The UKG Ownership ExpertsTired of feeling like you’re just using your UKG system without truly owning it? Ascend is here to change that. More than just an implementation partner, Ascend is a strategic ally committed to helping clients maximize their investment in UKG Pro, UKG WFM, and UKG Ready.Formed from the merger of HRMS Solutions and ATS Management Consulting, Ascend brings together a powerful combination of award-winning expertise and a proven history of success. With over 120 certified UKG specialists, they provide a full suite of implementation services tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. From initial implementation to ongoing optimization and system improvements, Ascend supports customers at every stage of their UKG journey.Why Choose Ascend? Deep UKG Expertise – Our consultants have the experience and knowledge to guide you through every phase of your UKG journey. Personalized Service – We take the time to understand your specific goals and tailor our approach to meet them. Proven Results – Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve helped countless Enterprise, Midmarket, and SMB organizations across the United States, Canada, and worldwide unlock the full potential of their UKG investments.Ready to Take Full Ownership of Your UKG System?Contact Ascend today.Now one of the largest premier exclusive UKG partners in North America, Ascend was established in June 2024 through the exciting merger of HRMS Solutions and ATS Management Consulting. This unification makes Ascend the go-to expert for all UKG Pro Suite and UKG Ready implementation services.Ascend provides comprehensive services across the entire UKG platform, serving Enterprise, Midmarket, and SMB organizations. With a focus on personalized service and a deep understanding of UKG’s capabilities, Ascend empowers businesses to fully leverage their UKG investment. Their talented team is dedicated to delivering exceptional value and ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience for every UKG customer.

The recent merger between ATS Management Consulting and HRMS Solutions, forming Ascend, Inc., is a prime example of how two companies with a shared vision can join forces to enhance their service offerings and better meet the needs of their customers. 

This strategic merger brings together over 130 certified consultants and 300 active projects, promising to provide a seamless, comprehensive service for UKG users.

Bonnie Tinder, Founder and CEO of Raven Intelligence, had the opportunity to sit down with Mike Maiorino, President & COO, and Lou Sylaj, CEO of Ascend, Inc., during their first UKG Aspire event as a team.

Here’s a recap of their conversation.

A Strong Foundation of Trust and Shared Values

The journey towards Ascend, Inc. began over a year ago when Lou Sylaj, former Founder & CEO of ATS Management Consulting, met Mike Maiorino, former Founder & CEO of HRMS Solutions. 

Lou was impressed by what Mike’s team was achieving at HRMS Solutions and saw potential for greater success if they joined forces. While ATS Management Consulting had built a strong reputation among large enterprise clients and had expanded significantly in Canada, HRMS Solutions had carved out its niche in the mid-market sector, offering post-live managed services. It was clear that there was considerable overlap in both companies’ customer bases, employees, and goals, making a merger a logical next step.

For Mike, the merger was not only about expanding the business but also about aligning the cultures of the two organizations. Both ATS and HRMS had very low attrition rates, a testament to their people-first values. The merger allowed the two companies to blend their resources, talent, and expertise, creating a powerful team equipped to tackle the complexities of UKG’s applications. As Lou explained, the combined depth in talent and resources positioned Ascend to better serve both mid-market and enterprise clients. This expanded service portfolio ensured that clients of all sizes receive the support they need to optimize their UKG solutions.

A Singular Focus on UKG

A key factor in Ascend’s success is its singular focus on UKG solutions. Mike’s experience with Ultimate Software in 2016 helped him recognize the value of specialization. By dedicating themselves entirely to UKG, Ascend can offer clarity in both strategy and execution, ensuring that clients understand the direction the company is taking and how it aligns with their needs.

As Mike puts it, “We are all in.” This commitment to UKG is central to Ascend’s mission moving forward, and it reflects their dedication to becoming trusted advisers for UKG customers. With this “all in” approach, Ascend provides a clear strategy that helps clients feel confident in their decisions and supported throughout the entire process.

Building a Premium Brand for UKG Users

At the heart of Ascend’s success is its commitment to delivering exceptional value to UKG customers. From the outset, the company has focused on fostering strong, long-term relationships with clients, extending far beyond the initial UKG solution implementation. Whether clients are adopting HCM, WFM, or other HR modules, Ascend’s dedicated team ensures they fully leverage every module available, supporting them throughout the entire journey. The name “Ascend” reflects this philosophy—symbolizing the company’s commitment to rising together with clients, offering a personalized, end-to-end experience.

How Ascend Ensures Top-Tier Service

Ascend has earned impressive customer feedback on Raven Intelligence, with 131 reviews and 96% of clients indicating they would rehire the company. 

But what’s behind this consistent success, and how does Ascend continue to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction? The answer lies in the company’s dedicated approach to hiring top talent, fostering a positive company culture, and delivering unparalleled support throughout the entire lifecycle of the UKG customer journey.

Mike and Lou believe that the quality of their service is directly tied to the quality of their employees. As Mike explains, “When employees feel valued, they go above and beyond, and those extra efforts make a difference in what customers appreciate.” By prioritizing employee satisfaction, Ascend ensures that their team members are well-equipped to handle complex projects and deliver exceptional results.

A Key Element of Ascend’s Success

Customer satisfaction is deeply intertwined with recognition at Ascend, both for employees and clients. With tools like Raven Intelligence, Ascend gains valuable insights into customer experiences, which enables the company to continuously improve its services. The transparency provided by these reviews allows Ascend to respond to customer needs quickly and effectively, ensuring that they are always on top of potential issues and can adjust strategies accordingly.

Positive customer feedback often highlights individual team members, reinforcing Ascend’s culture of excellence. Recognizing employees who go above and beyond is a powerful tool in maintaining high standards. As Mike notes, “Highlighting the fact that somebody did an amazing job makes a big impact.”

This culture of recognition not only boosts employee morale but also strengthens the connection between employees and the company’s values. When team members see that their efforts are appreciated and that their work directly impacts the success of the client, they are motivated to continue delivering exceptional service. This is rooted in a desire to make every employee feel part of something larger than just a job—a premium brand that values both its employees and customers.

Ascend’s Advice for Choosing a UKG Implementation Partner

Mike and Lou offer invaluable advice based on their experience working closely with clients, building long-term relationships, and delivering successful outcomes. 

These are their key strategies for prospective customers in the partner selection process:

1. Engage Early and Build Relationships

One of the most important pieces of advice is to get your partner involved early in the decision-making process. As Lou and Mike emphasize, Ascend’s success often stems from their early involvement with the customer, especially during the sales phase. By engaging early, partners can answer questions, help shape the solution, and start building a relationship even before the selection is made. This early interaction allows for a more personalized experience throughout the implementation process.

2. Look for Experience and Longevity

A good partner will have a long history of customer relationships and a proven track record of success. Ascend, for example, has maintained strong relationships with customers for over a decade, which gives them a wealth of experience to draw from when answering questions or offering guidance. Prospective clients should look for partners who not only have technical expertise but also a deep understanding of customer needs and experiences. This insight can help ensure that the partner truly understands the customer’s goals and challenges.

3. Prioritize Personalized Service

For Ascend, tailoring the experience to each customer is a cornerstone of their approach. A good partner will take the time to understand the unique needs of your organization, ensuring that the implementation is aligned with your specific objectives. This approach fosters a sense of partnership, as customers feel like they are being treated as individuals and not just as another project.

4. Collaborate with Sales Teams for Success

Ascend’s focus on working hand-in-hand with sales teams is another key element of their successful approach. When customers and potential partners collaborate during the sales process, it creates a smoother transition from selection to implementation. This collaboration helps customers feel confident that their partner has already invested in understanding their business and needs. For Ascend, this collaboration has led to clients who feel like they have been working with their partner long before the official project begins.

5. Look for Hands-On Leadership and Commitment

Another crucial factor is leadership involvement. Ascend’s founders, Lou and Mike, play an active role in the business and are deeply committed to customer success. Customers often appreciate when leadership is accessible and actively involved in the process. This hands-on approach ensures that the partner’s leadership is fully invested in the success of the client, which can make a significant difference in the overall experience.

6. Ensure Comprehensive Support and Long-Term Relationship

UKG implementations are just the beginning of the journey. Ascend understands that providing value post-implementation is just as important as the implementation itself. Prospective customers should seek a partner who offers ongoing support, ensuring that they continue to maximize the value of their UKG system long after the initial rollout. Look for a partner who is dedicated to walking with you through the entire customer journey, offering both strategic guidance and technical expertise as your needs evolve.

Ascend’s Company Culture

At Ascend, consultants aren’t just employees—they are integral to the company’s success and are given opportunities to shape their own career paths.

With a reputation built on doing things the right way, Ascend attracts top talent, many of whom join through referrals from current team members who appreciate the company’s positive work environment, leadership, and commitment to fairness. This strong foundation not only helps consultants feel confident about joining a successful team, but it also fosters high levels of satisfaction among both employees and customers. 

With a team-oriented culture and a focus on career growth, consultants can thrive while enjoying the clarity, direction, and resources they need to succeed.

Ascend’s Vision for 2025 and Beyond

As Ascend heads into 2025, they have big aspirations to continue growing and delivering exceptional value to their clients. Their focus on creating a premium brand, providing comprehensive services, and offering personalized support sets the stage for continued success.

With a commitment to expanding their team and strengthening relationships with both customers and employees, Ascend aims to be the go-to partner for UKG clients. Their leadership, including regular engagement with staff and clients, will continue to drive the company’s growth and reputation in the marketplace. Whether through in-person gatherings or virtual collaboration, Ascend’s dedication to both clients and employees is clear.

By combining top-tier talent, a strong company culture, and a commitment to long-term client success, Ascend is setting the standard for what it means to be a premium brand in the UKG ecosystem.

About Ascend

With more than 120 certified UKG specialists and a proven history of achievements, Ascend provides a wide array of implementation services customized to meet the specific requirements of their customers. From implementation to ongoing optimization and system improvements, Ascend is a trusted and reliable partner every step of the way throughout the entire UKG implementation journey.

Learn more about Ascend Inc. on their Raven profile.

Ascend, Inc.’s Service Delivery Metrics

About Raven Intelligence

Raven Intelligence is a free, online community to help Enterprise Software customers independently find their perfect Consulting partner.  Raven consolidates the options in a single place–across all major cloud software platforms. It helps customers who are in a software selection process search and engage the best partners. It gives Consultants a place to promote their certifications and cloud project success and find customers looking for what they do best.  While we work closely with software vendors, we have no affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement from them.