Complex Payroll Outsourcing Needs Veteran Advisor, Says Alsbridge

DALLAS, Jan. 27, 2009 – Outsourcing payroll functions used to be as simple as calling an expert service provider and negotiating a good price. No more.

“To get the greatest outsourcing benefits, get independent advice from somebody who has seen it all before,” said Ben Trowbridge, CEO of Alsbridge, Inc., the leading outsourcing consultants. He said an experienced consultant has a wealth of knowledge of the marketplace and suppliers, and can help answer the right outsourcing questions.

View the Alsbridge article “Why Call an Advisor?”

Trowbridge said an experienced outsourcing consultant can help organizations find answers to four important questions:

What are your outsourcing objectives? -- Cost saving may be the main objective, but outsourcing can deliver other benefits: implementing new technology, overhauling all business processes, and enhancing customer service.

What is your scope? --The range of payroll outsourcing services means that organizations can take the whole operation to an external supplier, or companies can identify specific payroll functions to outsource and seek “point solutions.”

Do you know the supplier landscape? -- There are about 15 credible payroll services suppliers. With more payroll service offerings, you can find a supplier with experience in your industry, in the services you need, and at the right price. Some 95 percent of suppliers operate offshore, many with multiple locations that can be tailored to fit your needs.

What can’t your supplier do? -- Many elements of payroll outsourcing aren’t the supplier’s responsibility -- retained organization design, client-side contract management, good governance, and client-stakeholder communications.

Suppliers cannot act in isolation to make outsourcing deals work. Clients outsourcing for the first time lack experienced resources to manage all activities. Not managing them often leads to a troubled supplier relationship and an underperforming contract.

“You really can’t afford to forgo veteran outsourcing counsel,” Trowbridge said.

For more information on outsourcing advisory services, contact Alsbridge at 214-696-6410 or visit www.Alsbridge.com. For more original research and insight on outsourcing topics, visit www.OutsourcingLeadership.com.