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UKG Implementation

  • 1.  UKG Implementation

    Posted 17 days ago

    Good morning -

    We are currently in the process of discussing the Statement of Work and Master Services Agreement with UKG.  We selected UKG after going out for RFP for timekeeping, payroll and HR systems.

    If you have implemented UKG, could you discuss your experiences with the implementation? I am hoping to get both positive and negative experiences.  We are trying to prepare in advance for the implementation.

    Thanks,


    Brian Beth

    Manager, Fiscal Services-Payroll

    County of Kenosha


    #U.S.
    #TechnologyandSystems


  • 2.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 17 days ago

    We implemented UKG in 2019 and went live in January 2020. We needed to push back our go live date a few times due to not feeling the payroll piece was where it needed to be to go live and produce an accurate payroll (they were not thrilled but allowed us to push back to go live date).  Do not be afraid to ask to push the dates back if you are uncomfortable moving forward.  It is you & your company's reputation with your employees that is most important.  They can be slow to respond on assigning cases when you have an issue, but once assigned the service is generally very good.  They do have a number you can call for urgent issues and you can ask for cases to be escalated.  They have gotten much better in response times & I have personally spoken to some of the senior managers in the Service area and truly feel they are working to continue to improve the response times.  I do not regret moving from our prior HRIS company to UKG.


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  • 3.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 16 days ago

    I have had several clients go through implementation with UKG, and other providers. Like Kim Copelan stated, do no be afraid to push back your go live dates. Things in particular we have experienced with implementations that I always watch for (and did not work properly on our last one with UKG), 401k calcs for EE and ER, PTO policies, as well as some business structure issues. Take your time and do a true parallel payroll to be sure everything is accurate. I ALWAYS recommend a client do a parallel before going live as it can flush out issues you would never have noticed. Good luck!


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  • 4.  RE: UKG Implementation

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 15 days ago
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

     You might want to Google "UKG Cyberattack payroll" and read all these stories. 


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  • 5.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 15 days ago

    You should look at a consultant to assist with your implementation.  PM me if you want a name.


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  • 6.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 14 days ago

    My firm provides client side support for UKG implementations.  We are a certified UKG partner.  Let me know if you would like me to connect you with our sales manager.


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  • 7.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 14 days ago

    Question - are you implementing UKG Pro or UKG Ready?


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  • 8.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 12 days ago

    Hi Tamela - We are implementing UKG Pro.


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  • 9.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 14 days ago

    We had been using UKG Ready (HCM) and UKG Dimensions (timekeeping) since 2019. Last year we implemented UKG Pro. UKG outsourced the implementation to an outside vendor. Our delay in the beginning was they did not have a Dimensions resource from UKG to assist with the setup. Once we had them it went smoother, but there were things we may have done differently with our business structure if we had them sooner. It was kinda too late at that point.

     I would be sure you feel comfortable with the training they are giving you. It is easier now to say I would have had them go into more detail with the actual processing of payroll. And explain more detail the setup and running of specific items


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  • 10.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 14 days ago

    Hello Beth!

    We recently just went live with UKG in October 2023, so my experience is actually still going! LOL. Our implementation started in June 2023 and we went live in October 2023 (we are a smaller company, so this timeframe is HIGHLY unusual for most companies - ours was very fast and rushed because we were under a time crunch). We implemented UKG Workforce Managment (Formerly Dimensions - our timekeeping system) and UKG Pro. In a lot of areas myself and my team felt like we were "thrown to the wolves" and we had a lot of issues in the beginning with our integrations (file feeds) for our benefits and we had NO training on how to utilize Workforce Management (WFM).  I did a lot of self-teaching in that system and it's not an easy system to learn on the back end. I highly recommend utilizing the UKG Community whenever possible and taking all necessary trainings you possibly can. I even asked my reps for additional trainings. As every stated never be afraid to ask questions or escalate matters up the chain if something is not being done that you know about or have a gut instinct about.  I am in New York State and there were payroll items that I had to work with my implementation team on that they knew nothing about (we had to add in PFL tax and SDI tax) and I had to work with them to set those up manually. 

    I love the fact that they have a rapid response payroll team that can be reached any time and I have used them quite frequently in the beginning with issues or errors that came up and everyone I have spoken with has been very knowledgeable. Overall, our experience has been good and bad, but I do not regret switching to UKG. The system capabilities are superior to what we previously had, and customer service is beyond better. The reporting system is phenomenal as well between Pro and BI (Business Intelligence) reports you will always have everything you need, and I've even gotten accustomed to creating my own reports which takes time to learn but is a great resource!

    I hope some of this helps! 

    Kelli Nash


    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 14 days ago

    Hi Brian,

    Congratulations on moving forward with UKG.  I am a long time user going back to the backoffice/UltiPro days in the early 2000s.  As someone who has been involved on the payroll processing/management side and implementations/optimization side, I can say that the negative experiences I have had or that I've seen with others is when the appropriate teams are not included in the implementation process.  Make sure your Business Processes are set up to work for everyone and that everyone has a clear understanding how the set up tables impact their day-to-day.   E.g. Org Levels are used for the GL, HR, and payroll

    End-to-end parallel testing with thorough reviews is critical.  And as others have stated, don't be afraid to push that 'Go Live' date back if necessary.  The People Analytics (BI) is phenomenal as well.  

    All the best on your implementation.


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  • 12.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 14 days ago

    I second the Consultant - we implemented from Dayforce to UKG and Payroll, in particular, had the smallest voice at the table. One of the most insane components for me is during the "pre-check" process, you will not find a simple to review payroll register including both employee and employer data. There is a BI report but it takes a substantial amount of time to run (at least for our population). A consultant will be helpful as you transition from one software language to another... and help you bridge any gaps from the UKG implementation team and your internal customers.  We found ourselves often in conflict with UKG's internal expectations and timelines and our internal needs. If we didn't have the consultant to advocate for us, it could have been far more painful. Echoing another thread here, our 401k plan is particular and challenging ... we moved our go live twice to try and have more confidence in the delivered product. Prioritize your comfort and your company's needs as much as you can. 



    ------------------------------
    Nikki Malmsbury (she/her), CPP, PHRca
    - Payroll Manager (Multi-State, R&D/Science, Payroll team of 3, Headcount 1,000+)
    ------------------------------

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  • 13.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 11 days ago

    We went live with UKG in January 2023.  We have PRO and Ready for Timekeeping.  We use their "Employee Pay" and Payment Services (taxes).  HR is using Onboarding, Recruiting , Benefits Integration.  To say it has been a disaster in most every aspect is an understatement.  Recently , we have been told by UKG that we do not have the correct modules to do the things were sold we could.  We had a consultant and she was fantastic in translating what UKG wanted and assisting us in finding the information in ADP.  That said, I would go back to ADP in a heartbeat!!  Unfortunately, we spent so much time in the past year correcting and re-working the configuration, that we are currently considering all options.  I am on the payroll and tax side.  From that perspective, the payroll is more manual than ADP, including reporting.  NO MORE auto generated reports every payroll.   The implementation team (one person) had no idea what they were doing with our GL and we had to delete 6,400 GL rules and start from scratch.  I could have filed and paid the taxes for the 33 states we are in manually for the amount of time I have spent "creating cases"" trying to fix them.  We received a $17K refund from the IRS for foreign income they reported incorrectly.  I know exactly what happened but they will not call me to discuss the issue.  ADP had one representative that I could reach directly for all payroll and tax matters.  UKG has a rapid response" hotline, but most of the time unless it is payroll related the cannot help but only create a case for you.  I could go on and on.  I can say the HR is just as if not more displeased, hence why we are exploring all options.  I have hesitated to reply because I have nothing good to say.  It is the honest truth and I would not wish this disaster on my worst enemy.  So, I pray that you do not encounter the same.


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  • 14.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 9 days ago

    We have been using ADP Vantage since October 2013. In 2019, we were told we were going to be switching to Ultipro with our payroll dept really having no input in that decision. We told Ultipro all the things we needed regarding our 401K, certified payroll, GLs, prevailing wage rates, etc. and were told oh yeah we can do that. As the pre-implementation process progressed, it was discovered one thing after another that we would have to use a third party provider for things they had said in the beginning we could do in Ultipro. We had gone through months of meetings, pulling information, etc. for it to be decided we were pulling the plug on switching to them. It was not going to be an improvement over what we already had. Seemed like overall it was going to be much more work and money with all the third party providers we were going to have to use. I sympathize with those who have had a similar experience. 


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  • 15.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 9 days ago

    Hi Michele, I wish we could have discussed this prior to your going in that direction.  I perform independent HCM consultations regularly.

    Unless you are using the full READY platform, UKG is still made up of incompatible pieces of technology.  Pro, Dimensions, and Ready do not fit together well.  Only their Ready Platform is a single complete Suite.  The other systems are still quite viable and highly appropriate in many circumstances but one must be knowledgeable about your approach with them.  Unfortunately their salespeople are not always as ethical as we would want them to be.


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  • 16.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 11 days ago

    I wish you the best of luck, UKG was a nightmare for us before, middle and end


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  • 17.  RE: UKG Implementation

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 9 days ago
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    I have been through 3 payroll system integrations (2 were payroll HRIS systems).  UKG was the last and the most organized.  We are currently on Pro & Ready.   Their implementation plan was clear, due dates were assigned on both sides for all items.  Weekly meetings to touch base and ensure everyone is on track to meet their deadlines and answer needed questions.  They had someone on staff who was familiar with our old system and they gave us a list of EXACTLY what reports to pull and in what format.  We did have to delay our go live date due to factors on their end outside of our control.  Our set up in Pro was easy to understand.  Ready, not so much, it was difficult getting answers from the Ready Consultant, and we were also given some inaccurate information more than once by the consultant - Told we couldn't do something, that we figured out how to do on our own with the scheduler.  The UKG community is a fantastic resource!  Generally I'm able to find whatever answer I need by searching the community/help documents.  If I do have to create a case, I feel like their response time is adequate.  I've only had to use the rapid response line once when I was unable to open payroll.  I was off the phone with the problem solved in 5 minutes.   After you go live and you are handed off to the regular support group, you will be offered an opportunity to participate in "Success Care".  It honestly was the last thing I felt like doing after a long implementation and many meetings, but it was FANTASTIC.  Strongly recommend everyone utilize Success Care after going live.  Remember your implementation is what you put into it.  If you just throw everything at them in a disorganized fashion, you're likely to have issues.  I made a point to verify and re-verify various 'important' aspects of things that HAD to beg done a certain way.  I feel that helped alot.  My experience fells me there's no perfect system out there.  They all seem to have their drawbacks, its a matter of what you're willing to work with.  Yes, there are some steps that take more time in UKG...there are also other steps that take less time.  I do think their reporting could be better.  I'm always able to get the data I need, I just wish it was an easier process to get to that point.  Custom reports in BI (the reporting tool), is not for an inexperienced user unless you're just using the canned reports and making minor modifications.  The one thing that our employees HATE is the duplicate log in with the phone apps for Pro/Ready.  Every time I have to log into Ready via app, I'm unable to save my username/password on my device (apple).  Android users seem to not experience this as frequently, but they do need to up their game with the linkage between the 2 products.


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  • 18.  RE: UKG Implementation

    Posted 9 days ago

    Hi Brian,

    I run an Independent Consulting Group, my team is not affiliated with any vendor but we work in the UKG world often. I can tell you that the sentiments you see above are real but they do not have to be. I have been doing Implementations for almost 30 years and there are some drawbacks to the choices you made but not insurmountable ones. If you would like I would be happy to give you a real assessment of where you are and possibly your next steps. Please feel free to contact me .

    Christopher Kane

    Managing Partner

    Obsidian Strategic Consulting

    Chris.Kane@obsidian.inc

    (808) 300-6750

    WWW.Obsidian.Inc


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