Q3 2009 Ascentis Customer eNewsletter

Companies are Moving to Full HRIS and Payroll Integration
by Les Goldstein, CEO, Ascentis

Historically, HRIS and payroll services were sold as two separate capabilities, with each being judged on its own functionality, service and quality. The new Ascentis is based on the premise that companies are looking to integrate these two services and allow them to derive the following benefits:

• Cost savings
• Single registration of employees
• Automatic updating of information and status changes
• Single, seamless sign-on
• Data integration

Please contact your account manager or customer support representative for a demo of Ascentis integrated HR and payroll services, and explore how it can specifically benefit your organization.

As always, I want to thank you for your business and we will continue to work hard to earn it.

Ascentis Manager Self-Service (MSS) Will be Released September 30

MSS will enable managers to maintain and manage their employees while HR staff can retain as much oversight as necessary. With Ascentis MSS, managers can give raises, perform salary calculations and define “What If” compensation scenarios, view comparatio metrics, view or add employment statuses, approve/reject leave requests, enter time off, and view or change personal information.

In addition, managers can use a slide out company leave calendar and a slide out employee finder, used to search for employees. Unlimited and customizable approval workflows will allow HR to define and maintain control over all changes initiated in MSS. All changes have automated e-mails attached to them so that the communication process is simple. Ascentis MSS will have a new, easy-to-use and intuitive user interface that will not require any training allowing managers to ramp up quickly. Online help is also available to all users. Click here for more detailed information.

For a first look at MSS, webinars are scheduled for:

• Oct. 14 - 1 p.m. PST
• Oct. 21 - 10 a.m., PST
• Oct. 28 - 10 a.m. PST

 To register for a webinar, contact your account manager today.

Win a $500 Amazon.com Gift Card or Ascentis HR or Payroll Product Training

We know our best 'advertising' is a recommendation from our customers. Now, your recommendations can help Ascentis help other companies find a great HRIS and payroll solution, AND help yourself too!

If you refer a friend or colleague to Ascentis products and services, upon close of a sale you will receive your choice of a $500 Amazon.com gift card or an Ascentis training class (if your company policy prevents you from receiving gifts, we will donate $500 in your name to the charity of your choice). Make sure your referral lets us know that it was you who pointed them in our direction so you get credit for the sale.

Ascentis Announces New Customer Support Professionals
Three key staffing additions ensure excellence in customer support and satisfaction.

The Ascentis professional services team in Bellevue, Wash., welcomed Katherine Stern. Katherine brings with her a wide range of skills and experience gained from past professions such as customer service, software development, network administration and human resources management. As a professional services consultant, Katherine‘s primary duties include working with clients’ IT and HR staff to understand their business processes and product requirements, and provide technology implementation services including installation, data conversion and import.

Read the entire press release on the Ascentis Web site.

Non-Profit Call Center Automates Critical HR Processes with Ascentis HR
Illinois-based JULIE has invested in Ascentis HR to automate critical HR processes including open enrollment, employee benefits and data management, COBRA management and asset tracking.

JULIE needed a comprehensive HRIS solution that could manage many HR functions, including compensation, performance, COBRA, leave, monthly reconciliation, organizational charting, reporting, payroll integration and electronic connections to carriers. Because of limited IT resources, they also required a hosted solution. After demos and competitor product comparisons, they concluded that Ascentis provided the most "bang for the buck." Reports that used to take hours are now produced in minutes. With Ascentis Employee Self-Service (ESS), they can push out benefits information, as well as grocery and health club memberships. "Because it's so easy to configure Ascentis ESS, I'm able to add new information quickly and have it immediately available and distributed to all employees," said Laura Donahue, JULIE HR manager.

Read the entire press release on the Ascentis Web site. 

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Enjoys World-Class Support and Increased Employee Satisfaction with Ascentis Payroll
Ascentis works closely with Ghirardelli to create ultimate performance and peace of mind.

Ghirardelli Payroll Manager Renee Primer says: "The customer service experience with Ascentis has been excellent. I've worked with larger, nationally-based payroll companies in the past, but the support we get from Ascentis has been truly exceptional. The fact that they're willing to come to our offices and train us onsite is an amazing contrast to other companies." When Ghirardelli needed custom GL configuration, Ascentis responded quickly and comprehensively. "When we needed to reconfigure our general ledger, the Ascentis client support representative took the time to ask us all the right questions, went back and customized our system, and then presented a great solution to us. I found the experience phenomenal," Primer said.

Read the entire press release on the Ascentis Web site. 

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