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PDS Vista

PDS Vista

Overview

What is PDS Vista?

Vista® is a human resource, benefits, payroll, recruiting, and self-service software. Functional elements include recruitment, staffing, position and training management, compliance, and performance and compensation.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Vista HRMS is a versatile software that is used by organizations, including the Lee County Clerk of Courts and Lee County government, …
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VistaHRMS

4 out of 10
April 11, 2022
We are currently using it for are HRIS in our HR department. It is used for payroll as well. We have rolled out self-service to a few of …
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PDS VistaHRMS

9 out of 10
February 09, 2017
We use PDS VistaHRMS for our core HR, Benefits, Payroll and Recruiting functions. Our main users are in the Human Resources area but all …
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I love VISTA

10 out of 10
February 07, 2017
We selected Vista HRMS after a diligent evaluation process. We were looking for a flexible solution that could grow with us. Vista is …
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Happy with Vista HRMS

8 out of 10
April 15, 2015
Vista HRMS is being used across the whole organization. This is our HR/Payroll/Benefit/Absence Management solution for our company.
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Popular Features

View all 43 features
  • Employment history (18)
    9.0
    90%
  • Employee demographic data (17)
    9.0
    90%
  • Direct deposit files (17)
    8.2
    82%
  • Organization and location management (16)
    7.0
    70%
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Pricing

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N/A
Unavailable

What is PDS Vista?

Vista® is a human resource, benefits, payroll, recruiting, and self-service software. Functional elements include recruitment, staffing, position and training management, compliance, and performance and compensation.

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Would you like us to let the vendor know that you want pricing?

2 people also want pricing

Alternatives Pricing

What is SAP SuccessFactors?

SAP SuccessFactors is a suite of HR/HCM products covering these capability areas: core HR and payroll, recruiting and onboarding, learning and development, performance and compensation management, workforce analytics and planning, and employee experience management.

What is Paychex Flex?

Paychex Flex, of Paychex' Online Payroll Services, is a cloud-based human resource management and payroll platform. Paychex offers core and specialized services, and scales to meet the needs of small businesses, SMBs, and large enterprises.

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Features

Human Resource Management

Organizing, tracking and providing instant access to critical employee data, job profiles, transfers, promotions, and benefits information.

7.7
Avg 7.8

Payroll Management

Provides for pay calculation and benefit plan administration, in addition to managing direct deposit, salary revisions and payroll tracking.

8
Avg 8.0

Leave and Attendance Management

Streamlines communication between HR and employees and facilitates efficient management of employee leave including requisitions, approvals, balance calculation, and annual carry-forward.

8.2
Avg 8.1

Employee Self Service

Employee portal allowing employees to view and update their personal information.

7.1
Avg 8.1

Asset Management

Maintaining a record of assets such as laptops, pagers, cell phones, etc. issued to employees. Record typically includes asset type, number, serial number and date of issuance.

7.3
Avg 7.7

HR Reporting

Pre-built and custom reports, and integration with external data.

8
Avg 7.6

Onboarding

Employee onboarding is the process of orienting new hires to the social and performance aspects of their jobs so that they are able to function in their new roles as quickly as possible.

7.3
Avg 8.0

Performance and Goals

Goal alignment is the practice of ensuring that all employees have clearly defined goals in support of the overall corporate strategy.

5.8
Avg 8.1

Performance Management

Performance management is the process of ensuring employees meet pre-determined objectives and goals through regular check-ins and appraisals.

7.3
Avg 7.9

Succession Planning

Succession planning is the identification and development of internal employees with the potential to fill key business leadership positions in the company.

3.6
Avg 7.9

Recruiting / ATS

Recruiting or Applicant Tracking Software is software used to manage the recruitment process electronically by handling job postings, applicant status, resume management, etc.

2.5
Avg 7.7
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Product Details

What is PDS Vista?

According to the vendor, PDS Vista is a comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) platform designed to offer personalized solutions for diverse industry requirements. The product encompasses various services such as recruiting, onboarding, human resources, benefits administration, and payroll management, thus serving as an end-to-end solution. By leveraging advanced technology and customization options, PDS aims to tackle complex challenges faced by businesses in this domain. Notably, the vendor emphasizes their commitment to customer satisfaction through personalized support provided by knowledgeable experts. While specific industries or professions are not explicitly specified, the vendor assures that the product suite caters to a wide range of organizations seeking HCM solutions tailored to their distinct needs.

End-to-End Human Capital Management Suite

The product is designed to streamline and automate administrative and payroll tasks, as well as offer strategic decision-making capabilities. Key features include workflow management, tax handling, recruitment support, training management, compliance with OSHA and workers' compensation regulations, performance evaluation and compensation tracking, employee and managerial self-service options, analytics, comprehensive reporting capabilities, among others. The vendor highlights their personalized approach and industry expertise to deliver a tailored experience for each customer.

Vista Analytics

The product is designed to offer a comprehensive analytics solution that prioritizes user-centricity. The vendor asserts that users can replace traditional printed reports with visually appealing graphics, enhancing stakeholder accessibility and comprehension of information. Users are granted real-time access to data and the ability to customize their dashboards through easy drill-downs and data exports at the click of a button. With an extensive library of predefined analytics, Vista Analytics enables organizations to effortlessly collect statistical data, analyze trends, and showcase key performance indicators (KPIs). Furthermore, it provides training courses covering graph analysis, setup procedures, usage guidelines, KPI utilization, and dashboard deployment. This toolset ensures effortless compilation of summarized data into meaningful charts or columns based on specific groupings. Additionally, it offers diverse dashboards for effective result presentation, auditable views and alerts for meticulous data management, secure user-specific dashboards, as well as workflow reports tailored for ROI analysis.

Workflow

The Vista Workflow engine is seamlessly integrated throughout the Vista product, offering automation of approval processes. The vendor asserts that their workflow features were designed to address the management of approval processes, transaction monitoring, and activity rerouting. Users can utilize tools like manager and employee time review and approval, as well as customize approval steps to align with individual process workflows. Through implementing consistent practices and automating approvals, PDS Vista aims to optimize HR operations, improving productivity while reducing administrative burdens.

Automatic Scheduling and Calculation of Initial and Standard Measurements

The product offers automated scheduling and calculation capabilities, allowing businesses to streamline processes and ensure compliance with ACA regulations. This feature aims to save time by accurately determining initial and standard measurements for employee healthcare eligibility and stability periods. The vendor asserts that the automatic scheduling and calculation functionality of PDS Vista will enhance efficiency in managing healthcare plans within organizations.

PDS Vista Features

Human Resource Management Features

  • Supported: Employee demographic data
  • Supported: Employment history
  • Supported: Job profiles and administration
  • Supported: Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.
  • Supported: Benefits information
  • Supported: Organizational charting
  • Supported: Organization and location management
  • Supported: Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)

Payroll Management Features

  • Supported: Pay calculation
  • Supported: Support for external payroll vendors
  • Supported: Off-cycle/On-Demand payment
  • Supported: Payroll history for each employee
  • Supported: Benefit plan administration
  • Supported: Direct deposit files
  • Supported: Payroll tracking and auditing
  • Supported: Salary revision and increment management

Leave and Attendance Management Features

  • Supported: Approval workflow
  • Supported: Email notifications
  • Supported: Balance details
  • Supported: Annual carry-forward and encashment

Employee Self Service Features

  • Supported: Employee login
  • Supported: View and generate pay and benefit information
  • Supported: Update personal information
  • Supported: Request time off
  • Supported: View job history
  • Supported: View company policy documentation
  • Supported: View company news and information
  • Supported: Employee recognition

Asset Management Features

  • Supported: Tracking of all physical assets
  • Supported: Asset return

HR Reporting Features

  • Supported: Report builder
  • Supported: Pre-built reports
  • Supported: Ability to combine HR data with external data

Integration with other HR capabilities Features

  • Supported: Additional HR capabilities (talent management, LMS, etc.) supplied by same vendor
  • Supported: Additional HR capabilities (talent management, LMS, etc.) supplied by different vendor

Performance Management Features

  • Supported: Performance plans
  • Supported: Performance improvement plans
  • Supported: Review status tracking
  • Supported: Review reminders
  • Supported: Multiple review frequency

Succession Planning Features

  • Supported: Create succession plans/pools
  • Supported: Candidate ranking
  • Supported: Candidate search
  • Supported: Candidate development

Onboarding Features

  • Supported: New hire portal
  • Supported: Manager tracking tools

Performance and Goals Features

  • Supported: Corporate goal setting
  • Supported: Individual goal setting
  • Supported: Performance tracking

Recruiting / ATS Features

  • Supported: Job Requisition Management
  • Supported: Company Website Posting
  • Supported: Duplicate Candidate Prevention
  • Supported: Applicant Tracking
  • Supported: Notifications and Alerts

Additional Features

  • Supported: Natural Language Query Tool
  • Supported: Configurable Analytics, Dashboards and KPIs
  • Supported: Configurable Workflows
  • Supported: On-Premise or Cloud deployment

PDS Vista Competitors

PDS Vista Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows, Linux, Mac
Mobile ApplicationApple iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mobile Web
Supported CountriesU.S. & Canada
Supported LanguagesEnglish

Frequently Asked Questions

Vista® is a human resource, benefits, payroll, recruiting, and self-service software. Functional elements include recruitment, staffing, position and training management, compliance, and performance and compensation.

ADP Vantage HCM and UKG Workforce Central (discontinued) are common alternatives for PDS Vista.

Reviewers rate Employee demographic data and Employment history and Job profiles and administration highest, with a score of 9.

The most common users of PDS Vista are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).

PDS Vista Customer Size Distribution

Consumers0%
Small Businesses (1-50 employees)0%
Mid-Size Companies (51-500 employees)27%
Enterprises (more than 500 employees)73%
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(30)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Vista HRMS is a versatile software that is used by organizations, including the Lee County Clerk of Courts and Lee County government, airport, and court administration employees, for HR, benefits, and payroll management. Users have found that this program has greatly improved their organization by consolidating databases and spreadsheets into one accessible database. This has not only enhanced overall organization but has also allowed employees to easily access relevant information. With Vista HRMS, users can efficiently process HR and PR functions, maintain accurate records, and track employee information seamlessly. The software provides detailed payroll and benefits information, integrates well with other systems, and reduces the need for manual data updating. Additionally, Vista HRMS allows companies to produce regular net payroll and W-2s, with all employees having access to review their individual payroll information. The Alamo Area Council of Governments also utilizes Vista HRMS for various HR functions such as benefits management, recruitment, and payroll. This software is implemented across the entire organization, enabling employees to view pay stubs and managers to conduct performance reviews. With over 15 years of experience in HR and payroll functions, Vista HRMS has proven itself as an effective solution that seamlessly integrates with other systems. It offers great flexibility through its ability to be customized based on specific organizational needs. Companies have also appreciated the self-service functionality provided by Vista HRMS, as it allows applicants to conveniently access information during the application process. Furthermore, it serves as both a time and attendance system for employees and a reliable system of record for HR and payroll departments. Overall, Vista HRMS stands out with its integrated solution for HR, payroll, and benefits requirements while providing excellent support from its sales team. Users find it user-friendly regardless of their computer proficiency levels.

Vista HRMS has received positive feedback from users in several key areas. Many users have found the system to be flexible and capable, allowing for customization of fields, procedures, wizards, and reports to meet their specific business processes. Numerous reviewers have praised the user-friendly and intuitive nature of Vista HRMS, noting that employees require minimal training or documentation to navigate the system effectively. Users also appreciate the excellent customer service provided by PDS, the company behind Vista HRMS, with prompt responses to questions and problems. Additionally, several users highlight the seamless interface between Vista HRMS and their accounting software, making it easy to update the general ledger accurately. Overall, users express satisfaction with Vista HRMS as an all-in-one solution for their HR, benefits, and payroll needs.

Confusing User Interface: Many users have expressed frustration with the system's confusing user interface, which has made it difficult for them to navigate and perform tasks efficiently. The layout and organization of features are not intuitive, leading to a steep learning curve for new users.

Inadequate Recruiting Module: The recruiting module falls short in meeting the needs of users, as they have identified several areas that require further development. Users have reported issues with candidate tracking, job posting functionality, and limited customization options within the module.

Difficulties in Creating Custom Reports: Several reviewers have mentioned encountering challenges when attempting to create custom reports. This process demands expertise in Crystal Reports, posing a barrier for users who do not possess this specific skillset or wish to rely on external resources for report generation.

Based on the feedback received from users, one common recommendation for Vista HRMS is to ensure that enough training is obtained before implementing the software. This is because users believe that Vista HRMS is well suited for most HR departments. It is important to note that this training will help users make the most of the software and optimize its functionalities. Overall, getting adequate training prior to implementation is seen as a valuable step in maximizing the benefits of Vista HRMS in an HR department setting.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-7 of 7)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
November 29, 2017

PDS is money in the bank!

Cody Parker | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It is used across the whole organization. It provides more detail to our users for payroll and benefits. It also allows us to use the data and integrate other data from other systems to report out information and tie in employment and demographic information. It allows our admins to spend less time manually updating data as well.
  • Security - flexibility to a wide variety of types of users.
  • Expansion - When acquisitions happen it was quick to add a company.
  • User Exp - Users find it easy to navigate and find what they need.
  • Job History - Too many areas that dates populate.
  • ATS - There is a lack of flexibility for applicants when applying for multiple jobs.
  • Searching - The functionality is a little limited, would be nice to type in any information on a person and search.
Vista has been great for our business as we expand and have to add in other company information but yet still be able to provide the tailored experience for the new company. I previously worked in ADP and Paylocity, having the ability to get in on the back end and make changes is a big plus.
Becky Boyer | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Vista is the HRMS we currently use to produce our bi-weekly net payroll and W-2s. Everyone in the company has access to review individual payroll information. Payroll has enhanced reporting and interface capabilities that produce post processing journal entry interfaces, documentation to support account balances in our general ledger and all data necessary to stay compliant with federal and state agencies.
  • Vista allows us to have different "Distribution" areas within each FEIN. These distribution types sort and subtotal by type and then provide a grand total for the FEIN. We can organize more efficiently and have subtotals by distribution available to management in a very timely manner.
  • Navigating through Vista is extremely intuitive. You don't have to memorize screen names, labels or numbers to find information.
  • The standard report process quickly and can be save in excel for sorting and analysis.
  • Due to our established SOX requirements, we do a lot of screen prints. There are many screens that have a printer icon facilitate this process. There are instances in which we need to drill down and require a screen print from a different level, the printer icon is there, but it prints without the employee's name or number which is not adequate.
  • There are times we would prefer to key specific information rather than choose a validated item from a drop down screen.
  • We have multiple FEINs, companies, districts and distributions. There are a few areas/screens where it is difficult to see exactly what company, etc you are working on in the table set ups. We have gotten in the habit of triple checking the company.
It is well suited for any size organization. It has employee self-service capabilities that will allow an employee to view payroll details, W2s, change their individual addresses, change direct deposit information and make W-4 elections.
February 09, 2017

PDS VistaHRMS

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use PDS VistaHRMS for our core HR, Benefits, Payroll and Recruiting functions. Our main users are in the Human Resources area but all employees benefit from VistaHRMS due to the self-service functionality it provides as well as the ability to allow supervisors access to review applicants through recruiting..
  • VistaHRMS' open, customizable architecture which provides ultimate flexibility and opportunities for integration. We can use our technical development skills to create any new module we may need as well as extend the base system code to handle our unique requirements, special circumstances and processes. This also aids greatly in troubleshooting and identifying issues because you can get right down to the source code.
  • VistaHRMS provides flexibility for security so that any employee in the company can have access to the HR information that is pertinent to him or her.
  • PDS staff are spectacular to work with. They provide high-quality, timely support and are always willing to spend the time to get your questions answered.
  • PDS is deeply and sincerely interested in customer feedback. This is the best way to improve the product: listen to your customers. They not only listen to the request, they actually implement many of the changes in base system. PDS is a strategic partner for our organization based on the level of service they have provided and their willingness to act on our feedback.
  • Typical of any system built for the unknown requirements of hundreds or thousands of customers with varying needs, PDS sometimes doesn't fit our processes precisely out of the box. However, this con is far outweighed by the ability to configure and customize the system.
  • The most significant pet peeve of our users is the necessity for so many clicks to navigate between different areas or the system or to review applicants. These items are being addressed based on feedback from the user community in an upcoming release.
Having options for on-site, hosted or SaaS implementations, the VistaHRMS system can meet the needs of most organizations whether the organization has IT staff or not. There will be situations where unique requirements may require customizations to the system to accommodate the needs. However, with the open architecture and the consulting of PDS, most anything can be developed to suit your needs.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Currently, it's being used in the HR department with the intention to deliver it across the organization shortly - opportunity to leverage operational factors such as analytics, leave accrual, emergency contacts, recruitment etc.
  • We can evolve reports to produce metrics that fit the specific needs of the organization. A user can define and create what they need, or contact PDS for assistance. Our ideas don't seem to be impossible - confident that the system can drill into any metric we can think of.
  • Customer support from PDS is fantastic. They respond to our inquiries quickly and professionally.
  • All-in-one package -- this is helpful with planning how to deploy modules without breaking the bank.
  • Visually, it can improve. It may not be as "cool" as other systems on the market, but the functionality makes up for that tenfold.
  • Upgrades do not always go smoothly on our end but there are diverse factors involved here. We also resolve the issues quickly with PDS.
It is well suited for providing a dashboard for your employees where analytics are presented and you can drill down into particular details; when you require workflow to occur (i.e. to manage leave accrual) for recruitment and succession planning; goal setting and performance reviews; etc. If you need a tool that looks "cool" and is not so dependent on your skills to develop the system, you may not feel this system is right for you.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
On the front face of the business our employees would say that Vista HRMS is our time and attendance system. Behind the scenes, Human Resources and Payroll use it for our system of record. All employees are stored in Vista HRMS and our benefits, leave accruals, time keeping and payroll are run through Vista HRMS. This is good for us because it keeps all of our information on one platform and I am not having to toggle between programs to run payroll or check employee records and history. .
  • Vista HRMS is extremely configurable. It's completely adaptable to your specific business needs.
  • Security is very robust and you have the ability to easily create and adjust access amongst security groups
  • I feel like the payroll process is pretty simple and the system will generate multiple reports for each step so you are able to verify information along the way. You can rerun steps and processes as many times necessary until all your data is accurate and ties out to your business standards. This is always a welcome feature before you hit that magical 'pay' button!
  • Time entry is very manual, you have to be very specific in your time entry by inserting the colon and also the AM/PM. Military time entry will work if you're settings are set to accept military time entry. A time punch button would be a great addition to this module, or a quick drop down option of base hour or half hour entries.
  • Currently, the system allows employees to enter more leave accrual time then they have available. This error does generate on reports when payroll is run, however as a business rule we do follow up with each individual who has gone over and see if they would like those hours moved over to other available accruals or let them know that it will be unpaid if no other accrual balances exist. I believe you can configure a 'User Exit' to notify employees as soon as they enter the time in that those hours are not available, however it is not part of the base system. This would be a helpful addition and would save quite a bit of time on the follow up during payroll processing.
  • I was not here during implementation of this product, so I am not sure of the training that our administrators received at the time. However I have not had much luck in finding best practices for the system or training manuals. My knowledge has come through trial and error and calling our hosted support team to help walk me through issues. More FAQ material or even module training materials would be great for newly hired employees who need to have access to Vista HRMS in more than a basic time entry capacity.
You have the option of taking the system in house or being a hosted client. Figure out what resources your IT department has to spare, if you will have a dedicated administrator who will do all the upgrades and enhancements or if you will be job sharing those responsibilities. Like all software, Vista HRMS has multiple upgrades a year. You will need someone or a team of a few individuals to test these upgrades out and be able to take on a role of administrator, technology consultant or front end user and make sure these upgrades are working from all angles.
Vista HRMS really is a good product for keeping all HR and Payroll related records in one system, I just stress the fact that you have to have someone on hand who wants to own the product and be willing to learn as much as possible. The more you put into this product, the more you will get out of it.
January 27, 2015

New with VISTA

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
The Alamo Area Council of Governments is currently utilizing VISTA HRMS for all HR Functions across the agency for benefits, employee personnel management, recruitment and payroll.
  • Benefit Module - Prior to VISTA, AACOG was unable to electronically allow employees to register or maintain their health benefits. The system has allowed for each employee to have a view access to their benefits and if changes are required, communication can be sent to their HR Specialist to request the change. This process has helped eliminate a paper process in which the employees and HR staff would have to manually register and track benefits. AWESOME
  • Payroll - Until the implementation of the Payroll Module, AACOG's employees had to complete a paper version of their work hours and submit to the payroll department. The VISTA Payroll Module allows each employee to enter their time into a system that allows the supervisors to approve and submit automatically to the payroll department. This process eliminates the payroll specialist from having to manually track down supervisor for the employee's paper time report. The system also tracks the employee leave accruals as well as leave that has been used. The system eliminates the need to have multiple tracking systems and all is maintained in one area.
  • This is a truly a hard question to fairly answer, due to our recent implementation of the VISTA HRMS system it would be unfair to say that the system is not meeting our expectations. There are so many areas and components that we are not utilizing or under utilizing that it will take some trial and errors before we are fully functioning to the best the system has to offer.
Make sure that you truly understand the undertaking of setting up your new VISTA HRMS system. Often people forget all the painstaking processes that their company has in place which can become troublesome when developing the processes for the new system. You will need all hands on deck, to include HR, Payroll, Accounting and IT departments along with the executives that make the financial decisions.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We implement Vista HRMS for our clients. Vista HRMS coupled with the interface with our own housing software provides our clients an integrated enterprise platform. By using Vista HRMS, our Housing and Financial management software does not have to reinvent the wheel but instead leverage an off the self robust platform for human resources and payroll. Our clients being spread across different states, have varied requirements and the flexibility of Vista HRMS makes the application a good solution for us across the board.
  • Self Service is a great module which helps to cut down on calls to both the HR team and the payroll teams
  • The benefits wizard is invaluable at the time of open enrollment. The ability to customize the wizard makes it very user friendly and flexible
  • Workflows when configured properly not only cuts down on paperwork, but also ensures that everyone is in the loop and nothing gets lost
  • With the proper technical know how, the PDS Enterprise server can be use in the back end to automated processes and run scheduled job
  • Reports generated by the PDS Enterprise server. It would be nice to have more ways to display and sort the generated data
Vista HRMS is very flexible and also very customizable, The question to ask is how far are you willing to customize the application to fit a particular set of requirements. Most of the time no customization is required except for some custom report. But at the of the day, many PDS customers have and continue to customize the application to fit niche requirements.
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