Ultimate Software (Nasdaq: ULTI), a leading provider of human capital management (HCM) solutions in the cloud, announced today that Islands Restaurants, a casual-dining chain with approximately 65 locations in the United States, has achieved its business objectives by using UltiPro® for companywide HCM business intelligence, complete HR process automation, and as a technology platform that has benefited its workforce and aided in retention.

Prior to UltiPro, Islands Restaurants had been using a payroll service bureau, but found it needed a more advanced and innovative HR solution to control operational investments, minimize risk, and enhance the employee experience.

“We believe that for a business to function well, especially in the restaurant industry, it needs really powerful technology,” said Warren Boone, vice president of HR for Islands Restaurants. “We have changed the way we handle the people side of our business by using UltiPro as our single system for HR, payroll, onboarding, performance management, and time management, rather than relying upon manual effort, paper processes, and outdated technologies and methods. We migrated our business from the cost and energy associated with these transactions to managing all of our employee information electronically. With UltiPro, we have insight into our strategic HCM like never before.”

Organizations such as Islands Restaurants can utilize UltiPro’s analytics tools and business intelligence reporting to gain greater insight into all of their processes and complete visibility into their workforce. Managers and executives can run and analyze a range of timely reports about operations and personnel without having to send requests — and with confidence, knowing the information is accurate and up to date.

“From an executive perspective, UltiPro’s business intelligence is adding the most value to our business,” said Boone. “We can configure total compensation statements to fit our needs, review turnover reports based on org levels or by restaurant, more accurately create reporting needed for compliance, and more. UltiPro’s reporting capabilities allow us to deliver these point-in-time metrics to managers and executives on their schedules. The dashboards provide our managers with information that they would have previously had to wait for. The increased visibility into our people information is helping us manage our business better, and we have more insight into what actions we need to take to recruit and retain the best workforce.”

In an industry that traditionally has 90% to 100% turnover, Islands Restaurants has been able to maintain a much lower churn by remaining focused on its people. Employees use UltiPro for direct access to their personal information at any time, from viewing pay information and W-2s to managing benefits selections and performance reviews.

“One of the main reasons we wanted an advanced, easy-to-use solution like UltiPro was to improve the work-life experience for our employees,” said Boone. “We try to put ourselves in their shoes. They expect to have convenient access to their information at work, at home, or on mobile. They also need to be able to conduct certain transactions without having to wait on an email request. Our people are important to us, and their reactions to UltiPro have been very positive. We believe that UltiPro is helping to position Islands Restaurants as a more people-focused and technologically advanced company that cares about its employees. We are very pleased with the improvements our business and our people are experiencing with UltiPro.”

“Islands Restaurants is an excellent business partner, taking full advantage of UltiPro’s many features and tools, and reaping the rewards,” said Greg Swick, chief sales officer at Ultimate. “We are glad UltiPro is providing the most innovative technology for the business, while helping Islands Restaurants take care of its people every day. That’s a principal goal we both share.”

About Ultimate Software

Ultimate is a leading provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions, with more than 20 million people records in the cloud. Ultimate’s award-winning UltiPro delivers HR, payroll, talent, and time and labor management solutions that connect people with the information they need to work more effectively. Founded in 1990, the company is headquartered in Weston, Florida, and employs more than 2,700 professionals. In 2015, for the fourth consecutive year, Ultimate was ranked in the top 25 on FORTUNE’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For; recognized by FORTUNE as one of the 100 Fastest-Growing Companies; ranked #7 on Forbes magazine’s list of the 100 Most Innovative Growth Companies; named among the InformationWeek Elite 100, honoring innovation in business technology; and recognized as a “Leader” in Nucleus Research’s HCM Technology Value Matrix. Ultimate has more than 3,000 customers with employees in 160 countries, including Bloomin’ Brands, Culligan International, Feeding America, Major League Baseball, Pep Boys, SUBWAY, Texas Roadhouse, and Yamaha Corporation of America. More information on Ultimate’s products and services for people management can be found at www.ultimatesoftware.com.

UltiPro is a registered trademark of The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. All other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

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