of these organizations suffer from outdated systems and inefficiencies that hinder their ability to compete effectively. Workday GO aims to bridge this gap by providing industry-leading HR, payroll, and AI capabilities in one place, making it easier for businesses to manage their operations.
“Midsize businesses often have to choose between powerful technology and practical simplicity,” explains Max Wessel, senior vice president of growth at Workday. «Workday GO changes that equation. We’ve combined the power of enterprise-grade HR, payroll, and AI into one predictable price, a single trusted partner ecosystem, and one of the simplest deployment experiences on the market so any growing business can scale with confidence.»
The introduction of Workday GO Global Payroll is one of the most important features for small business owners looking to expand their business internationally. Payroll complexity can increase as companies enter new markets and face a variety of compliance rules and regulations. Workday GO Global Payroll provides a seamless, integrated system designed to easily pay employees around the world. “Workday GO Global Payroll eliminates one of the biggest barriers to global growth: disjointed systems for hiring and paying international teams,” said Job van der Voort, CEO of Remote.
Another layer of support is available through the new Workday GO Partner Network of global payroll, benefits, and distribution partners. This ecosystem allows companies to scale their operations while minimizing the typical complexities associated with international expansion. Partners like Benefit Harbor and OneSource Virtual make it easier for companies to navigate the complex challenges of global recruiting and compliance.
Workday’s innovation isn’t limited to payroll. We’ve introduced a deployment agent to make setting up the Workday GO platform faster and easier. This AI-powered assistant helps businesses achieve operational efficiency faster by minimizing complexity and reducing implementation time by up to 25%. Denise Trentin, Global HR Project Manager at Master Builders Solutions, shared her positive experience: “Using Workday GO, we went from start to launch in just 42 business days, a testament to our strong teamwork and focus on delivering on time, scope, and budget.”
Midsize businesses can also take advantage of built-in Workday agents from the start, designed to automate processes, reduce manual tasks, and allow teams to focus on strategic growth. The ability to access enterprise-grade AI capabilities allows small businesses to operate more efficiently and accelerate growth with fewer resources.
While these developments provide opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies, they also present things to consider. Switching to a new system may require upfront investment and training resources. Small business owners need to weigh these costs against the potential benefits. System upgrades can lead to operational disruptions if not executed carefully and can cause problems during the transition period.
The next version of Workday GO, featuring Distribution Agent, Workday GO Global Payroll, and partner solution integrations, is scheduled to launch in February 2026 in markets including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and France, with plans for further expansion.
For small business owners, implementing a system like Workday GO can help drive growth, improve operational efficiency, and expedite international expansion without complex processes. In an age where adaptability is everything, these solutions can prove invaluable in navigating an evolving business environment.
For small and medium-sized businesses considering Workday GO, the final pricing structure, user experience, and integration approach are critical. More information about this solution can be found in the original press release. Workday Newsroom.
As companies strive for future success and efficient scalability, platforms like Workday GO can give them the strategic edge they need to compete effectively in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
Image via Google Gemini
