ADP SmartCompliance vs. Ascentis (discontinued)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ADP SmartCompliance
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
ADP SmartCompliance is a tax and regulatory compliance platform for midsize or larger companies using an ERP or non-ADP platform for HR and HRMS services.N/A
Ascentis (discontinued)
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
Ascentis HR uses web-based management programs to help automate complex HR processes. Ascentis’ other services included customizable payroll, time and attendance and recruiting modules. Ascentis was acquired by UKG in March of 2022, and will be discontinued.N/A
Pricing
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPricing varies based upon modules deployed and features enabled.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Considered Both Products
ADP SmartCompliance

No answer on this topic

Ascentis (discontinued)
Chose Ascentis (discontinued)
Ascentis beats them all. I've also worked with several smaller systems for small companies, and Ascentis has the best support and reporting functionality that I've seen thus far. Any system you pick will have its pros and cons, but being able to get a hold of support and get …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Type of tax
Comparison of Type of tax features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
8.9
9 Ratings
5% above category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
-
Ratings
Sales and Use Taxes9.53 Ratings00 Ratings
Cross-border Taxes8.07 Ratings00 Ratings
VAT / GST Taxes9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
Energy and Fuel Taxes9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Reporting & Compliance
Comparison of Tax Reporting & Compliance features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
7.7
40 Ratings
8% below category average
Ascentis (discontinued)
-
Ratings
Geolocation for Tax Assessment7.111 Ratings00 Ratings
3rd-Party Software Integrations8.121 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Data Reporting8.039 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance Administration Management7.432 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Exemption Processing7.915 Ratings00 Ratings
Tax Document Management7.432 Ratings00 Ratings
Complex Tax Scenario Management8.124 Ratings00 Ratings
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.1
150 Ratings
10% below category average
Employee demographic data00 Ratings6.8137 Ratings
Employment history00 Ratings7.3140 Ratings
Job profiles and administration00 Ratings6.9128 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.00 Ratings6.7126 Ratings
Organizational charting00 Ratings5.290 Ratings
Organization and location management00 Ratings8.0109 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings8.8102 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.8
125 Ratings
3% below category average
Pay calculation00 Ratings7.1115 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors00 Ratings6.162 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment00 Ratings8.328 Ratings
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings6.7108 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings9.2100 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings8.692 Ratings
Reimbursement management00 Ratings8.851 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.8
105 Ratings
3% below category average
Approval workflow00 Ratings8.099 Ratings
Balance details00 Ratings7.099 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment00 Ratings8.484 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.0
153 Ratings
15% below category average
View and generate pay and benefit information00 Ratings7.8138 Ratings
Update personal information00 Ratings8.6151 Ratings
View company policy documentation00 Ratings5.4110 Ratings
Employee recognition00 Ratings6.061 Ratings
View job history00 Ratings7.3108 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.8
33 Ratings
29% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets00 Ratings5.833 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
6.4
147 Ratings
17% below category average
Report builder00 Ratings7.0144 Ratings
Pre-built reports00 Ratings7.5142 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data00 Ratings4.673 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.1
98 Ratings
44% below category average
New hire portal00 Ratings5.398 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings4.976 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
7.2
57 Ratings
12% below category average
Corporate goal setting00 Ratings6.743 Ratings
Individual goal setting00 Ratings7.653 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility00 Ratings7.138 Ratings
Performance tracking00 Ratings7.250 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
6.0
63 Ratings
28% below category average
Performance plans00 Ratings5.659 Ratings
Performance improvement plans00 Ratings5.650 Ratings
Review status tracking00 Ratings5.857 Ratings
Review reminders00 Ratings6.555 Ratings
Multiple review frequency00 Ratings6.650 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.9
27 Ratings
29% below category average
Create succession plans/pools00 Ratings6.421 Ratings
Candidate ranking00 Ratings6.421 Ratings
Candidate search00 Ratings5.027 Ratings
Candidate development00 Ratings5.823 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
ADP SmartCompliance
-
Ratings
Ascentis (discontinued)
5.5
89 Ratings
34% below category average
Job Requisition Management00 Ratings5.585 Ratings
Company Website Posting00 Ratings5.279 Ratings
Publish to Social Media00 Ratings5.759 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting00 Ratings5.871 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention00 Ratings5.657 Ratings
Applicant Tracking00 Ratings5.783 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts00 Ratings5.369 Ratings
Best Alternatives
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Small Businesses
Canopy
Canopy
Score 9.5 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
LOVAT
LOVAT
Score 10.0 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Vertex
Vertex
Score 8.6 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(134 ratings)
7.2
(164 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.9
(29 ratings)
6.3
(12 ratings)
Usability
7.8
(37 ratings)
7.6
(44 ratings)
Availability
8.9
(12 ratings)
6.7
(5 ratings)
Performance
8.5
(12 ratings)
7.1
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
5.6
(37 ratings)
8.2
(150 ratings)
In-Person Training
4.6
(4 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
8.3
(9 ratings)
8.3
(4 ratings)
Implementation Rating
4.9
(22 ratings)
8.3
(5 ratings)
Configurability
7.8
(10 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
7.0
(9 ratings)
3.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.7
(11 ratings)
6.7
(4 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
5.6
(9 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
6.5
(8 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
ADP SmartComplianceAscentis (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
ADP
There has been much end user improvement on this site over the 3 years that I have been using it. I really appreciate the focus and attention ADP has place on making this a user friendly site so that their customers can better navigate their payroll tax issues. I look forward to the additional features that will be added in another three years time. I really am able to be quite efficient within my role because of the ease of use of this site.
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Discontinued Products
In working with Ascentis in payroll, the program makes my job so much easier. I am new to this position and the learning process has been so much easier with this product than those in the past. I appreciate the patience I am given when I call in for assistance as well.
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Pros
ADP
  • It helps us identify our employees who entered their account information incorrectly and get the payment reissued to them as quickly as possible.
  • It helps us quickly and securely issue payment to employees who terminate.
  • We efficiently get our garnishments processed to remain compliant.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Easy to use software. I have had several new HR employees comment on how easy the system is to learn!
  • Problem Solving- Ascentis is always problem solving! When we were in the process of selecting a new payroll company, we needed unemployment claims management assistance for our locations, something Ascentis did not currently offer. The sales rep went out of his way to find a unemployment claims management company that would work with Ascentis and us. That company has helped us keep an 80% win rate for our claims!
  • User conference- Engage is an awesome way to learn more about the products Ascentis has available as well and meet up with the staff you work with every day!
Read full review
Cons
ADP
  • ADP should have their SC employees better trained to give consistent answers about how to handle certain tax issues relating to the states. I seem to get a different answer multiple times.
  • It's difficult to distinguish between which cases/letters goes through ADP Workforce Now Service Connect and which cases go through SmartCompliance. I have been told differently on many occasions and will find a case in both places.
  • While many of the agency notices of tax rate changes, etc. are a very quick process and ADP "resolves" the case, I find other notices get lost in the shuffle when it doesn't fit exactly into the rate change bucket or the past due bill that says "Just Pay It". Some letters aren't that straightforward.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Updating the system so it is one platform and not two.
  • Create changes to the benefit enrollment process and upgrade the system so hire dates do not need to be changed to trigger benefits for status changes.
  • Focus updates on HR Admin, mobile application, ATS and transitioning to one platform. Larger areas of focus have been on the payroll portion of the system with a few updates to other areas.
  • When something is broken, quicker turn time on fixing the issue.
  • System needs updates to support AAP reporting.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
ADP
There is no other option on the table for us at the moment to go with a different vendor. We also have had very little issues processing with ADP that would make us want to look for a new vendor.
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Discontinued Products
This rating would be a 10 if it were not for some issues we have been having recently with the benefit carrier connections. The carrier connections are critical for us so how these issues are resolved will be key in our renewal decision.
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Usability
ADP
For the most part, one can get in and learn how to navigate the system by just clicking on one of the suject areas. If you have a good clientrepresentative, they will inform you of new features/functionality and give you a quick demo. This is helpful for one to go back in and navigate to learn how it works and usefulness.
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Discontinued Products
I'd give it a 7.5. If the modules were easier to access and not so buried (or placed in left field to find), I would give it a higher rating. As I said, as the potential to be great if ACCESS to other modules was easier.
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Reliability and Availability
ADP
We have never experienced unavailability with ADP. They communicate promptly when there is a holiday or if the system is down for maintenance. The maintenance schedule is during times when it is least used
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Discontinued Products
They normally give you notice when an update will affect the use of the system. Otherwise, when we have an error , we send a message to the support team. Sometimes someone will get right back with you and sometimes it takes a while.
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Performance
ADP
If ADP is having issues, they communicate the problem within the solution once you log in. They also communicate that the issue will be fixed promptly. Reports run efficiently and in a reasonable amount of time. Also, the reports allow for various reporting types to be produced like a PDF or a Microsoft Excel file.
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Discontinued Products
Yes, this pages do load pretty good but there are times when things are slow and I believe that's because they are sometimes trying to do updates.
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Support Rating
ADP
As mentioned in the last comment, everyone and everything has been great. However sometimes you get one person that I feel can bring a score down and the current dedicated tax representative I have I do not feel is very supportive.
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Discontinued Products
Support is attentive and quick to answer the call and get the answer for you. If they for any reason cannot answer right then, they are back to you within a day and always seem to have a sense of urgency. You truly get the impression that they are aiming to make you happy.
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In-Person Training
ADP
I haven't participated in in-person training yet.
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Discontinued Products
First, to clarify our "in-person" training was done mainly through Web-X meetings and conference calls. It was the closest thing we got to as far as an "in-person" training for this software. However, for the large majority of it, this type of training worked out well. We were able to share our screens and the trainer was able to share his/her screen. We could follow along with what we were doing in our database in real time and see how different functions worked and how manipulating our information could produce different results. It was also nice in that it provided for real-time results if something hadn't been coded correctly or we were having issues as to why something wasn't working the way we thought it should be. However, it did have some downsides in that we often had to rely on a conference phone and that made it difficult to hear people on both sides. Also, sometimes the trainers had internet difficulties when working from home and that caused issues with the WebX meetings.
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Online Training
ADP
They have annual training for Smart Compliance, which is very helpful. We learn the most up to laws for various subject matters, like garnishments, payroll law, child support, state unemployment laws by states. We also earn credit toward certifications. The training is user friendly, and highly recommended. It can be done live or listened to at your own convenience.
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Discontinued Products
Ascentis HR has a number of online training videos to watch on a number of different topics. I gave it a lower rating because there is not much interactivity with the videos and it seems to cater to really only one or two learning styles. Plus, one has to be pretty motivated to go to a separate area to access the videos and then pull up a specific one to watch it and then learn. From my experience, people know that they are there, many just don't take the time and effort to go find them and actually watch them - especially since the username and password are different from their normal username and password.
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Implementation Rating
ADP
Currently all electronic copies of our returns have to be downloaded one at a time. There should be a way to download all returns for a quarter in a zip file or single download.
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Discontinued Products
It was very easy to implement, but the customization pieces should really be fleshed out in order to determine the full need of an organization at the time of implementation. I believe if a little more time was spent on the requirements, the recruiting module would not have to be customized again at a cost at a later date.
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Alternatives Considered
ADP
ADP SmartCompliance was easily integrated with WFN and all of our employee data was in one place. We saw this as an advantage instead of having to log into multiple platforms, everything was quickly accessible to respond to a VOE or claim.
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Discontinued Products
Ascentis has far better customer service and the implementation experience was also better. The ability to do a lot of customization is also easier with Ascentis as it's smaller organization. The payroll has positive and negatives compared to ADP but the accuracy is the same in both. Ascentis just started their community site which doesn't have a lot of traffic but hopefully can become more like ADP's community site, which was extremely helpful to me as an administrator.
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Scalability
ADP
ADP has the ability to scale across departments. This was found to be true when we rolled out the wage payment solution. ADP users are able to view their pay stubs on their phones and/or computers. This wage payment portal offers W2 storage and paystub storage for access at any time by an employee.
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Discontinued Products
Large acquisition would be very complicated, seems more appropriate for companies under 100
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Return on Investment
ADP
  • The customer service phone service for the ADP Wisely service is very bad. No understanding or a language barrier is a very difficult service to deal with. Also working with them to correct a situation was impossible. It is basically non existent.
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Discontinued Products
  • HR DPT. is much more effective, as we can assess any employee information no matter where we are, etc. This helps to provide information immediately when requested!
  • Employees have access to Ascentis, and therefore to their timecard, open enrollment, etc., from anywhere at any time!
  • Time, PTO requests, employee goals, and evaluations can be approved from anywhere at any time!
  • Recruiting can be accessed any where at any time, and this helps with hiring, internal communication, etc.
Read full review
ScreenShots

Ascentis (discontinued) Screenshots

Screenshot of Access all of your details including, paychecks, personal file, timeclock, etc via our mobile app.Screenshot of Punch-in and punch-out on the go.Screenshot of Centralized location for everything related to a user or admin.Screenshot of Every employee has access to their personal information in one location.Screenshot of Pre-built reporting along with Ad Hoc reporting gives you the ability to understand your business as a whole.Screenshot of Benefit enrollment made easy for your employees.