This guide walks HR Administrators through the essential system configuration steps required to prepare SimplyMerit for use. Completing these items ensures employees, managers, delegates, and budget processes work correctly throughout your compensation cycle.
Accessing the Configuration Section
Only users with HR Administrator access will see the Configuration section in SimplyMerit.
Within this area, you will upload employee data and configure system behavior to align with your organization’s compensation practices.
Config Links
Along the top of the Configuration page are some helpful links weʼve added for admins. They are frequently updated and currently include:
ShareFile
Contact SimplyMerit Support
CompAware Education
Schedule Insights Review
Schedule After Action
Contact a Comp Expert
(Click here to enlarge in a new tab)
Essential Configuration Checklist
Follow the steps below in order to configure your SimplyMerit environment:
1. Alert Your IT Team
Ask your internal IT or security team to whitelist SimplyMerit so that emails and site access are not blocked.
2. Login and Account Settings
Confirm login settings, including:
Acceptable email domains
Corporate authentication rules
Account lockout parameters (aligned with your security policies)
SSO is configured and permissions are properly set with your IT team
3. Add Performance Rating Scale (Optional)
If your compensation process uses performance ratings:
Define your rating labels, create a rating scale or merit matrix
Provide recommended merit ranges per rating
This step is optional, but it enables in-system guidance for managers.
4. Add Custom Fields (Optional)
If your organization tracks additional employee attributes for planning, configure these custom fields before importing data so they can be populated via the import.
5. Import Employee Data
Upload your company’s compensation data using the Data Import tools.
SimplyMerit typically uses CSV templates for data:
Employee records
Manager assignment relationships
Compensation elements
For guidance on preparing and importing data, see the Admin Import Data articles.
6. Configure Currencies (If Global)
If your organization operates across multiple countries:
Enter relevant exchange rates
Ensure reporting and budgeting accounts for all applicable currencies
This supports accurate budget views and leader confidence in multi-currency environments.
7. Update Company and Personal Information (Optional)
Review and confirm:
Legal entity details
Company fiscal calendar
Default data elements that impact compensation planning
Accurate system info prevents errors in reporting and letters.
8. Configure Active Features
Adjust the following as needed:
Display fields on My Team screens
Required approvals by job level
Visibility of merit, bonus, and equity tabs
This ensures system screens match your compensation practices and approval structures.
9. Set Budget Amounts
Define your total budgets for each compensation category, such as:
Merit
Bonus
Equity
Budget settings drive manager dashboards and warnings for spend guidance.
10. Configure Exceptions
If certain groups receive protected budgets or limits:
Apply budget exceptions
Set parameters that reflect programs such as retention or market adjustments
This helps guard overall budget health while honoring special cases.
11. Configure Timeline and Proration
Set key cycle dates and proration rules:
Start and end dates for entry and approvals
Mid-cycle hires/prorations handling
Email reminders (optional)
This controls cadence and communication throughout the cycle.
12. Configure Alert Conditions (Optional)
Define alerts to notify users when key events occur, such as:
Approaching deadlines
Budget thresholds exceeded
This can improve manager responsiveness without manual tracking.
13. Finalize System Control Settings
Once configuration is complete:
Navigate to System Control
Review settings to confirm correctness
Check the Finalize Company box and click Submit
This activates the environment for managers and enables invitation emails to be sent.
14. Send Manager Invitations
After finalizing the system:
Use the Send Manager Invites button in System Control
SimplyMerit will send unique invitation emails to managers
Managers click these links to create passwords and begin their work.
What to Expect Next
Once configuration and invitations are complete:
Managers and delegates will begin entering recommendations
HR Admins can monitor cycle progress and support users
You can update configurations if needed as the cycle evolves
For detailed walkthroughs on data import, budgets, exceptions, and timelines, see the corresponding Admin guide articles.
→ Next : Admins Getting Started Part 3 - Whitelisting for Email Deliverability
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