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Discover UKG Pro's strengths and pricing with OutSail: Known for HR and talent management, priced at $27-37 PEPM, offering a full suite HRIS for mid-enterprise companies
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In today's dynamic and evolving Human Capital Management (HCM) market, choosing the right HRIS solution is crucial for businesses seeking efficient, scalable, and comprehensive workforce management tools. Among the prominent players in this arena is UKG Pro, a full-suite HCM system that has cemented its reputation as a pioneer in enterprise HCM. In this review, we delve into the strengths, potential concerns, and overall value proposition of UKG Pro, aiming to provide a balanced evaluation of its capabilities in the context of the evolving HCM landscape.
UKG Pro, formerly known as UltiPro, has deep roots in the HCM space. Its journey has been marked by steady growth and adaptation to industry trends. Recent acquisitions and modern updates have transformed UltiPro into UKG Pro, a powerful HCM platform that caters to a wide range of workforce management needs.
UKG Pro is utilized by companies as small as 100 employees and as large as 100,000, but has developed a strong presence in the Mid-Enterprise. UKG Pro is known for it's strengths around HR and Talent Management. While many of their peers developed payroll first and HR after, UKG has made HR their core competency from the get go, providing strengths around Talent Management (recruiting, engagement and employee development). UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) also has a loyal following from many of their customers due to their 'partners for life' philosophy.
UKG Pro is considered a Mid-Enterprise HRIS, which means the system works best for companies with between 350 and 10,000 employees. Mid-Enterprise solutions are designed to be all-in-one HRIS's for companies with a moderate-to-high degree of complexity. Mid-Enterprise solutions typically take about 4-5 months to implement and only occasionally require external consultants to successfully implement and manage the solutions. Mid-Enterprise solutions have more custom workflow tools and rules engines to support a business's growing complexity.
UKG Pro charges companies on a per employee per month basis. UKG Pro is a premium priced solution and typical UKG pricing can range anywhere from $27-37 PEPM, depending on the size of your company and the modules included in your scope.
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In addition to the software fees, UKG will typically charge a one-time implementation fee. UKG's implementation fees are typically about 30-40% of the annual software fees (i.e., $30-40K implementation fee on a $100K annual purchase)
One of UKG Pro's most notable strengths lies in its impressive market presence, particularly within the mid-enterprise segment. The platform boasts an extensive client roster, showcasing its reliability and adaptability across diverse industries and organizational sizes. This wide-ranging adoption is a testament to UKG Pro's ability to cater to a spectrum of needs, offering solutions that resonate with smaller and larger enterprises.
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, staying up-to-date is crucial, and UKG Pro excels. The platform strongly emphasizes continuous modernization, ensuring that its user interface and features are consistently updated to meet the ever-changing needs of businesses. This commitment to innovation ensures that end-users and administrators have access to an intuitive and efficient system that keeps pace with industry trends.
Unlike some HRIS platforms primarily focusing on payroll, UKG Pro distinguishes itself by excelling in holistic HR and talent management. Its core competency lies in HR workflows and talent management, making it a go-to solution for organizations seeking comprehensive recruiting, engagement, and employee development tools. This focus on the complete employee lifecycle sets UKG Pro apart and positions it as a strategic partner in nurturing a skilled and engaged workforce.
The acquisition of Immedis has significantly bolstered UKG Pro's global payroll offerings, enhancing its capabilities as an international solution provider. This expansion into global payroll makes UKG Pro an attractive choice for organizations with a presence across various regions. The seamless integration of global payroll solutions within the platform reflects UKG Pro's commitment to addressing the complexities of managing a global workforce.
In the era of data-driven decision-making, UKG Pro stands out with its AI-backed reporting and dashboard tools. These tools leverage advanced analytics and insights, empowering users to make informed choices that drive organizational success. Incorporating AI enhances the accuracy and depth of insights, enabling businesses to uncover trends, patterns, and opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.
UKG Pro's philosophy of 'partners for life' goes beyond mere words; it forms the foundation of a strong corporate culture that resonates with its clients. This philosophy translates into a loyal customer base that values long-term relationships. UKG Pro's commitment to fostering a positive work environment also translates to lower turnover rates. This means that the customer support teams assisting clients are experienced and dedicated to providing exceptional service.
Seamless integration with third-party solutions is a critical component of any HCM platform's success. UKG Pro recognizes this need and has established a marketplace of pre-built connectors and open APIs. This marketplace reflects the platform's dedication to facilitating integrations, enabling organizations to seamlessly enhance their existing workflows with complementary tools.
While UKG Pro boasts a range of strengths that position it as a leading HCM solution, it's important to approach any technology investment with a balanced perspective. Here are some areas of consideration that potential users should keep in mind when evaluating UKG Pro for their organization:
UKG Pro's journey from its UltiPro origins brings some legacy architecture challenges. While the platform has evolved and undergone modernization efforts, there may still be remnants of older architecture that could impact certain aspects, such as integration capabilities. Businesses seeking seamless integrations with their existing systems may need to delve into the specifics of how these challenges could affect their integration projects.
Incorporating modules through acquisitions has resulted in a multi-database architecture within UKG Pro. While this architecture is designed to ensure that user experiences remain unified, there's the potential for challenges to arise. Organizations may need to navigate the complexities of managing different databases and data structures, especially as they seek to customize and optimize their platform usage.
While UKG Pro excels in providing comprehensive customer support, some smaller clients have reported potentially longer wait times when seeking assistance. This concern highlights the need for UKG Pro to ensure that its customer support remains efficient and responsive across organizations of varying sizes. Businesses should evaluate whether the level of support provided aligns with their specific needs and expectations.
Ultimate Software's merger with Kronos and subsequent private equity acquisition introduces a potential shift in the platform's future direction and service model. While such changes can bring opportunities for innovation and growth, they may also raise questions about how the platform's evolution could impact existing clients. Organizations evaluating UKG Pro should seek clarity on how these changes will be managed and how they might influence the platform's ongoing development.
The 2021 cyber attack that affected a different UKG product underscores the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity measures. While UKG Pro has likely taken steps to enhance its security protocols, the incident serves as a reminder that businesses must be vigilant in safeguarding sensitive data. Organizations considering UKG Pro should inquire about the platform's cybersecurity measures, data protection protocols, and ongoing efforts to prevent breaches.
When considering UKG Pro for your organization, aligning your needs with its offerings is essential. Explore the platform's backend capabilities and inquire about post-merger roadmaps to ensure it meet your evolving requirements. As you navigate this decision, OutSail is here to provide guidance, helping you tailor UKG Pro to your unique needs.
UKG Pro's journey from UltiPro to a robust HCM platform demonstrates its adaptability in a dynamic market. Its strengths in holistic HR, talent management, and continuous modernization underscore its potential value to organizations. However, considerations such as legacy architecture and customer support nuances warrant attention. At OutSail, we're committed to helping businesses make informed HCM decisions that align with their goals. Contact us for personalized consultation as you explore the world of UKG Pro and its offerings.
