DDG, a Professional Services Company, Maximizes HR Effectiveness with UltiPro® Workplace

Ultimate Software (Nasdaq:ULTI), a leading provider of end-to-end strategic human resources, payroll, and talent management solutions, today announced that Development Design Group Inc., (DDG) an international architecture, planning, graphics, and design firm based in Baltimore, MD, is boosting human capital management (HCM) effectiveness with UltiPro Workplace, including benefits enrollment, employee self-service, and reporting tools.

DDG had been using a payroll service bureau prior to UltiPro, but HR leadership determined that the company needed a solution with stronger human resource capabilities. Since going live on UltiPro Workplace in November 2008, DDG has increased efficiencies, automated manual processes, and enhanced service to employees.

Organizations that use UltiPro for benefits enrollment do not need to print and distribute benefits handbooks, instructions, or forms because all information is available online and the process is automated using the Web. Before UltiPro, DDG’s employees had to complete at least five different forms during the benefits enrollment period, even if they weren’t making changes to their benefits choices. With UltiPro, information is instantly accessible on the Web and, once completed, is populated in each benefit area, making it faster for employees and reducing the opportunity for errors.

"Benefits enrollment has gone from taking weeks from start to finish, to taking four days with UltiPro,” said Ayelet Gincel, HR manager for Development Design Group. "HR spent the last half day verifying information, and it was perfect.”

Companies that use UltiPro Workplace also benefit from other online tools, such as self-service for employees. Using self-service, employees can log on to view their personal HR and payroll details, reducing calls and e-mails to the human resources department. Employees enjoy 24-hour access to pay stubs, W-2 forms, and personal pay and benefits information.

"I believe that employees should have the ability to access their basic information on their own, without having to wait for HR to get it for them,” said Gincel. "Since we’ve empowered our employees to get their own information, HR can provide more personalized assistance as well as take on more strategic tasks. The business can expand and invest more resources in other areas of HR, which did not get much attention before.”

In order to flourish during changing economic times, it is critical for human resources to have real-time data available in minutes to monitor labor costs, respond to compliance reporting requirements quickly, and generate workforce reports as needed for day-to-day requests from executives and managers. Using UltiPro, DDG’s monthly reconciliation of benefits and reporting to outside sources has been streamlined, saving time and money.

"UltiPro’s out-of-the-box reporting enabled DDG to meet complex reporting needs and compliance requirements much more easily. With our previous provider, we had very basic reporting available,” said Gincel. "UltiPro has the workforce analytics that we need to grow. Plus we added this entire enhancement at a similar cost to our previous system and our transition went smoothly, largely because of the great support provided by the UltiPro team.”

"UltiPro Workplace can help growing businesses make the most of their human resource teams by giving them the tools to operate efficiently and add maximum value,” said Chris Phenicie, senior vice president of sales for UltiPro Workplace. "We are pleased that DDG is already seeing the strategic value of UltiPro Workplace’s Web features and reporting tools.”

About Ultimate Software

A leading provider of end-to-end strategic human resources, payroll, and talent management solutions, Ultimate markets its award-winning UltiPro products as on-demand services through Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and as on-premise software. Based in Weston, FL, the Company employs more than 900 professionals who are focused on developing the highest quality products and services. In 2009, Ultimate was awarded first place in the People’s Choice Stevie® competition for Favorite New SaaS Product and was ranked the #1 best medium-sized company to work for in America by the Great Place to Work® Institute for the second consecutive year. In 2008, Ultimate was the first HR/payroll SaaS provider to be audited and awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Certification for security management and was recognized for having the #1 "Best Product Development Team” in the nation by the American Business Awards. Ultimate has more than 1,700 customers representing diverse industries, including such organizations as The Container Store, Elizabeth Arden, Major League Baseball, The New York Yankees Baseball Team, Nintendo of America, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Sony Music Entertainment. More information on Ultimate’s products and services can be found at 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.