WESTON, Fla., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -. Ultimate Software , a leading provider of Web-based payroll and workforce management solutions, announced today that Chartwell Diversified Services, a company offering critical-care services to patients at home, is experiencing cost savings and efficiencies since going "live" on Ultimate Software's UltiPro Workforce Management.
Chartwell Diversified Services has 6,500 employees who work either in one of the business's 13 locations or on the road, providing in-home healthcare. Because Chartwell had been using a service bureau that didn't provide the flexibility or cost-effective functionality that the company wanted to manage its people as efficiently as possible, the care provider decided to bring its payroll, HR, and benefits processes in-house. After reviewing a number of solutions, Chartwell chose UltiPro and went live in January 2005.
According to Loy Loveless, director of payroll services, "We were able to direct much of the implementation ourselves, without the assistance of consultants. Chartwell used UltiPro consultants for functional testing and support during the week of our first live payroll." This saved the healthcare provider significant dollars in the conversion process, as well as in monthly fees, compared with its experience with other systems and the service bureau.
"Since implementing UltiPro, Chartwell is on track to save approximately $150,000 a year," said Loveless. "We predict a much more significant savings of $350,000 annually after 3 years."
Those businesses that have used a service bureau in the past often appreciate the fact that UltiPro provides immediate access to information without extra charges, and recognize that the solution has the benefits of control and flexibility. By converting to an in-house system, Chartwell can now easily modify its compensation programs as needed, make changes to its benefit programs, and add new pay groups -- all without extra fees.
In addition to cost savings, Chartwell has discovered what many other businesses have, that UltiPro delivers more comprehensive functionality than is typical with service bureau offerings. Chartwell has automated many activities that used to require manual effort, such as new-hire reporting, pre-payroll reviews, and tax reporting. The home healthcare provider is particularly pleased with UltiPro's integration and built-in audit tools that have dramatically reduced the amount of time that used to be spent checking information for accuracy.
"Because we've been able to streamline so many processes, we've redirected 30% of our time once spent verifying maintenance data toward other projects, such as development of strategic reports, compliance initiatives, and cross- training of employees within the payroll department," said Loveless. As a testament to how UltiPro smooths the acquisition process, she added, "After the implementation, we brought an additional Chartwell company onto UltiPro, including midyear pay-related balances. Most payroll departments will not do midyear conversions because of the balances, but with UltiPro, many new things are possible."
"Ultimate Software has approximately 90 customers in the health services industry," said Greg Swick, senior vice president of sales for Ultimate Software. "We are glad that Chartwell is seeing the same types of strategic benefits that those customers are experiencing."
About Ultimate Software
Ultimate Software, a leading provider of Web-based payroll and workforce management solutions, markets award-winning UltiPro as licensed software, as a hosted application through Intersourcing, and as a co-branded offering to Business Service Providers (BSPs) under the "Powered by UltiPro" brand. Employing approximately 500 professionals who are focused on developing the highest quality products and services, Ultimate Software was named the 2005 Payroll Provider of the Year by the Human Resources Outsourcing Association and listed among the 2005 Top 25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by the Great Place to Work Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. Ultimate Software customers represent diverse industries and include such organizations as The Container Store, Elizabeth Arden, The Florida Marlins Baseball Team, The New York Yankees Baseball Team, Nintendo of America, Ruth's Chris Steak House, SkyWest Airlines, and Trammell Crow Residential. More information on Ultimate Software's products and services can be found at http://www.ultimatesoftware.com .
UltiPro and Intersourcing are registered trademarks of The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. All other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.
For Sales Information: Ultimate Software Phone: (800) 432-1729 Web site: http://www.ultimatesoftware.com
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