Item: Paychex Flex
Rating: 9
Author: Robert White

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

PF is a great tool for us. We manage all of our timekeeping (punch via kiosk, timecards) and payroll functions through them. the Data transition from our old Paychex system to Flex was fairly straightforward. The platform is simple to use and intuitive in most areas. The support from Paychex is remarkable in that there is always someone to answer your questions even if your primary contact is unavailable. The reporting tools made available via templated reports and custom report builder tools are fantastic.

Pros and Cons

Templated Reports
The Payroll process
Fixing punch errors (frequent)
Being an 'All-in-one' HR platform

Customized reports could be more object based vs. column definition
System could be designed to better control punch errors
The payroll process can be a bit glitchy to import data into the current run

Return on Investment

Timeclock kiosk is great, fixing errors is not - net ROI - negative
Standard reporting is sufficient for our accounting purposes - net ROI - positive
Support to resolve emergencies is excellent - net ROI - positive +
Scheduling infrastructure value wasn't there - we opted for another tool

Alternatives Considered

Oracle PeopleSoft HCM

Paychex Flex is the most rounded of the 'total HR' solutions that I have encountered. We've found that the value and ease of use [are] optimal with PF. PeopleSoft is geared toward larger organizations and would be tedious to apply to a small company like ours. Paychex is very capable of being pliable for a small group and robust enough to satisfy our accountant.

Support Rating

Paychex [Flex] assigns a Support Specialist to you when you sign up. The specialist can be contacted directly (their phone tree is excellent as you are automatically connected based on the phone number you call from) and is well versed in all aspects of the program. Typically very responsive and helpful, and not shy about deferring to an expert when needed. Any encounter that we've initiated for billing purposes has been resolved, on the spot, vs. waiting for managerial approval or completing a tedious requisition process.

Key Insights

Do you think Paychex Flex delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Paychex Flex's feature set?

Yes

Did Paychex Flex live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Paychex Flex go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Paychex Flex again?

Yes

Usability

Every feature that we use in Paychex Flex is very intuitive. The kiosk is simple, albeit a bit unstructured. Running payroll, onboarding employees, and maintaining a personnel 'file' for each employee is easy and very flexible. the one area for development would be simplifying the construction and execution of custom reports.

Other Software Used

Deputy, Birdeye, Solutionreach

Likelihood to Recommend

Paychex Flex is a great tool for a small to mid-sized company looking for a complete HR, Payroll, and timekeeping solution. As a small business, PF is an optimal system for keeping all of our HR records together and allowing for a single focal point to control all aspects fairly well. I would be wary, and utilize resources carefully, for a large business due to the time-consuming nature of some tasks. The timekeeping kiosk is simple and strong in getting data into the system. The reporting and processing engines are top-notch.

Paychex Flex - a great solution for your small business

Overall Satisfaction with Paychex Flex