The rise and rise of HR BPO

3 December 2008:

Advantec integrates, develops and supports human resources business solutions for companies nationwide. The firm’s adaptable tools and technologies – combined with their consolidated service providers and on-demand consulting services – enable clients to concentrate on top business priorities.

Appointed in 2005, Pat Goepel brings more than 15 years of leadership experience to Advantec. He is the former Executive Vice President of Ceridian, a leading HR managed business solutions organization serving more than 20,000+ Fortune 1000 clients, and has also held various positions with ADP, one of the largest providers of transaction processing and information based business solutions. He has an extensive background in the HRO industry, has been the recipient of many national awards and was recognized twice as an HRO Superstar by HRO Today.

HRM. When we think BPO, we think of large providers like ADP or IBM. How does a client benefit from looking at a smaller company?

PG. That is a great question. The biggest BPO providers are billion dollar companies; Advantec is a smaller company, which offers a potential client many advantages. First, we are nimble and technology efficient, so we can move more easily within an organization. Second, we can offer our clients big company experience in our leadership – something that not many smaller BPOs can boast. We offer clients big provider solutions, and yet we maintain the quality of a smaller, more personal relationship with our clients. All current and prospective Advantec clients are welcome to call my direct line with a question or concern – I doubt that they would find the CEO at a larger BPO as available. We have combined technology and service in a solution that is unmatched in the HR BRO industry, and we offer employees a great HR experience, which always leads to increased retention and increased profitability for our clients.

HRM. We are beginning to hear the term HR BPO more frequently. How do we define HR BPO and what changes do you see taking place in the HR BPO market?

PG. Human resources business process outsourcing, or HR BPO, is leveraging people, process and technology to deliver the end results of a business process. In the early stages of development, the initial HR BPO players moved quickly in creating reactive, custom models to service their clients and failed to create a one-to-many model. This resulted in a poor quality of service for clients, and it was difficult for providers to offer solutions that were both custom and cost-effective. At Advantec, we have created one system that can service all of our 700-plus clients. This system allows us to manage for efficiency and effectiveness and is affordable to operate. Our clients receive the solutions they need and enjoy the support of excellent customer service, at a price that reduces their overall costs.

Today, the most significant change that I see in the HR BPO space is that providers are better integrating the available technology to provide clients with solutions that add value to their business. As an industry, we are using content providers to enrich transactional HR solutions, which in turn improves the user experience and reduces frustration. Clients are driving these changes by expecting their provider to integrate strategies with transactions. At Advantec, we believe that strategy without execution is just hallucination. Moreover, execution without strategy is like hiking without a map! On behalf of our clients, we are integrating repeatable processes and consulting solutions to help them navigate a clear path to success.