Insights into the Optimal Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management Solutions for Private Equity Firms Market research shows that the efficiency of shift scheduling and workforce management tools can significantly impact the operational success of private equity firms. Data indicates that platforms like Deputy and When I Work are often highlighted in customer reviews for their user-friendly interfaces and robust features, making them popular choices among businesses seeking to streamline their workforce management. Interestingly, industry reports suggest that flexibility in scheduling can lead to higher employee satisfaction, a crucial factor for firms aiming to maintain a competitive edge in a fast-paced market. When comparing specifications, many consumers indicate that Deputy excels in its integration capabilities with existing HR systems, while When I Work is commonly noted for its mobile accessibility. These features may help firms respond swiftly to workforce changes, a critical advantage in the private equity space where adaptability is key. What’s often overlooked is that while flashy marketing may tout advanced analytics as essential, research suggests that ease of use and customer support are the real drivers of satisfaction.Insights into the Optimal Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management Solutions for Private Equity Firms Market research shows that the efficiency of shift scheduling and workforce management tools can significantly impact the operational success of private equity firms.Insights into the Optimal Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management Solutions for Private Equity Firms Market research shows that the efficiency of shift scheduling and workforce management tools can significantly impact the operational success of private equity firms. Data indicates that platforms like Deputy and When I Work are often highlighted in customer reviews for their user-friendly interfaces and robust features, making them popular choices among businesses seeking to streamline their workforce management. Interestingly, industry reports suggest that flexibility in scheduling can lead to higher employee satisfaction, a crucial factor for firms aiming to maintain a competitive edge in a fast-paced market. When comparing specifications, many consumers indicate that Deputy excels in its integration capabilities with existing HR systems, while When I Work is commonly noted for its mobile accessibility. These features may help firms respond swiftly to workforce changes, a critical advantage in the private equity space where adaptability is key. What’s often overlooked is that while flashy marketing may tout advanced analytics as essential, research suggests that ease of use and customer support are the real drivers of satisfaction. After all, who wants to spend hours untangling a complex dashboard? In fact, a survey from Capterra indicated that 70% of users prioritize customer support when choosing a scheduling solution. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Deputy has a storied history, having been founded in Australia in 2013, and has since expanded its global footprint by focusing on customer-centric development. For firms working within budget constraints, both Deputy and When I Work offer tiered pricing plans, making them accessible regardless of size. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the unique needs of the firm—whether that’s seasonal staffing flexibility or integration with existing systems. Just remember, when it comes to scheduling software, it’s not just about finding the right tool; it’s about finding one that fits your team like a well-tailored suit—without the risk of a wardrobe malfunction during a critical merger!
ViaPeople is a specialized SaaS solution designed to manage performance in investment firms like hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment banks. Its industry-specific features facilitate workforce management, shift scheduling, and human resources tasks, addressing the unique needs of the private equity industry.
ViaPeople is a specialized SaaS solution designed to manage performance in investment firms like hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment banks. Its industry-specific features facilitate workforce management, shift scheduling, and human resources tasks, addressing the unique needs of the private equity industry.
Best for teams that are
PE firms assessing leadership talent and succession planning in portfolios
Investment firms needing 360-degree feedback and performance reviews
Organizations focused on talent strategy and executive coaching
Skip if
Companies looking for hourly shift scheduling or time and attendance tools
Businesses needing workforce management for frontline workers
Organizations seeking automated payroll or operational shift logistics
Expert Take
Our analysis shows ViaPeople solves the primary friction point in financial services performance management: the disconnect between annual reviews and deal-based work. By allowing firms to trigger feedback cycles immediately upon a deal's close, it captures accurate performance data that generic tools miss. Research indicates this 'Deal Team' functionality, combined with expert support from industrial-organizational psychologists, makes it a uniquely powerful tool for private equity and hedge funds despite its older interface.
Pros
Triggers feedback cycles based on deal milestones
Consulting from industrial-organizational psychologists included
Customizable 9-box succession planning grids
Tailored specifically for investment banking workflows
Strong encryption and access control policies
Cons
User interface described as outdated by some
SOC 2 Type 1 only (not Type 2)
Limited pre-built HRIS integrations reported
Pricing is not publicly transparent
Setup can be resource-intensive without dedicated HR
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.8/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.0
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
Features specifically designed to handle the complex, project-based performance evaluation needs of investment firms and deal teams.
What We Found
ViaPeople offers a specialized 'Deal Team Feedback' module that triggers reviews based on deal milestones (e.g., deal close) rather than calendar dates, alongside standard 360-degree feedback and succession planning tools.
Score Rationale
The score is high because the product addresses the specific, critical need for event-based feedback in investment banking that generic HR tools fail to support.
Supporting Evidence
Includes succession planning tools like 9-box grids to help leaders make accurate talent assessments. Using the 9 box tool in viaPeople's succession planning solution helped our leaders make more accurate talent assessments and create targeted development plans.
— viapeople.com
The platform enables firms to launch feedback cycles automatically based on deal activity rather than arbitrary annual dates. You can also automatically launch feedback cycles based on deal activity. That means rather than arbitrarily gathering performance feedback at the end of a quarter or year, you can use events such as an announcement, pitch, or deal close
— viapeople.com
9.1
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
Evidence of adoption by reputable financial institutions and longevity in the market.
What We Found
Founded in 2002, ViaPeople has a long track record and is used by notable firms like CarVal Investors and Canaan Partners, with testimonials highlighting their expertise in the financial services sector.
Score Rationale
The company demonstrates strong credibility through over two decades of operation and specific, verifiable endorsements from major players in the investment industry.
Supporting Evidence
CarVal Investors, a global alternative investment manager, publicly endorses the platform for its flexibility and support. viaPeople is simply the best performance and talent management company covering the financial services sector. ... Justin Kulo. Chief Human Resources Officer, CarVal Investors.
— viapeople.com
The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Plainsboro, NJ. ViaPeople is a funded company based in Plainsboro (United States), founded in 2002
— tracxn.com
8.7
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
An intuitive interface that busy investment professionals can use with minimal training, backed by responsive support.
What We Found
While users praise the intuitive nature of the tools and the exceptional support from industrial-organizational psychologists, some independent reviews note the user interface appears outdated compared to modern SaaS competitors.
Score Rationale
The score is strong due to high praise for 'white-glove' support and ease of use, though slightly tempered by valid criticisms regarding the aging visual interface.
Supporting Evidence
The company employs industrial-organizational psychologists to guide clients, adding significant service value beyond the software. Our industrial organizational psychologists have decades of experience in talent management technology
— viapeople.com
Users describe the interface as simple and intuitive, allowing for robust data collection. First, the technology UI is simple and intuitive, allowing our employees to engage with the system and provide a robust set of human capital data.
— viapeople.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
Clear pricing structures that align with the premium nature of specialized financial services software.
What We Found
Pricing is not publicly transparent on the vendor site; third-party sources suggest a per-user model that can be perceived as expensive, likely due to the bundled consulting services.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower than others due to the lack of public pricing transparency and user feedback citing high costs, which is common but frustrating in enterprise software.
Supporting Evidence
Other sources suggest a per-user monthly model starting around $5-$10 depending on volume. For 1 user, the monthly cost is $10... For 10 users, the monthly cost is $80... viaPeople offers a subscription-based pricing model starting at $5 per user per month
— itqlick.com
Third-party reviews indicate the software is perceived as expensive, with some sources citing a $5,000 starting price point (likely a minimum engagement fee). User reviews describe the software as expensive, with a reported cost of $5,000.
— selecthub.com
8.8
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
Rigorous security standards (SOC 2) required to protect sensitive compensation and performance data in financial firms.
What We Found
ViaPeople maintains a dedicated Trust Center and has achieved SOC 2 Type 1 compliance, along with encryption-in-transit and strict access control policies.
Score Rationale
The presence of a transparent Trust Center and SOC 2 certification supports a high score, though the 'Type 1' (point-in-time) rather than 'Type 2' (period of time) certification is a notable distinction.
Supporting Evidence
Security measures include encryption-in-transit and unique access IDs for personnel. Service data transmitted over the internet is encrypted-in-transit. Personnel are assigned unique IDs to access sensitive systems
— trust.viapeople.com
The company has achieved SOC 2 Type 1 compliance. Compliance SOC 2 Type 1
— trust.viapeople.com
9.4
Category 6: Deal Team & Project Workflows
What We Looked For
Capabilities that align performance reviews with the irregular, project-based nature of investment deals.
What We Found
The platform excels here by allowing firms to customize feedback forms based on an employee's specific role in a deal and launch reviews immediately upon deal close, solving the 'recency bias' problem of annual reviews.
Score Rationale
This is the product's standout differentiator, perfectly matching the operational reality of investment firms where work is deal-centric rather than calendar-centric.
Supporting Evidence
The system solves the challenge of tracking who worked on which deals and how they performed by capturing data in real-time. our software solves the problems every firm faces at year-end: Who worked on what deals? How did they perform on each deal?
— viapeople.com
Feedback can be customized based on the employee's seniority and specific role within a deal team. you can customize the type of feedback you record based on an employee's level of seniority and their role in the deal team.
— viapeople.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
The company lists SOC 2 Type 1 compliance, which is less comprehensive than the Type 2 standard often preferred by financial enterprises.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Fountain Shift is a robust, industry-specific scheduling program designed to streamline and automate shift creation for professionals in private equity firms. It focuses on eliminating scheduling errors, saving time, and ensuring smooth operations, which are essential for the heavy workload and fast-paced environment of private equity firms.
Fountain Shift is a robust, industry-specific scheduling program designed to streamline and automate shift creation for professionals in private equity firms. It focuses on eliminating scheduling errors, saving time, and ensuring smooth operations, which are essential for the heavy workload and fast-paced environment of private equity firms.
ERROR-FREE SCHEDULING
Best for teams that are
High-volume hourly employers like logistics, delivery, and retail chains
Organizations already using Fountain for high-volume hiring
Operations needing AI to automatically fill shift gaps with available workers
Skip if
Corporate or white-collar environments with fixed 9-to-5 schedules
Low-turnover businesses that do not engage in high-volume hiring
Companies needing a comprehensive payroll and benefits administration system
Expert Take
Our analysis shows that Fountain Shift distinguishes itself through its 'Agentic AI,' which moves beyond passive scheduling to actively negotiating shifts with workers. Research indicates this autonomous approach is particularly effective for high-volume, high-turnover environments where manual scheduling is a bottleneck. Based on documented features, its ability to integrate real-time POS data with labor availability makes it a powerful tool for optimizing frontline operations.
Pros
Agentic AI autonomously fills shifts
Mobile-first design for frontline workers
Integrates with POS for demand planning
Trusted by Amazon DSP and UPS
Reduces manual scheduling time significantly
Cons
Opaque pricing requires custom quotes
Compliance tools are US-centric
Steep learning curve for admins
Potential overlap with existing ATS
May be expensive for small businesses
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.8/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.9
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the software's ability to handle complex scheduling, automation, and workforce management tasks specifically for high-volume frontline scenarios.
What We Found
Fountain Shift utilizes "Agentic AI" to autonomously fill open shifts, manage call-outs, and send real-time reminders without requiring manual manager intervention. It supports custom rules for shift logic, breaks, overtime, and location coverage, specifically designed for hourly environments.
Score Rationale
The score is high because the autonomous "Agentic AI" capability significantly reduces manual administrative work, though it is anchored below 9.0 due to reported limitations in global compliance features outside the U.S.
Supporting Evidence
The platform allows for custom rules regarding shift logic, breaks, overtime, and location coverage. Custom rules for shift logic, breaks, overtime, and location coverage.
— fountain.com
Fountain Shift uses AI agents to fill open shifts fast—no texts, spreadsheets, or last-minute scrambles. Fountain Shift uses AI agents to fill open shifts fast—no texts, spreadsheets, or last-minute scrambles. It automatically matches workers, sends reminders, and adapts in real time
— fountain.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for adoption by major enterprise clients, verified partnerships with industry leaders, and a strong track record in the high-volume hiring space.
What We Found
Fountain is trusted by massive high-volume employers like Amazon DSPs, UPS, and Sweetgreen. It maintains strategic integration partnerships with major HRIS providers including SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and ADP, validating its enterprise-grade credibility.
Score Rationale
The score reflects strong trust signals from top-tier enterprise customers and major ecosystem partners, establishing it as a leader in the high-volume niche.
Supporting Evidence
Integrates seamlessly with major HR platforms like SAP SuccessFactors and ADP. Fountain Hire integrates seamlessly with SAP® SuccessFactors® Employee Central... Fully integrated with ADP
— fountain.com
Trusted by major companies including UPS, Amazon DSP, Sweetgreen, and Bojangles. Trusted by companies like UPS, Amazon DSP, Sweetgreen, and Bojangles
— outsail.co
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We assess the ease of use for both managers creating schedules and frontline workers accessing them via mobile devices.
What We Found
The platform offers a mobile-first interface allowing workers to request, pick up, and drop shifts easily. While the worker experience is highly rated for reducing friction, some administrative users report a steep learning curve and implementation challenges.
Score Rationale
The score is strong due to the excellent mobile experience for workers, but slightly impacted by reports of implementation difficulty and a learning curve for the backend tools.
Supporting Evidence
Users have noted that while features are robust, the platform can be difficult to learn initially. Users find it difficult to learn Fountain initially, despite its abundance of tools and features.
— g2.com
Workers can make dynamic shift changes directly through their mobile devices. Workers can make dynamic shift changes through their mobile devices
— businesswire.com
8.2
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate pricing transparency, flexibility, and the return on investment relative to the cost for high-volume operations.
What We Found
Pricing is not publicly transparent and requires a custom quote, though third-party research estimates costs around $4-8 per employee per month. While this offers value for large enterprises, it may be cost-prohibitive or redundant for smaller businesses or those with existing ATS solutions.
Score Rationale
The score is lower than others because pricing is opaque and the per-employee model can be expensive for smaller firms, despite the high ROI for large enterprises.
Supporting Evidence
Pricing is customized and not listed directly on the website. The vendor offers a customized pricing plan... Get in touch for a tailored Fountain cost estimate.
— softwarefinder.com
Estimated pricing is approximately $4-8 per employee per month. Fountain offers a competitive pricing structure at approximately $4-8 per employee per month (PEPM).
— outsail.co
9.3
Category 5: Agentic AI & Automation
What We Looked For
We examine the specific capabilities of AI agents to autonomously handle workforce tasks without human oversight.
What We Found
Fountain Shift's 'Agentic AI' goes beyond simple scheduling by actively identifying coverage gaps and autonomously negotiating with workers to fill them. It handles shift creation, fulfillment, and call-out adjustments automatically, acting as an always-on manager.
Score Rationale
This category receives a very high score as the 'Agentic' capability is a market-leading differentiator that fundamentally changes the workflow from management to supervision.
Supporting Evidence
The system autonomously texts qualified workers as shifts open to increase fill rates. Texts qualified workers as shifts open to increase fill rates and reduce overtime
— businesswire.com
AI agents offload manual tasks like shift creation and fulfillment. Leverages AI agents to offload manual scheduling tasks such as shift creation and fulfillment
— businesswire.com
9.0
Category 6: Frontline Workforce Optimization
What We Looked For
We assess how well the tool addresses the unique volatility and compliance needs of hourly, shift-based workforces.
What We Found
The platform is purpose-built for high-turnover environments, integrating compliance (like I-9s) directly into the scheduling flow. It supports location-verified clock-ins and integrates with POS systems to align staffing with real-time business demand.
Score Rationale
The score is high because it addresses the specific pain points of the frontline niche (turnover, no-shows, compliance) better than generic workforce tools.
Supporting Evidence
Ensures reliable coverage with location-verified clock-ins. Ensure reliable coverage with location-verified clock-ins.
— fountain.com
Integrates with POS systems to dynamically align staffing with business demands. Integrates with point-of-sale systems to dynamically align staffing with business demands
— businesswire.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Users have reported a steep learning curve and difficulties during the initial implementation phase.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
The feature set may be redundant for companies that already possess a robust corporate ATS, as Fountain is specialized specifically for frontline roles.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Paylocity is a SaaS solution specifically designed for Private Equity firms to streamline workforce management and shift scheduling. It's well-suited for this industry due to its robust features that simplify the complex process of creating and realizing workforce value, thus accelerating growth at every stage of the investment lifecycle.
Paylocity is a SaaS solution specifically designed for Private Equity firms to streamline workforce management and shift scheduling. It's well-suited for this industry due to its robust features that simplify the complex process of creating and realizing workforce value, thus accelerating growth at every stage of the investment lifecycle.
TOP EFFICIENCY BOOSTER
REAL-TIME COMMUNICATOR
Best for teams that are
Mid-market PE portfolios requiring rapid implementation (carve-outs)
Firms wanting a unified dashboard for HR and payroll data across holdings
US-based portfolio companies needing streamlined compliance and benefits
Skip if
Global enterprises with complex international payroll requirements
Micro-businesses (under 50 employees) where the suite may be overkill
Firms looking solely for a standalone scheduling tool without payroll
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Paylocity distinguishes itself for Private Equity through its specialized 'Amplify' program, which specifically targets the speed required for M&A carve-outs with documented 4-week go-live timelines. Research indicates the recent acquisition of Airbase significantly expands its utility beyond HR into the 'Office of the CFO,' offering unified spend management crucial for portfolio oversight. Based on documented features, the platform's ability to provide cross-portfolio data visibility allows firms to standardize execution and drive value creation across diverse assets.
Pros
Rapid 4-week implementation for M&A
Unified HR and Finance (Airbase)
Cross-portfolio data visibility
Publicly traded reliability (NASDAQ: PCTY)
Dedicated Private Equity support teams
Cons
High account manager turnover
Reports of tax filing errors
Opaque quote-based pricing
Billing transparency issues
Mixed user interface feedback
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.1
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of HCM features and specific tools tailored for private equity needs like M&A support and cross-portfolio reporting.
What We Found
Paylocity offers a comprehensive HCM suite enhanced by the recent Airbase acquisition for spend management, specifically targeting PE with standardized playbooks and cross-portfolio visibility.
Score Rationale
The score reflects the platform's robust core HR capabilities combined with specialized PE features like rapid carve-out support, though tax filing automation has reported edge-case failures.
Supporting Evidence
The platform provides 'Cross-Portfolio Data Visibility' with consolidated reporting to uncover trends across investments. Consolidated reporting and analytics to help you uncover trends, accelerate decisions, and drive measurable impact.
— paylocity.com
The acquisition of Airbase expands capabilities into the 'Office of the CFO,' adding bill pay, expense management, and procurement to the platform. The integration of Airbase's finance solutions with Paylocity's HCM platform will allow companies to manage all payroll and non-payroll spend through a single pane of glass
— investors.paylocity.com
The dedicated PE Program offers 'Rapid 4 week go-lives' and milestone-based onboarding tailored specifically for carve-outs and add-ons. Rapid 4 week go-lives and milestone based onboarding tailored to carve outs and add-ons to match your fast paced deal timelines.
— paylocity.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess the vendor's financial stability, public market status, user base size, and industry recognition.
What We Found
As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: PCTY) with over 36,000 clients and consistent G2 leadership, Paylocity demonstrates exceptional market stability and trust.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored by its status as a profitable public company with a multi-billion dollar market cap and 28 consecutive quarters as a G2 Leader, signaling low counterparty risk for PE firms.
Supporting Evidence
Paylocity was recognized as one of 'America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity' by Newsweek in 2025. Paylocity is honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2025.
— paylocity.com
The company serves over 36,000 clients and has been named a G2 Leader for 28 consecutive quarters. Paylocity has been named a G2 leader for the 28th straight quarter highlighting its innovation, ease of use, and trusted support.
— paylocity.com
Paylocity is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: PCTY) with a market capitalization of approximately $7.6 billion as of early 2026. As of January 2026 Paylocity has a market cap of $7.59 Billion USD.
— companiesmarketcap.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We examine user interface design, ease of adoption, and the quality and responsiveness of customer support.
What We Found
While the interface is widely praised for ease of use and mobile accessibility, significant user feedback highlights inconsistencies in support responsiveness and account manager turnover.
Score Rationale
The score balances its 'Leader' status for ease of use on review platforms against documented complaints regarding support turnover and difficulty reaching live agents.
Supporting Evidence
The mobile app is highly rated (4.8/5 stars) and cited as a key differentiator for employee self-service. Top-rated mobile app both admins and employees love. 4.8/5 Stars | Apple App Store.
— paylocity.com
Users on forums report frustration with high turnover of dedicated account managers, impacting service continuity. We've gotten a new dedicated account manager each year, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are dedicated to only us.
— reddit.com
G2 reviews consistently rank Paylocity as a leader in 'Ease of Use' and 'User Experience' for mid-market platforms. G2 user satisfaction ratings also place Paylocity as leading its competitors in ease of use
— paylocity.com
8.4
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing models, public transparency of costs, and the availability of volume discounts or partner programs.
What We Found
Pricing is quote-based and not publicly listed, though the PE program offers 'exclusive offers' and marketing funds; users report some billing clarity issues.
Score Rationale
The score is lower than others due to the lack of public pricing transparency and documented user complaints about hidden fees, despite the existence of a partner program.
Supporting Evidence
Users have reported difficulty understanding invoices and unexpected fees for support usage. Paylocity also seems to charge me more (fees are billed with payrolls) when I utilize support more. Hard to get a clear breakdown on their invoices sometimes.
— reddit.com
The 'Amplify' partner program for Private Equity includes financial incentives like discounts and marketing funds. Benefits for referral partners in our Amplify program include: Discounts & Marketing Funds
— paylocity.com
Pricing is typically Per Employee Per Month (PEPM), estimated around $22-32, but requires a custom quote. A Paylocity subscription can cost anywhere from $22-32 PEPM, depending on the size of your company and the modules included in your scope.
— outsail.co
9.2
Category 5: M&A Agility & Portfolio Scalability
What We Looked For
We investigate features specifically designed for the speed and complexity of private equity transactions, such as carve-outs and rapid deployment.
What We Found
Paylocity demonstrates strong capability here with a documented 4-week go-live promise and specialized teams for handling carve-outs and add-ons.
Score Rationale
This category scores highly because the 4-week implementation timeline is a critical differentiator for PE firms needing to stand up HRIS quickly post-acquisition.
Supporting Evidence
Dedicated PE specialists are assigned for implementation to ensure accountability during transitions. Portfolio companies get direct access to PE specialists for Implementation and Service for consistent, accountable delivery.
— paylocity.com
The platform provides 'Standardized Execution' with playbooks to ensure consistent data and metrics across a portfolio. Purpose-built for PE firms with dedicated teams, standardized playbooks, and portfolio-wide transparency.
— paylocity.com
Paylocity offers a 'Rapid 4 week go-live' specifically tailored for PE deal timelines. Rapid 4 week go-lives and milestone based onboarding tailored to carve outs and add-ons to match your fast paced deal timelines.
— paylocity.com
9.0
Category 6: Financial & Ecosystem Integration
What We Looked For
We look for integration breadth and capabilities that extend beyond HR into finance, supporting the 'Office of the CFO'.
What We Found
The acquisition of Airbase and a marketplace with 300+ integrations positions Paylocity as a unified platform for HR and Finance data.
Score Rationale
The strategic expansion into spend management via Airbase and a robust API marketplace justifies a high score, as it allows PE firms to consolidate vendor spend.
Supporting Evidence
Paylocity provides open APIs and webhooks for custom integrations and real-time data flow. For clients, APIs open our single platform so data flows automatically between systems and is always up-to-date
— paylocity.com
The Integration Marketplace hosts over 300 partners across benefits, retirement, and insurance. Integration Marketplace connects Paylocity with these additional, essential business systems by allowing clients to explore more than 300 partners
— investors.paylocity.com
Paylocity acquired Airbase to integrate spend management, accounts payable, and corporate cards into its platform. The acquisition of Airbase represents an expansion of Paylocity's suite... expanding the Paylocity total addressable market beyond HCM and further into the Office of the CFO.
— investors.paylocity.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Some clients report a lack of billing transparency, citing difficulty in obtaining clear invoice breakdowns and unexpected charges for support utilization.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
There are consistent complaints regarding the high turnover of dedicated account managers, leading to service gaps and the need for clients to re-explain issues to new reps.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Users have reported significant issues with tax filing accuracy, including missed state filings that resulted in substantial financial penalties for clients.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Shyftplan is a leading SaaS provider for shift scheduling and workforce management, specifically designed for private equity firms. Its AI-supported, automated shift scheduling helps manage the workforce more efficiently, addressing the unique needs of the industry like irregular work hours, multiple shifts, and intense workload.
Shyftplan is a leading SaaS provider for shift scheduling and workforce management, specifically designed for private equity firms. Its AI-supported, automated shift scheduling helps manage the workforce more efficiently, addressing the unique needs of the industry like irregular work hours, multiple shifts, and intense workload.
24/7 SUPPORT
Best for teams that are
Manufacturing and industrial companies with complex shift rotations
Organizations using SAP (certified partner) needing deep ERP integration
Companies in the DACH region or Europe requiring GDPR-compliant automation
Skip if
Small retail or hospitality businesses with simple scheduling needs
US-centric firms requiring native US payroll processing within the scheduler
Companies looking for a standalone hiring or applicant tracking system
Expert Take
Our analysis shows shyftplan excels in complex industrial environments where standard scheduling tools fail. Research indicates its AI automation significantly reduces planning time for intricate shift rotations, backed by robust SAP integrations and ISO 27001 security. While the high entry price listed on the SAP Store suggests it is over-engineered for small businesses, it is a top-tier choice for mid-to-large enterprises requiring strict compliance and scalability.
Pros
AI-driven automated shift scheduling
Certified SAP and Personio integrations
ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certified
Scalable for complex industrial shifts
Native mobile app for employees
Cons
High minimum cost for small teams
Steep learning curve for planners
Pricing not transparent on main site
Advanced integrations gated to Enterprise
Occasional mobile app glitches
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.2
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the software's ability to handle complex shift models, automate scheduling via AI, and manage workforce data at scale.
What We Found
shyftplan offers AI-supported automated shift scheduling that accounts for over 20 criteria including qualifications, legal constraints, and employee preferences, scalable to thousands of employees.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to its advanced AI automation and ability to handle complex industrial shift rotations, though it is specifically optimized for larger enterprises rather than simple use cases.
Supporting Evidence
The solution supports complex shift models including rotations and is scalable to thousands of employees. The solution is scalable to thousands of employees, even for complex cases.
— sap.com
AI-supported automation calculates ideal shift plans considering 20+ factors like qualifications and machine utilization. shyftplan's powerful AI calculates the correlation between the factors and suggests the ideal shift schedule.
— shyftplan.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for major investments, reputable customer bases, and verified partnerships with industry leaders.
What We Found
shyftplan secured a majority investment from Maguar Capital in June 2024 and serves major industrial clients like Siemens Energy, ZF, and Mercedes-Benz.
Score Rationale
The recent majority investment by a specialized B2B software investor and a client roster featuring DAX companies establishes exceptional market credibility.
Supporting Evidence
The company serves blue-chip enterprises including Siemens Energy, ZF, Krones, and Bosch. ranging from blue-chip enterprises such as Siemens Energy, ZF, Krones, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch
— brownstone-partners.de
Maguar Capital completed a majority investment in shyftplan in June 2024 to boost growth in the industrial sector. Maguar... is pleased to announce its majority investment in shyftplan... The investment... marks the third investment of Maguar Fund II.
— maguar.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We assess the intuitiveness of the interface for both planners and employees, including mobile accessibility and ease of use.
What We Found
The platform offers a drag-and-drop interface and a mobile app for employees, though some users report the extensive filtering options can be initially overwhelming.
Score Rationale
While the mobile app and automation features drive high satisfaction, the learning curve for complex planner settings prevents a perfect score.
Supporting Evidence
Some planners find the variety of settings and filters overwhelming without training. The various settings (filters) seem overwhelming at first. Certainly, one will have to refer back to the training materials
— g2.com
Users report the employee app is easy to use for shift applications and clocking in. The employee app for smartphones is super easy to use... Employees can apply for shifts, clock in via app and web app
— g2.com
8.2
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate pricing transparency, entry costs, and value for money relative to the target market segment.
What We Found
Pricing is generally quote-based, but SAP Store listings reveal a high entry point (€2,750/month for 100 licenses), making it less accessible for smaller businesses.
Score Rationale
The score reflects the high minimum cost and lack of public pricing on the main site, which aligns it strictly with enterprise budgets rather than SMBs.
Supporting Evidence
Users note the solution is expensive for smaller companies (e.g., 50 employees) compared to alternatives. Shyftplan — good if you are a really large company... really only suitable for paying Enterprise customers.
— g2.com
The Partner Edition is listed on the SAP Store at €2,750.00 per month for 100 licenses. Partner Edition... Includes 100 License. Per Month EUR 2,750.00.
— sap.com
9.5
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We examine certifications, GDPR compliance, and data hosting locations relevant to European labor laws.
What We Found
shyftplan holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, ensures GDPR compliance, and hosts data in Germany, meeting strict enterprise security standards.
Score Rationale
With dual certifications (ISO 27001 and SOC 2) and German hosting, it meets the highest standards for data protection required by European works councils.
Supporting Evidence
Data is hosted in a secure data center in Germany. Your data is securely hosted in a German data center.
— shyftplan.com
The company is certified according to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 standards. shyftplan is ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certified and therefore meets the highest standards of data security.
— shyftplan.com
9.0
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We look for certified connectors to major HR and ERP systems and the quality of API documentation.
What We Found
The product is a certified SAP partner with standard interfaces for SAP SuccessFactors, HCM, and APO, plus integrations for Personio and a REST API.
Score Rationale
Strong SAP certification and a dedicated integration layer (shyftConnect) justify a high score, though some advanced integrations are gated behind Enterprise plans.
Supporting Evidence
The platform offers a standard integration for Personio. With the Personio and shyftplan integration, newly created employees are automatically transferred to shyftplan every hour.
— marketplace.personio.com
shyftplan is a certified SAP partner with seamless connections to APO, HCM, and SuccessFactors. As a certified SAP partner, shyftplan can be seamlessly connected to common demand and personnel planning tools such as APO, HCM or SuccessFactors.
— shyftplan.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Users have reported technical issues with the mobile app, such as notifications not working or avatars not loading.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
When I Work is a powerful, shift-based workforce management SaaS solution designed specifically for private equity firms. It offers a unique employee-first approach to streamline scheduling, enhance productivity, and reduce labor costs, addressing the unique demands of managing a diverse and often geographically dispersed workforce in the private equity industry.
When I Work is a powerful, shift-based workforce management SaaS solution designed specifically for private equity firms. It offers a unique employee-first approach to streamline scheduling, enhance productivity, and reduce labor costs, addressing the unique demands of managing a diverse and often geographically dispersed workforce in the private equity industry.
COST SAVER
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC
Best for teams that are
SMBs in retail, hospitality, and healthcare with hourly shift workers
Teams needing a mobile-first solution for easy shift swapping and communication
Businesses seeking an affordable, quick-to-implement scheduling tool
Skip if
Large enterprises requiring complex custom integrations or advanced labor forecasting
Organizations needing a full-suite HCM platform beyond scheduling and time tracking
Non-shift based corporate environments
Expert Take
Our analysis shows When I Work excels at simplifying workforce management for deskless teams through its mobile-first design and robust payroll integrations. Research indicates it effectively bridges the gap between scheduling and payroll for SMBs by connecting seamlessly with providers like Gusto and ADP. While it lacks the deep field monitoring tools of enterprise competitors, its affordability and ease of use make it a standout choice for retail and hospitality sectors.
Pros
Affordable starting price at $2.50/user/month
Seamless integrations with ADP, Gusto, and QuickBooks
Intuitive mobile-first design for frontline workers
Robust auto-scheduling and shift swapping features
SOC2 and GDPR compliant security standards
Cons
No permanent free plan (14-day trial only)
Mobile app prone to crashes and sync errors
No phone support available for customers
Lacks continuous GPS tracking for field teams
Limited customizability for complex enterprise needs
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.4/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.7
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of scheduling features, time-tracking precision, and automation capabilities specifically for shift-based workforces.
What We Found
The platform offers robust drag-and-drop scheduling, auto-scheduling, and team messaging, but lacks advanced monitoring features like continuous GPS tracking or biometric hardware support found in enterprise competitors.
Score Rationale
The score reflects a strong core feature set for SMBs, slightly limited by the absence of advanced field tracking and project-based job costing tools.
Supporting Evidence
Does not support biometric hardware time clocks, relying instead on photo verification. It... doesn't include any biometric timekeeping features such as facial recognition to reduce time theft.
— buddypunch.com
Lacks continuous GPS tracking capabilities, offering only point-in-time location verification at clock-in/out. WIW only uses location data during clock-in/out. For GPS tracking, you'd need a separate solution.
— everhour.com
Offers 96% of tools for creating and managing employee shifts out-of-the-box, including auto-scheduling and shift bidding. Our research shows that When I Work offers 96% of tools for creating and managing employee shifts out-of-the-box.
— selecthub.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess user adoption rates, third-party review volume, and industry recognition to gauge market standing.
What We Found
When I Work is a dominant player with over 200,000 workplaces and consistently high ratings across major review platforms like G2 and Capterra.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored by its massive user base and status as a 'Category Leader', indicating exceptional market trust and maturity.
Supporting Evidence
Recognized as a 'Category Leader' by GetApp and 'Fastest Implementation' by G2. “2021 Category Leader” - Getapp "Fastest Implementation" - G2 Crowd
— apps.apple.com
Used by more than 200,000 workplaces globally. Join more than 200,000 workplaces running on When I Work
— apps.apple.com
8.9
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We analyze the ease of adoption for frontline workers, mobile app performance, and the quality of customer support channels.
What We Found
Users consistently praise the intuitive mobile-first design, though significant complaints exist regarding app glitches, sync issues, and the lack of phone-based support.
Score Rationale
While the interface is highly rated for ease of use, the score is capped below 9.0 due to documented stability issues and restricted support channels.
Supporting Evidence
Reviewers highlight the platform's ease of use for simple communication and shift management. Users find the ease of use of When I Work impressive, facilitating simple communication and shift management.
— g2.com
Customer support is limited to chat and tickets, with no phone support available. When I Work's lack of phone support could be a significant drawback for some businesses.
— business.com
Users report mobile app instability, including freezing and crashing during clock-ins. For instance, when I tried to clock in for a shift as a worker, the app froze with the loading sign.
— connecteam.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We examine the cost-per-user relative to features, the transparency of pricing tiers, and the existence of free plans.
What We Found
Pricing is highly competitive starting at $2.50/user, but the removal of the 'free forever' plan and reports of hidden fees impact the overall value proposition.
Score Rationale
The score reflects excellent affordability for SMBs, but is penalized for the lack of a permanent free tier and user complaints regarding pricing transparency.
Supporting Evidence
Users have reported frustration with hidden costs and lack of clear pricing information. Users have complained about the vendor's pricing practices, which include hidden costs and a lack of clear information before signing up.
— selecthub.com
The platform no longer offers a permanent free plan, only a 14-day trial. When I Work does not provide a permanent free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial
— agendrix.com
Paid plans start at an affordable $2.50 per user per month for single locations. The plan for single locations is $2.50 per user, per month
— wheniwork.com
9.0
Category 5: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We evaluate the depth of connectivity with payroll, POS, and HR systems critical for shift-based business operations.
What We Found
The platform offers seamless, pre-built integrations with major SMB payroll providers like ADP, Gusto, and QuickBooks, effectively closing the loop between scheduling and payment.
Score Rationale
A high score is warranted due to the comprehensive coverage of major payroll systems, which is a primary requirement for the target SMB demographic.
Supporting Evidence
Integration with Square POS allows syncing of sales data for labor forecasting. When activating the integration, you'll be able to sync attendance and timesheets, employees, positions, sales, and locations
— squareup.com
Integrates directly with major payroll providers including ADP, Gusto, QuickBooks, and Square. Follow our instructions to set up a payroll integration with any of these payroll processors: Rippling... ADP Workforce Now... Gusto... Paychex... QuickBooks Online... Square.
— help.wheniwork.net
8.8
Category 6: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We verify adherence to industry standards like SOC2 and GDPR, and the implementation of security features like MFA.
What We Found
When I Work demonstrates strong security posture with SOC2 and GDPR compliance, along with essential features like token-based authentication and TLS encryption.
Score Rationale
The score reflects a robust security framework suitable for SMBs and mid-market enterprises, meeting all standard compliance requirements.
Supporting Evidence
Uses token-based authentication and enforces TLS v1.2 for secure connections. When I Work uses token-based authentication... A TLS v1.2 compliant version of your web browser or mobile app is required
— help.wheniwork.com
Maintains SOC2, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliance. GDPR, SOC2, and ISO 27001 compliance ensures security and privacy.
— wheniwork.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
The platform lacks continuous GPS tracking (only offering point-in-time geofencing) and does not support biometric hardware, limiting its utility for strict field management.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
NetSuite SuitePeople Workforce Management is a powerful SaaS solution tailored for Private Equity Firms. Its all-in-one platform simplifies employee scheduling, hours tracking, and wage calculation, allowing firms to streamline HR processes. The software's robust analytics and reporting capabilities provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making.
NetSuite SuitePeople Workforce Management is a powerful SaaS solution tailored for Private Equity Firms. Its all-in-one platform simplifies employee scheduling, hours tracking, and wage calculation, allowing firms to streamline HR processes. The software's robust analytics and reporting capabilities provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making.
INTEGRATION MASTER
Best for teams that are
Existing NetSuite ERP customers wanting unified finance and HR data
Mid-market companies needing to link labor costs directly to financial reporting
Organizations preferring a single-vendor suite over best-of-breed integrations
Skip if
Businesses not currently using or planning to use NetSuite ERP
Companies seeking a standalone WFM solution without migrating core systems
Small businesses with simple needs that don't justify an ERP module
Expert Take
NetSuite SuitePeople Workforce Management stands out for its industry-specific benefits. For Private Equity Firms, the comprehensive HR management, robust reporting, and seamless integration with the NetSuite suite provide a holistic workforce solution. This enables firms to efficiently manage their workforce, gain valuable insights, and make strategic decisions. The scalability of the platform, which can grow with the firm, is another major plus.
Pros
Comprehensive HR management
Robust reporting capabilities
Intuitive interface
Scalable solution
Integration with NetSuite suite
Cons
Requires NetSuite ERP
Potentially overwhelming feature set
May be costly for smaller firms
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.2/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.4
Category 1: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for intuitive interfaces for both managers and frontline employees, along with responsive support channels.
What We Found
While the mobile app facilitates self-service, users report significant friction with support responsiveness and implementation complexity.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted by documented complaints regarding support quality and the steep learning curve associated with the interface.
Supporting Evidence
The mobile app allows employees to clock in/out, swap shifts, and view schedules remotely. The NetSuite SuitePeople Workforce Management app provides employees and managers a quick and easy way to: Confirm and check schedules... Clock in and out with geo tagging.
— apps.apple.com
Users have reported significant frustration with payroll product support and unresolved tax filing issues. It is easily the worst payroll product I have ever used... No one at NetSuite can help, because it is actually a company called Ceridian that handles everything and they won't speak with you.
— reddit.com
8.0
Category 2: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing structures for clarity, predictability, and return on investment relative to feature set.
What We Found
Pricing is opaque and enterprise-tier, with significant implementation costs ($30k-$150k+) and recurring annual fees ($25k+).
Score Rationale
The score is lower because pricing is not public and involves complex tiers (user licenses + implementation fees), making it inaccessible for smaller businesses.
Supporting Evidence
Full user licenses cost approximately $99-$199/month, while self-service licenses are $10-$25/month. Full User License: The price per user is $99-$199/month... Employee Self-Service License: The price per user is $10-$25
— numeric.io
Implementation costs typically range from $30,000 to over $150,000 depending on complexity. Implementation (typical range): $30,000 to $150,000+
— techfino.com
9.3
Category 3: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We examine features that ensure data integrity, prevent time theft, and maintain regulatory compliance.
What We Found
The product excels with biometric verification, geo-tagging to prevent buddy punching, and automated compliance with labor regulations.
Score Rationale
This category scores highly due to robust, built-in fraud prevention tools like fingerprint scanning and photo capture, alongside automated tax compliance.
Supporting Evidence
System automates calculation of hours and overtime based on federal and state labor regulations. The system automates the calculation of hours and overtime based on federal and state labor regulations, reducing compliance risks.
— jobinandjismi.com
Optional photo capture and biometric fingerprint verification eliminates the risk of buddy clocking. Optional photo capture and biometric fingerprint verification eliminates the risk of buddy clocking.
— netsuite.com
8.8
Category 4: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We evaluate how well the WFM module connects with the broader ERP, payroll, and third-party systems.
What We Found
Native integration with NetSuite ERP/Payroll is a major strength, but API concurrency limits can hinder high-volume third-party connections.
Score Rationale
While the internal ecosystem integration is seamless, the strict API concurrency limits (default 5) impose a penalty on the score for external connectivity.
Supporting Evidence
Default API concurrency limit is set to 5, which can cause integration failures if not managed or upgraded. By default, NetSuite Connector limits the concurrent sessions it uses to five.
— docs.oracle.com
Payroll data seamlessly transfers to the ERP system, ensuring real-time updates to the general ledger. Payroll data seamlessly transfers to the ERP system, ensuring real-time updates to the general ledger and maintaining accurate financial records.
— jobinandjismi.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
High implementation costs and reliance on third-party partners can lead to budget overruns and project delays.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
UKG Private Equity delivers tailored Human Capital Management (HCM), payroll, and workforce management solutions specifically designed for mobile and contract teams in the private equity sector. It helps simplify complex scheduling, ensure compliance, and foster efficient team management, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by private equity firms.
UKG Private Equity delivers tailored Human Capital Management (HCM), payroll, and workforce management solutions specifically designed for mobile and contract teams in the private equity sector. It helps simplify complex scheduling, ensure compliance, and foster efficient team management, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by private equity firms.
AI-POWERED SCHEDULING
EMPLOYEE FIRST
Best for teams that are
PE firms looking to standardize HCM and WFM across a large portfolio
Mid-to-enterprise size portfolio companies with complex compliance needs
Organizations requiring deep operational insights and labor optimization
Skip if
Small businesses (under 100 employees) due to implementation complexity
Firms seeking a lightweight, standalone scheduling app without broader HCM
Portfolio companies with very simple, static scheduling requirements
Expert Take
Our analysis shows that UKG Private Equity stands out by directly addressing the financial imperatives of the sector—specifically driving EBITDA and managing the chaos of M&A. Unlike generic HCM tools, UKG offers a documented 'Service Governance Model' and specialized partners for carve-outs, which research indicates can shorten transition times by months. While user feedback highlights friction in the interface and support, the platform's ability to deliver 'tangible bottom-line returns' through labor optimization makes it a strategic asset for portfolio value creation.
Pros
Specialized 'Service Governance Model' for PE
Dedicated M&A and carve-out support teams
Strong backing and validation from Blackstone
AI-driven insights for labor cost control
Deep partner ecosystem for rapid deployment
Cons
High implementation fees (40-70% of annual)
Mixed reviews on support responsiveness
User interface described as 'clunky' by some
Mobile app connectivity issues reported
Complex system requires significant training
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.1/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Shift Scheduling & Workforce Management for Private Equity Firms. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.9
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of features specifically designed for private equity portfolios, including M&A lifecycle management and workforce optimization tools.
What We Found
UKG offers a specialized 'Service Governance Model' for PE firms, covering the full M&A lifecycle from deal infancy to post-close integration, with specific capabilities for risk mitigation and operational performance improvement.
Score Rationale
The score reflects the robust, purpose-built PE framework that extends beyond standard HCM features, though it is slightly tempered by the complexity of managing such a vast suite.
Supporting Evidence
UKG ranks highest in the current offering category among HCM solutions in the Q4 2025 Forrester Wave report. UKG ranks highest in current offering category among human capital management (HCM) solutions in The Forrester Wave™ Q4 2025 report.
— ukg.com
The platform supports the entire M&A lifecycle, offering integrated teams focused on guiding HR functions from deal infancy to post-close. From deal infancy to post-close, our integrated teams operate with ease and are 100% focused on guiding the HR function through the fast-paced M&A lifecycle.
— ukg.com
UKG provides a 'Service Governance Model' specially designed for private equity firms to provide personalized experiences and simplify compliance. Leverage the power of a service governance model — specially designed for private equity firms — that provides personalized experience, increases efficiency, and simplifies compliance.
— ukg.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess the vendor's standing in the PE sector, including investor backing, analyst recognition, and adoption by major firms.
What We Found
UKG is backed by heavyweights like Blackstone (who also uses the product for its portfolio), consistently ranks as a Leader in Gartner and Forrester reports, and maintains a massive partner ecosystem.
Score Rationale
The score is exceptionally high because UKG is not just a vendor but a portfolio company of Blackstone, which actively endorses the product to other portfolio companies, creating a unique trust signal.
Supporting Evidence
The company has raised over $38 billion in funding and is backed by investors like Hellman & Friedman and JMI Equity. UKG has raised $38.2B. Who are UKG's investors? W Capital Partners, Ares Management, Blackstone, Lead Edge Capital, and CPP Investments
— pitchbook.com
UKG is recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites. See why UKG is recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ report.
— ukg.com
Blackstone, a major investor, actively encourages its portfolio companies to engage with UKG to drive EBITDA and investment value. Delivering operational savings while simultaneously improving service and increasing revenues are key levers for driving EBITDA and investment value, and we actively encourage our portfolio companies to engage with UKG.
— ukg.com
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We analyze user feedback regarding ease of use, implementation speed, and the quality of ongoing support, particularly for complex deployments.
What We Found
While the PE program promises a 'personalized experience,' broader user reviews frequently cite frustration with 'glitchy' interfaces, difficult navigation, and degraded support quality following the Kronos merger.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower than others due to persistent, documented complaints about the user interface and support responsiveness, which contradict the 'white glove' promise of the PE program.
Supporting Evidence
Some users describe the interface as having 'bad UI' and being difficult to navigate. Overall user experience is really bad. The calendars are not easy to navigate and neither are retracting previously made entries. All in all, a very bad UI.
— gartner.com
Reviews indicate that customer support quality has deteriorated, with long wait times and unresolved tickets. Support is awful for any Core concerns or issues... sometimes you have to call support to get them to undo or delete something.
— reddit.com
Users report that the mobile app experiences frequent glitches and connectivity issues. My biggest complaint is that the mobile app goes down about once a month... Glitches, 'connectivity' issues.
— reddit.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We examine pricing structures, implementation costs, and the clarity of ROI claims for private equity buyers.
What We Found
Pricing is custom but estimated at $27-$37 PEPM with significant implementation fees (40-70% of annual cost); however, the focus on 'driving EBITDA' and 'operational savings' aligns perfectly with PE value creation goals.
Score Rationale
The score balances the high potential for ROI (EBITDA improvement) against the lack of public pricing transparency and the substantial upfront implementation costs.
Supporting Evidence
The PE program explicitly targets EBITDA improvement through operational savings and revenue increases. Delivering operational savings while simultaneously improving service and increasing revenues are key levers for driving EBITDA and investment value
— ukg.com
Implementation fees can be substantial, ranging from 40% to 70% of the annual software fees. Additionally, there are one-time implementation fees, which can range from 40% to 70% of the annual software fees.
— outsail.co
UKG Pro subscription costs typically range from $27 to $37 per employee per month (PEPM). UKG Pro typically charges on a quarterly or annual subscription basis, with costs ranging from $27 to 37 per employee per month (PEPM).
— outsail.co
9.1
Category 5: M&A & Carve-Out Specialization
What We Looked For
We investigate the vendor's ability to handle complex PE scenarios like carve-outs, divestitures, and rapid integrations.
What We Found
UKG has a dedicated ecosystem for these events, with partners like PayTech and Gosa Group offering specialized 'carve-out' support and playbooks to shorten Transition Service Agreements (TSAs).
Score Rationale
This score is high because UKG addresses the specific, high-stress needs of PE deal teams (speed, data separation) through specialized partners and documented methodologies.
Supporting Evidence
Outsourcing back-office functions during carve-outs can shorten TSA periods by up to six months. TSA periods may be shortened by up to six months with a fully architected back office in place on Day 1
— rsmus.com
Consulting partners create specific playbooks for UKG acquisitions and mergers to manage data consolidation and policy alignment. Gosa Group specializes in helping organizations navigate these challenges... and create a playbook for your UKG Acquisitions and UKG Mergers.
— gosagroup.com
Partners like PayTech provide a dedicated Private Equity team with extensive carve-out experience to support rapid engagement. Dedicated Private Equity team with extensive carve-out experience... Rapid engagement.
— marketplace.ukg.com
8.8
Category 6: EBITDA & Operational Intelligence
What We Looked For
We look for features that directly contribute to portfolio value creation, such as labor cost controls, AI analytics, and productivity metrics.
What We Found
UKG leverages AI to provide 'people-first' insights that control volatile labor costs and improve productivity, which Blackstone cites as a key lever for driving investment value.
Score Rationale
The platform excels at connecting workforce management data to financial outcomes (EBITDA), a critical requirement for PE, though realizing these gains requires effective implementation.
Supporting Evidence
UKG's solution is designed to control volatile labor costs, which make up a huge percentage of cost structures. That workforce is a huge percentage of the cost structure for many businesses, typically a volatile cost, and it's very controllable.
— privateequityinternational.com
The platform uses AI to analyze real-time data for actionable insights, such as suggesting shifts to balance workloads. AI can also move the needle in much more meaningful ways, like delivering actionable insights through suggesting appropriate shifts and helping managers balance workloads.
— privateequityinternational.com
Blackstone states that UKG's solutions bring improvements in productivity and performance that are key levers for driving EBITDA. Delivering operational savings while simultaneously improving service and increasing revenues are key levers for driving EBITDA and investment value
— ukg.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Implementation fees are high, estimated at 40-70% of annual software fees, and the process is described as complex and resource-intensive.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Users frequently complain about the user interface being non-intuitive, requiring 'too many clicks,' and the mobile app being prone to glitches and connectivity issues.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Numerous users report significant degradation in support quality following the merger, citing long wait times, unresolved tickets, and a lack of knowledgeable representatives.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
The 'How We Choose' section for shift scheduling and workforce management solutions for private equity firms focuses on key factors including product specifications, essential features, customer reviews, ratings, and overall value. Important considerations for this category include integration capabilities with existing financial systems, scalability for varying workforce sizes, and compliance with labor regulations. The research methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of available data, comparing specifications across products, evaluating customer feedback and ratings from multiple sources, and assessing the price-to-value ratio to determine the most effective solutions for private equity firms.
Overall scores reflect relative ranking within this category, accounting for which limitations materially affect real-world use cases. Small differences in category scores can result in larger ranking separation when those differences affect the most common or highest-impact workflows.
Verification
Products evaluated through comprehensive research and analysis of workforce management solutions tailored for private equity firms.
Rankings based on a thorough analysis of user ratings, expert reviews, and industry specifications.
Selection criteria focus on essential features such as scalability, integration capabilities, and user support specific to shift scheduling in private equity settings.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners.
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Score Breakdown
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