Responding to growth through HR and payroll outsourcing

The decision to seek HR and payroll outsourcing services for SomerfordCorp.'s 13 assisted living facilities was directly related to growth. Theacquisition of a California-based healthcare provider in October, 2001,doubled Somerford's employee population and added six facilities to thecompany, and also increased the complexity of HR management.

"We knew we needed more control over our information, as well asan integrated HR, payroll, and benefits solution," says Judy Huber,vice president of finance and administration. "However, we also knewwe didn't want the cost or staffing requirements associated with managingan HR/payroll/benefits system infrastructure in house. Moving to a HR businessprocessing outsourcing provider was the logical choice for us."

Huber appointed Idalee DiGregorio, director of human resources for Somerford,to select an outsourcing provider, lead the conversion process, and managethe new relationship.

"In addition to identifying vendors who offered a full range ofservices, we also needed to find a vendor that matched our own corporateculture," DiGregorio says.

After evaluating more than 10 outsourcing vendors, large and small, Somerfordselected Genesys. Selection criteria included: experience with a Web-basedsolution; demonstrated technical expertise; assignment of designated accountmanagers; a comprehensive portfolio of services; cost; and a company whosesize matched to Somerford's needs.

"In the end, it's the relationships between people that make a decisionsuccessful," Huber says. "Companies should look for a vendor thathas a philosophy similar to their own. And vendors should make sure theyidentify the specific needs and concerns of a prospect, and not assume allcompanies are the same."

About the Author

Ruth Ladner is COO at Genesys.

Somerford Corp. is a provider of assisted living and Alzheimer's carewith 13 facilities located throughout California, Delaware, and Maryland.