specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Sesame HR
providerId: sesame-hr
created: '2026-07-11'
modified: '2026-07-11'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Human Resources
- HRIS
- Time Tracking
- Workforce Management
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Sesame HR spend. Sesame HR is a per-employee, per-month SaaS
  subscription billed annually; cost scales primarily with headcount (active
  employee seats) and the set of modules enabled. The Public API does not carry
  its own usage-based invoice - API access is included with the subscription and
  bounded by a shared 1,000 requests/minute rate limit rather than metered per
  call. The main cost levers are therefore seat count, plan tier, and module
  selection, not API traffic.
notes: >-
  Per-seat rates vary by region and negotiated terms; verify on the Sesame HR
  pricing page. Because billing is seat-based, deprovisioning inactive employees
  and right-sizing module add-ons are the primary optimization levers.
sources:
- https://www.sesamehr.com/pricing/
- https://apidocs.sesametime.com/introduction
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Sesame HR
serviceCategory: Human Resources and Workforce Management
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription
  billingFrequency: Annual
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Sesame HR
  ServiceCategory: Human Resources and Workforce Management
  ProviderName: Sesame HR
  PublisherName: Sesame HR
  InvoiceIssuerName: Sesame HR
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Purchase
  PricingCategory: Subscription
meters:
- name: employee_seats
  description: Active employee seats subscribed, billed per user per month.
  unit: seats
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - company
  - plan
- name: modules
  description: Optional modules enabled (scheduling, recruitment, payroll integrations) that affect per-seat price.
  unit: modules
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - company
- name: api_requests
  description: Public API requests. Included in the subscription (no per-call charge); capped at 1,000/min per company.
  unit: requests
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - company
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track active employee seats and enabled modules per company; API traffic is unbilled but monitor it against the 1,000/min shared limit.
- name: Allocation
  description: Map seats to departments/offices so subscription cost aligns to internal cost centers.
- name: Optimization
  description: Deprovision inactive employees promptly, prefer annual billing for the lower per-seat rate, and enable only the modules in use.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign an owner for the Sesame HR subscription and review seat counts and module add-ons each renewal cycle.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com