Ascentis (discontinued) vs Saba Cloud

What users are saying about

Score 7.8 out of 10

Based on 323 reviews and ratings

Score 8.9 out of 10

Based on 80 reviews and ratings

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Feature Set Ratings

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 5 feature sets: Onboarding, Performance and Goals, Performance Management, Succession Planning, Recruiting / ATS

Human Resource Management

7.5

Ascentis (discontinued)

75%

Saba Cloud

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

Ascentis (discontinued) ranks higher in 7/7 features

Employee demographic data

7.6

76%

137 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Employment history

7.8

78%

140 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Job profiles and administration

7.6

76%

128 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.

7.4

74%

126 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Organizational charting

6.3

63%

90 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Organization and location management

7.9

79%

109 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)

7.8

78%

102 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Payroll Management

8.3

Ascentis (discontinued)

83%

Saba Cloud

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

Ascentis (discontinued) ranks higher in 7/7 features

Pay calculation

8.3

83%

115 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Support for external payroll vendors

7.2

72%

62 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Off-cycle/On-Demand payment

8.2

82%

28 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Benefit plan administration

7.7

77%

108 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Direct deposit files

9.2

92%

100 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Salary revision and increment management

8.5

85%

92 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Reimbursement management

8.8

88%

51 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Leave and Attendance Management

8.1

Ascentis (discontinued)

81%

Saba Cloud

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

Ascentis (discontinued) ranks higher in 3/3 features

Approval workflow

8.5

85%

99 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Balance details

7.8

78%

99 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Annual carry-forward and encashment

8.0

80%

84 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Employee Self Service

7.9

Ascentis (discontinued)

79%

Saba Cloud

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

Ascentis (discontinued) ranks higher in 5/5 features

View and generate pay and benefit information

8.2

82%

138 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Update personal information

8.8

88%

151 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

View company policy documentation

6.9

69%

110 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Employee recognition

7.1

71%

61 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

View job history

8.5

85%

108 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Asset Management

6.0

Ascentis (discontinued)

60%

Saba Cloud

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

Ascentis (discontinued) ranks higher in 1/1 features

Tracking of all physical assets

6.0

60%

33 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

HR Reporting

6.6

Ascentis (discontinued)

66%

Saba Cloud

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

Ascentis (discontinued) ranks higher in 3/3 features

Report builder

6.5

65%

144 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Pre-built reports

7.3

73%

142 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Ability to combine HR data with external data

6.0

60%

73 Ratings

N/A

0 Ratings

Onboarding

6.3

Ascentis (discontinued)

63%

8.2

Saba Cloud

82%

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 3/3 features

New hire portal

6.5

65%

98 Ratings

6.9

69%

11 Ratings

Manager tracking tools

6.1

61%

76 Ratings

9.4

94%

18 Ratings

Compliance tracking and reporting

N/A

0 Ratings

8.2

82%

22 Ratings

Performance and Goals

7.0

Ascentis (discontinued)

70%

9.8

Saba Cloud

98%

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 5/5 features

Corporate goal setting

6.5

65%

43 Ratings

9.9

99%

23 Ratings

Individual goal setting

7.5

75%

53 Ratings

9.9

99%

24 Ratings

Line-of sight-visibility

7.1

71%

38 Ratings

9.4

94%

24 Ratings

Performance tracking

7.0

70%

50 Ratings

9.9

99%

23 Ratings

Subordinate goal setting

N/A

0 Ratings

9.9

99%

23 Ratings

Performance Management

6.4

Ascentis (discontinued)

64%

8.4

Saba Cloud

84%

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 10/10 features

Performance plans

6.2

62%

59 Ratings

9.4

94%

20 Ratings

Performance improvement plans

6.3

63%

50 Ratings

8.9

89%

17 Ratings

Review status tracking

6.7

67%

57 Ratings

9.8

98%

18 Ratings

Review reminders

7.0

70%

55 Ratings

9.9

99%

17 Ratings

Multiple review frequency

5.9

59%

50 Ratings

7.8

78%

14 Ratings

Plan weighting

N/A

0 Ratings

7.5

75%

13 Ratings

Manager note taking

N/A

0 Ratings

6.8

68%

14 Ratings

Rater nomination workflow

N/A

0 Ratings

8.1

81%

14 Ratings

Workflow restrictions

N/A

0 Ratings

6.6

66%

13 Ratings

Reporting

N/A

0 Ratings

9.4

94%

25 Ratings

Succession Planning

6.0

Ascentis (discontinued)

60%

8.5

Saba Cloud

85%

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 4/4 features

Create succession plans/pools

6.4

64%

21 Ratings

9.9

99%

12 Ratings

Candidate ranking

6.4

64%

21 Ratings

7.8

78%

11 Ratings

Candidate search

5.3

53%

27 Ratings

8.4

84%

11 Ratings

Candidate development

6.0

60%

23 Ratings

7.7

77%

12 Ratings

Recruiting / ATS

6.4

Ascentis (discontinued)

64%

8.9

Saba Cloud

89%

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 14/14 features

Job Requisition Management

6.7

67%

85 Ratings

8.6

86%

5 Ratings

Company Website Posting

6.5

65%

79 Ratings

8.6

86%

5 Ratings

Publish to Social Media

6.5

65%

59 Ratings

9.1

91%

4 Ratings

Job Search Site Posting

6.5

65%

71 Ratings

8.2

82%

4 Ratings

Duplicate Candidate Prevention

6.5

65%

57 Ratings

9.0

90%

5 Ratings

Applicant Tracking

6.4

64%

83 Ratings

9.5

95%

5 Ratings

Notifications and Alerts

5.6

56%

69 Ratings

9.0

90%

7 Ratings

Customized Application Form

N/A

0 Ratings

8.6

86%

4 Ratings

Resume Management

N/A

0 Ratings

8.1

81%

4 Ratings

Candidate Search

N/A

0 Ratings

9.1

91%

5 Ratings

Collaboration

N/A

0 Ratings

9.0

90%

5 Ratings

Email Templates

N/A

0 Ratings

9.5

95%

6 Ratings

User Permissions

N/A

0 Ratings

9.0

90%

5 Ratings

Reporting

N/A

0 Ratings

9.5

95%

8 Ratings

Learning Management

Ascentis (discontinued)

Feature Set Not Supported

N/A

9.2

Saba Cloud

92%

Saba Cloud ranks higher in 11/11 features

Course authoring

N/A

0 Ratings

7.0

70%

21 Ratings

Course catalog or library

N/A

0 Ratings

9.3

93%

28 Ratings

Player/Portal

N/A

0 Ratings

9.4

94%

25 Ratings

Learning content

N/A

0 Ratings

9.8

98%

27 Ratings

Mobile friendly

N/A

0 Ratings

9.8

98%

22 Ratings

Progress tracking & certifications

N/A

0 Ratings

9.4

94%

27 Ratings

Assignments

N/A

0 Ratings

8.0

80%

26 Ratings

Compliance management

N/A

0 Ratings

9.4

94%

28 Ratings

Learning administration

N/A

0 Ratings

9.4

94%

27 Ratings

Learning reporting & analytics

N/A

0 Ratings

9.4

94%

27 Ratings

Social learning

N/A

0 Ratings

9.8

98%

19 Ratings

Attribute Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued) is rated higher in 2 areas: Likelihood to Renew, Implementation Rating
Saba Cloud is rated higher in 3 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Usability, Support Rating

Ascentis (discontinued)

76%

164 Ratings

9.5

Saba Cloud

95%

47 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

63%

12 Ratings

4.5

Saba Cloud

45%

5 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

75%

44 Ratings

7.8

Saba Cloud

78%

11 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

65%

7 Ratings

Saba Cloud

N/A

0 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

69%

5 Ratings

Saba Cloud

N/A

0 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

81%

252 Ratings

8.5

Saba Cloud

85%

24 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

80%

1 Rating

Saba Cloud

N/A

0 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

82%

4 Ratings

Saba Cloud

N/A

0 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

82%

8 Ratings

4.5

Saba Cloud

45%

3 Ratings

Ascentis (discontinued)

64%

4 Ratings

Saba Cloud

N/A

0 Ratings

Pros

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!

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Verified User

Director in Human Resources

Hospital & Health Care Company, 1001-5000 employees

View all 164 answers on this topic

Skills Management - Saba has allowed us to set specific expectations for employees based upon their role, and this has clarified the skill requirements for employees.
Goal Management - With Saba, managers can easily create goals aligned up to senior leadership, and then work with their direct reports to create supporting goals.
Learning Management - Using Saba's built-in Smart Lists, assigning compliance training is a simple process that used to be a challenge in our former LMS.

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Paul Ellison

Sr. Organizational Development Consultant

Lake Michigan Credit UnionBanking, 1001-5000 employees

View all 47 answers on this topic

Cons

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.

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Verified User

Director in Human Resources

Civil Engineering Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 164 answers on this topic

Saba continues to improve their reporting and analytics. While it is much improved over previous versions, it can be improved.
Release Notes for system updates need to be delivered to admins farther in advance of the update in order to prepare properly.

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Chris Salles

Director of eLearning

Guitar CenterRetail, 10,001+ employees

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Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

Starting Price

—

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

Starting Price

—

Likelihood to Renew

Ascentis (discontinued) 6.3

Based on 12 answers

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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Kelly C. Neill, SPHR

Human Resources Manager

San Juan Construction, Inc.Construction, 201-500 employees

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Saba Cloud 4.5

Based on 5 answers

Typically customers that acquire a Saba solution rarely move away. There are reasons and "legends" behind this. The investment is significant. Time and money are required to make the engine go smoothly. But once it runs at full capacity, it doesn't stop! Professional Services are extremely competent and able to close implementation gaps quickly.

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Stefano Tempesta

Solutions Architect

NintexComputer Software, 201-500 employees

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Usability

Ascentis (discontinued) 7.5

Based on 44 answers

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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Verified User

Director in Human Resources

Building Materials Company, 51-200 employees

View all 44 answers on this topic

Saba Cloud 7.8

Based on 11 answers

As someone who creates classes and is also a learning administrator in the system, I have run into some issues with the system's capabilities for my needs. I am not a fan of having to use Adobe Captivate to download a PowerPoint presentation into the system, as my training sessions are much more than a glorified PowerPoint. Our organization has yet to turn on Saba Meetings, which may help with these limitations.

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Ashley Gibson

Learning and Development Specialist

Washington University in St. LouisHigher Education, 10,001+ employees

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Reliability and Availability

Ascentis (discontinued) 6.5

Based on 7 answers

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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Verified User

Employee in Human Resources

Government Administration Company, 51-200 employees

View all 7 answers on this topic

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Performance

Ascentis (discontinued) 6.9

Based on 5 answers

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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Verified User

Employee in Human Resources

Government Administration Company, 51-200 employees

View all 5 answers on this topic

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Support Rating

Ascentis (discontinued) 8.1

Based on 252 answers

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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Verified User

Strategist in Marketing

Oil & Energy Company, 201-500 employees

View all 252 answers on this topic

Saba Cloud 8.5

Based on 24 answers

For the times that we have used the support provided by Saba, it has been a very pleasurable experience for our department. Part of our package with Saba includes a specified number of hours of "training" time with Saba. During these meetings, we have shared our desires of the product and the support personnel have either shown us how to accomplish our task or they have taken our requests to their developers to look at future enhancements. Overall, very pleased with the support.

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Bruce Boyd

Learning and Development Strategist

Brundage Management CompanyFinancial Services, 1001-5000 employees

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In-Person Training

Ascentis (discontinued) 8.0

Based on 1 answer

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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Jennifer Steffens

IT & Marketing Coordinator

Howry Residential ServicesMental Health Care, 201-500 employees

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No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Online Training

Ascentis (discontinued) 8.2

Based on 4 answers

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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Jennifer Steffens

IT & Marketing Coordinator

Howry Residential ServicesMental Health Care, 201-500 employees

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No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Implementation Rating

Ascentis (discontinued) 8.2

Based on 8 answers

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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Mary Meadows

Human Resources Manager

MultiLingual Solutions, Inc.Government Administration, 201-500 employees

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Saba Cloud 4.5

Based on 3 answers

Was not involved with integration.

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Vinnie Samaan

E-Learning Coordinator

Little Caesars Inc.Food & Beverages, 10,001+ employees

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Alternatives Considered

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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Verified User

Manager in Human Resources

Logistics & Supply Chain Company, 201-500 employees

View all 164 answers on this topic

We had extensive reviews with a plan of what we needed and must have out of the system, including custom learning paths and tracking inside our HRIS system to grant permissions and positions based on completed learning certifications and courses. We weighed each option and chose based on the one that met the most of the must-haves.

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Verified User

Administrator in Corporate

Retail Company, 10,001+ employees

View all 47 answers on this topic

Scalability

Ascentis (discontinued) 6.4

Based on 4 answers

Large acquisition would be very complicated, seems more appropriate for companies under 100

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Christina Miyamoto, PHR®

Human Resources Manager

N/AEntertainment, 51-200 employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Return on Investment

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.

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Verified User

Employee in Human Resources

Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering Company, 201-500 employees

View all 164 answers on this topic

This may seem small but with 90% of our workforce not at our main facility just the fact that since July 1, 2021, we have had over 18,956 compliance-related training completed by our staff. Do the math the ROI is wonderful.

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Joe Geppert

LMS Administrator / Trainer

Barber National InstituteNon-profit Organization Management, 1001-5000 employees