Stop Settling for Vendors. Start Partnering with Experts.

Here’s what we hear from business owners every single day: “I just want payroll and HR that works without the headaches.”

The $34.12 billion HCM market has created a confusing landscape where 362,000 companies are trying to figure out the right solution. You’ve got platform giants like ADP with 72,631 installations promising everything, small providers offering personal service but limited capabilities, and a whole lot of noise in between.

We think there’s a better way.

MP-Wired for HR represents what we call the independent advantage. We’re not a platform vendor trying to sell you our proprietary system. We’re your HCM partners who evaluated every option available and chose isolved because it’s simply the best technology for growing businesses.

Then we wrapped that enterprise-grade platform in the kind of service where real humans actually answer your calls. Here’s why that combination changes everything for your business.

Remember When Vendors Actually Cared About Your Success?

We still do.

If you’re tired of explaining your business to a different support rep every quarter, navigating phone trees that lead nowhere, or getting generic solutions for your specific problems, you’re not alone.

The HCM industry has a problem: too many vendors treat you like a software user instead of a business partner. They sell you a platform, hand you training videos, and point you toward a help desk when things go wrong.

But here’s what’s different about high-touch service: You work with the same dedicated experts who learn your business, answer when you call, and solve problems before they become emergencies.

Sound too good to be true? Let’s break down what this actually looks like.

What “High-Touch” Actually Means

High-touch HCM service means working with dedicated specialists who know your name, understand your industry, and stick around long enough to become genuine partners in your success.

It’s Not About the Software Features

Every HCM platform claims to have great features. The real difference is what happens when you need help:

Platform-Only Experience:

• Submit a ticket and wait 24-48 hours
• Explain your problem to Agent #1
• Get transferred to Agent #2 when it’s not obvious
• Explain your problem again
• Receive a generic solution that might work
• Submit another ticket when it doesn’t

High-Touch Experience:

• Call your dedicated rep directly
• They already know your business and history
• Discuss solutions specific to your situation
• Fix it now or give you a clear timeline
• Follow up to make sure it’s actually working
• Proactively inform clients of potential issues before they arise

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Companies working with high-touch HCM providers report dramatically different experiences than those who never look beyond pure platform vendors:

MP-HR’s Documented Results:

• 96% client retention rate – when clients stick around, it means the partnership works
• 4.4-year average team tenure (your rep actually sticks around)
• 100% on-time implementation starts (no more project delays)
• NPS is 73, over double the industry average! – real client testimonials that sound like actual humans wrote them

Research shows companies with higher satisfaction scores see 2.5x revenue growth compared to competitors. When your HCM support works smoothly, your business grows faster.

Why Your Current Vendor Might Drive You Crazy

Let’s be honest about what’s broken in the HCM world.

The Call Center Trap

Big platform vendors route you through tiered support systems where you explain your business to multiple people who don’t understand your industry.

Here’s what actually happens:

1. You call with an urgent payroll question at 4 PM Friday
2. Navigate a phone tree designed to discourage calls
3. Wait on hold listening to bad music
4. Explain your business to someone reading from a script
5. Get transferred when your situation doesn’t fit their template
6. Start over with Agent #2

Meanwhile, your payroll deadline approaches.

High-touch providers eliminate this nightmare by connecting you directly with experts who know your business. With 95% call answer rates by dedicated representatives, you skip the queue entirely.

The “Rep Rotation” Problem

Platform vendors experience high support staff turnover, forcing you to rebuild relationships constantly.

You know this cycle:

• Month 1: Train new rep on your business requirements
• Month 6: Rep finally understands your needs
• Month 8: Rep gets promoted or leaves
• Month 9: Start over with someone new

With high-touch providers averaging 4.4 years tenure, your service team becomes institutional knowledge that compounds over time. They remember your business history, preferences, and past challenges.

Why We Made One Big Decision That Benefits Every Client

The Platform Decision That Led to isolved

As an independent HCM partner, we’re not locked into proprietary systems built decades ago. We evaluated the major platforms available and chose isolved exclusively because it consistently delivers the best outcomes for growing businesses.

Why isolved works for our partnership model:

Technology capabilities:

• Most advanced real-time processing capabilities (no overnight batch processing delays)
• Superior mobile-first user experience that employees actually want to use
• Strongest API-first architecture enabling seamless integrations
• Comprehensive industry-specific functionality

Market validation:

• 260,000+ users nationwide proving platform reliability and scalability
• 500+ integrations with business applications
• Transparent pricing model with no hidden fees

The Exclusive Partnership Advantage

What our exclusive isolved partnership means for you:

We’re experts on the best platform available, not just our own creation. Every member of our team is certified on isolved’s capabilities, configurations, and optimization strategies.

Compare this to traditional models:

• Platform vendors: “Here’s our system. Adapt your business processes to fit our technology.”
• MP partnership: “Here’s the best system available, configured specifically for your industry and business needs.”

Healthcare organizations need HIPAA workflows that actually work. Manufacturing companies need union rule calculations for complex scenarios. Professional services firms need project tracking that integrates seamlessly.

The difference is fundamental. One approach forces you to change how you operate. The other adapts to how you need to operate.

Real Partnership vs. Sales Talk

Every HCM vendor promises “partnership” and “white-glove service.” Here’s how to spot the real thing.

Independent HCM Partners: Best Technology Plus Personal Service

What our exclusive isolved partnership means for you:

We’re experts on the best platform available, not just our own creation. Every member of our team is certified on isolved’s capabilities, configurations, and optimization strategies.

The difference between partnership and integration strategies:

Approach	High-touch Partners (MP-HR)	Large Platforms
Strategy	Partnership-focused	Integration-focused
Customization	High – individual attention	Low – standardized modules
Support Model	White-glove, proactive	Automated, self-service
Content Ecosystem	Tailored (webinars, guides, expert consults)	Centralized, self-serve
Partner Experience	Highly configured	Uniform/siloed

Industry-Standard Technology With Personal Support

You get powerful HCM technology configured properly for your industry and supported by people who actually know your business.

With 2,300+ companies served, MP-HR proves that high-touch service scales without losing the personal touch.

Questions That Reveal True Partnership

Ask potential providers:

• “Will I work with the same rep over time?” (Platform vendors can’t guarantee this)
• “Who answers when I call?” (High-touch providers name actual people)
• “What happens if my industry has specific compliance requirements?” (Partners have detailed answers)
• “Can I speak with your actual service team during evaluation?” (Partners say yes immediately)

When Humans Actually Answer the Phone

Here’s what it’s like when your HCM provider treats you like a partner, not a ticket number.

Your Dedicated Team Knows Your Business

Proactive Problem Solving:
Your payroll specialist notices unusual patterns and alerts you to potential issues before they impact employees.

Industry Expertise:
Your HR consultant understands healthcare HIPAA requirements, construction safety compliance, or nonprofit grant tracking, whatever your industry demands.

Relationship Value:
The longer your team works with your company, the more valuable their insights become. They understand your business cycles, employee patterns, and operational preferences.

Real Client Experiences

Implementation That Actually Works

High-touch providers demonstrate their difference most clearly during implementation, the foundation of your entire relationship.

MP-HR’s Streamlined 4-Stage Process:

• Stage 1: Discovery with your dedicated project manager
• Stage 2: Custom configuration for your specific workflows
• Stage 3: Expert-handled data migration and testing
• Stage 4: Go-live with the same team that configured everything

This approach delivers measurable time-to-value benefits:

• First successful payroll run within days, not weeks
• Complete compliance reporting capabilities from day one
• Two-click payroll processing that saves hours per cycle
• Automated time tracking across all locations immediately

Built for Your Industry

Generic platforms force you to work around their limitations. Industry-specific configuration eliminates these problems by building solutions that match how your business actually operates.

Healthcare & Home Care

HIPAA Workflows That Pass Audits

• Automated privacy controls for employee health information
• Secure documentation processes that auditors actually approve
• Credential tracking with expiration alerts (no more surprises)

Manufacturing & Logistics

Multi-State Compliance Without the Migraine

• Automated tax calculations across state lines
• Union rule calculations that handle complex overtime scenarios
• Regulatory reporting that meets different jurisdictions

Professional Services

Project Tracking That Actually Integrates

• Time tracking aligned with client billing requirements
• Flexible PTO that works with project deadlines
• Resource allocation optimization across engagements

Construction & Skilled Trades

Safety Compliance and Skilled Trade Scheduling

• Automated compliance tracking for safety requirements
• Certification management for skilled trades
• Project-based scheduling that accounts for skill requirements

Plus 20+ more industries with specialized configurations, including hospitality, retail, nonprofits, and financial services. See all industry solutions.

The Hidden Cost of Generic Solutions

One-size-fits-all platforms create expensive problems:

• Manual workarounds for industry-specific requirements increase error risk
• Compliance gaps require additional systems and processes
• Employee frustration with systems that don’t match their work patterns
• Hidden costs from customization attempts or supplemental software

Industry-specific configuration eliminates these problems from day one.

What Transparent Pricing Actually Looks Like

The Price Increases Nobody Talks About

Here’s something most HCM providers don’t want you to know: they lead with attractive introductory pricing, then hit you with significant increases in years 2-3 when switching becomes expensive and disruptive.

MP maintains a transparent pricing approach, offering full-feature pricing from the start in Year 1, without introductory “honeymoon rates.” This identical pricing continues into Year 2, guaranteeing no unexpected increases, and only minimal adjustments are made from Year 3 onwards. While the initial costs may be slightly higher than platform-only solutions, implementations aren’t abandoned and are customized to your business from the start.

Hidden costs traditional vendors don’t mention:

• Implementation restart fees when things go wrong
• Support charges after “included” hours are used up
• Integration setup and ongoing maintenance fees
• Compliance update charges (we include these)
• Premium feature unlock fees

How to Measure Success: Time-to-Value

High-touch HCM providers deliver faster business results because they configure solutions properly from the start.

Key Time-to-Value Milestones

Milestone	Platform Vendors	MP-HR High-Touch
First On-Time Payroll	Variable, often delayed	Within first week
HR Compliance Audit	Months of preparation	Ready from day one
Employee Training Completion	Self-service, inconsistent	Guided, 100% completion
Time Tracking Automation	Manual setup required	All locations day one
Reduced Manual Errors	Gradual improvement	Immediate reduction

Sources: Time-to-value research and HR tech ROI metrics

MP-HR’s Measurable Advantages

Service Quality Metrics:

• 96% client retention – clients don’t leave when value is real
• NPS above 70 – far above industry averages
• 95% call answer rate by dedicated representatives

Operational Excellence:

• 100% on-time project starts – no implementation delays
• Two-click payroll processing – save hours per cycle
• Proactive compliance alerts – prevent costly violations
• Average 40% savings on recruitment vs. traditional agencies

Conservative time savings estimates:

• HR administrative tasks: 10 hours per month saved
• Payroll processing: 6 hours per month saved
• Benefits administration: 4 hours per month saved
• Compliance management: 8 hours per month saved

Questions to Ask Before You Switch

Choosing an HCM provider impacts your business for years. Here’s how to evaluate your options.

Service Quality Questions

“Who will I actually work with?”

• High-touch providers introduce you to your actual service team
• Platform vendors talk about “support resources” in general terms

“What happens when I need help?”

• Partners explain their direct communication process
• Vendors describe ticket systems and escalation procedures

“How long do your client-facing employees typically stay?”

• High-touch providers share tenure statistics (4.4 years average for MP-HR)
• Platform vendors avoid specific numbers or change the subject

“How is MP different from working directly with isolved?”

Direct isolved relationships get you the software and basic support. MP partnerships get you the software plus dedicated service, implementation expertise, ongoing consultation, and industry-specific configuration. We’re your advocates who know both your business and the platform inside and out.

Implementation Reality Check

“What’s your track record for on-time implementations?”

• Quality providers share specific success metrics (100% for MP-HR)
• Others make vague promises about “doing their best”

“Who handles implementation, and will I work with them afterward?”

• High-touch providers use the same team for implementation and ongoing support
• Platform vendors often hand you off to different departments

The Market Reality: High-touch vs. Platform Performance

The global HCM market reached $34.37 billion in 2025, but size doesn’t equal service quality.

Industry Benchmarks Favor High-Touch Providers

Client Satisfaction Comparison:

Metric	High-touch Providers (MP-HR)	Large Platform Average
Client Satisfaction	Consistently high	Often below 50%
Client Retention	96%	Variable, often lower
Call Response	95% same-day	Queue-based, delayed
Implementation Success	100% on-time	Variable results
Team Tenure	4.4 years average	High turnover common

Sources: Customer retention research, Gallup workplace engagement

Why Size Doesn’t Equal Service

Large platforms serve 900,000+ clients. You’re a rounding error to them.

High-touch providers like MP-HR serve 2,300+ clients. You’re a partner whose success matters.

The difference shows up in every interaction, from implementation through ongoing support.

Ready to Work With Humans Again?

The choice isn’t about software features or pricing. It’s whether you want to manage an HR system or partner with experts who understand your business.

The Evidence Is Clear

Research from multiple industry sources confirms that high-touch HCM providers consistently outperform large platforms across key metrics:

Service Quality:

• Higher personalization index due to dedicated account management
• Faster issue resolution through dedicated support teams
• Better outcome improvement documented by sector
• More satisfied and loyal clients

Business Impact:

• Faster problem resolution through relationship continuity
• Proactive compliance guidance preventing costly mistakes
• Industry-specific configuration reducing operational friction
• Strategic partnership that grows with your business

The Truth Nobody Else Will Tell You

Big vendors have hundreds of thousands of clients. You’re a number in their system.

MP-HR has 2,300+ clients and 96% retention. You’re a partner in their success.

Stop settling for vendors. Start partnering with experts.

Coming Next: Deep Dive Content Series

This pillar page launches our comprehensive guide to high-touch HCM service. Over the next four weeks, we’ll dive deeper into:

• Why We Choose Partners, Not Platforms – How independent providers select the best technology for your needs, not their internal limitations
• What MP-HR Service Really Means – Inside look at dedicated team approach and why 96% of clients stick around year after year
• Industry-Standard Technology With Personal Service – How you get Fortune 500 technology with high-touch service (and why that combination is so rare)
• Built for Your Industry – Industry-specific solutions that actually work for healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and 20+ more sectors

Want these insights delivered directly? Subscribe to our HCM Partnership Newsletter for weekly guidance on optimizing your HR technology investment.

MP: Wired for HR serves companies across all industries from offices in Portsmouth, NH; Lafayette, IN; Beverly, MA; and Williamsville, NY. Learn more about our approach and expertise.

Sources and Additional Reading:

• MP-HR Independent Review on BetterBuys
• Customer Retention Research
• Gallup Workplace Engagement Study
• HCM Market Analysis 2025
• Time-to-Value Measurement Framework
• Partner Ecosystem vs Integration Strategies