Ultimate Software ULTI -1.18% , a leading provider of unified human capital management SaaS solutions for global businesses, announced today that the company’s customer service team has achieved its 13th consecutive certification from the Service Capability & Performance (SCP) Standards Certification program.

Ultimate Software achieved certification after an extensive audit of its customer service and support center. The SCP Standards quantify the effectiveness of an organization’s customer service and support based upon a stringent set of performance standards.

“We not only have achieved this most recent rigorous certification, but we have done so year after year since 1998 — the first year SCP Standards were introduced,” said Jon Harris, chief services officer for Ultimate Software. “This industry-leading measure for service excellence shows that our people, processes, and technology comply with proven best practices. Ultimate Software has always been committed to driving higher levels of service within the marketplace, and this certification reflects the exceptional quality and consistency of the services we deliver to our thousands of customers.”

The SCP (Support Standard, Field Service Standard, Professional Service Standard) is part of a suite of service capability and performance standards designed to improve the effectiveness of technology service operations. A consortium of leading technology companies and Service Strategies Corporation created the internationally recognized standards, which define best practices for delivering world-class technology service and support, quantify performance levels, and establish a foundation to build on existing quality processes. Certification requires comprehensive audits and annual recertification to confirm that companies continue to meet the requirements of the program.

Ultimate Software joins the ranks of other leading technology companies that have achieved the prestigious SCP Certification, including EMC Corporation, Lockheed Martin Incorporated, GE Healthcare, Rockwell Automation, Nokia, and NetApp. Currently, more than 200 technology support organizations around the world participate in the SCP program.

“The Service Capability & Performance Standards are the global benchmark for service excellence,” said Greg Coleman, vice president of strategic programs for Service Strategies, the organization that manages the SCP Certification program. “By passing the rigorous requirements necessary to achieve SCP Certification, Ultimate Software has made a clear commitment to delivering world-class support and service to its customers.”

About Service Strategies Corporation

Headquartered in San Diego, Service Strategies advances service excellence for quality-minded organizations by providing industry standards, strategic advisory services, and career development solutions that ensure delivery of consistent, high-quality service and support. Service Strategies applies a proven benchmark process to its standards programs that measure and drive effectiveness for continuous service improvement. In addition, the company’s tailored training programs enhance the careers of service professionals throughout the industry and lead to increased organizational effectiveness. The world’s leading service and support providers use Service Strategies’ Service Capability & Performance (SCP) Standards as a roadmap for service excellence. For more information, visit www.servicestrategies.com , call toll free 800-552-3058, or email info@servicestrategies.com.

About Ultimate Software

Ultimate is a leading provider of unified human capital management (HCM) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for global businesses. Ultimate’s award-winning UltiPro(R) solutions deliver the functionality businesses need to manage the complete employment life cycle from recruitment to retirement. Based in Weston, FL, Ultimate employs more than 1,200 professionals who are focused on developing the highest quality solutions and services. In 2010, Ultimate was named an Optimas Award winner by Workforce Management magazine. In 2009, Ultimate was awarded first place in the People’s Choice Stevie(R) competition for Favorite New SaaS Product and was ranked the #1 best medium-sized company to work for in America by the Great Place to Work(R) Institute for the second consecutive year. In 2010, Ultimate’s security practices were recertified for ISO/IEC 27001, and Ultimate was the first HR SaaS vendor to be ISO/IEC 27001 certified in 2008. Ultimate has approximately 2,200 customers representing diverse industries, including such organizations as Adobe Systems Incorporated, The Container Store, Culligan International, Elizabeth Arden, Major League Baseball, The New York Yankees Baseball Team, P.F. Chang’s, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ultimate-software-earns-13th-consecutive-certification-from-the-prestigious-service-capability-performance-standards-2012-01-04

The Ultimate Software Group (NASDAQ: ULTI) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

Separately, analysts at Kaufman Brothers reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of The Ultimate Software Group in a research note to investors on Tuesday, December 6th. Also, analysts at Wunderlich reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of The Ultimate Software Group in a research note to investors on Monday, December 5th. They now have a $77.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $65.00.

The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (Ultimate) is a provider of unified human capital management (HCM) software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for global businesses. Ultimate’s UltiPro software (UltiPro) is a SaaS-based solution delivered primarily to organizations based in the United States and Canada and designed to deliver the functionality businesses need to manage the employment life cycle from recruitment to retirement. The solution includes feature sets for talent acquisition and onboarding, human resources (HR) management and compliance, benefits management and online enrollment, payroll, performance management, learning management, salary planning and budgeting for compensation management, reporting and analytical decision-making tools, and time and attendance. Ultimate’s UltiPro is marketed as two solution suites based on company size.

Shares of The Ultimate Software Group opened at 65.12 on Friday. The Ultimate Software Group has a 52 week low of $43.28 and a 52 week high of $71.97. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $65.83 and its 200-day moving average is $55.83. The company has a market cap of $1.695 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 505.81.

Source:http://localizedusa.com/2011/12/31/the-ultimate-software-group-ulti-shares-downgraded-to-a-underperform-rating-by-zacks-investment-research-analysts/

Ultimate Software Group (Nasdaq:ULTI) hit a new 52-week high Thursday as it is currently trading at $62.86, above its previous 52-week high of $61.40 with 262,590 shares traded as of 3:36 p.m. ET. Average volume has been 277,800 shares over the past 30 days.

Ultimate Software Group has a market cap of $1.6 billion and is part of the technology sector and internet industry. Shares are up 24.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. designs, develops, and markets unified human capital management (HCM) software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for businesses. Its UltiPro HCM solution comprises human resources (HR), payroll, and talent management feature sets. The company has a P/E ratio of 262.9, below the average internet industry P/E ratio of 466.3 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7.

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TheStreet Ratings rates Ultimate Software Group as a hold. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, good cash flow from operations and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the growth in the company’s net income has been quite unimpressive.

Source:http://www.thestreet.com/story/11299647/1/ultimate-software-group-stock-hits-new-52-week-high-ulti.html

Florida-based Ultimate Software (ULTI – Snapshot Report) recently announced that the company opened its new office in Santa Ana, CA.

The new office is expected to accommodate more than 100 Ultimate Software personnel which primarily consists of customer support, payment services and consulting services staff along with John Stauffer, vice president of payment services, and Ted Malley, vice president and general manager for regional services in the western U.S. In addition, the new office includes a 30-person training facility located for Ultimate Software’s west coast customers.

Management stated that the expanding presence in the west coast of the country continues to be key priority for the company as it grows its business.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Weston, Florida, Ultimate is a leading provider of unified human capital management (HCM) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for global businesses.

Earlier, premier financial services and insurance company – Lincoln Financial Group selected the UltiPro solution from Ultimate Software. Lincoln, which has over $164 billion in assets, selected this solution for comprehensive people management through the convenience of Software as a Service (SaaS) and to better meet strategic business objectives.

Coyote Logistics LLC also selected UltiPro Workplace from Ultimate Software to manage the rapid growth of its workforce. Coyote Logistics offers supply-chain solutions across North America and Europe. This includes truckload, intermodal, less-than-truckload, and ocean- and air-based services.

First Air, Canada’s foremost Arctic air carrier, also selected the UltiPro solution as its single HCM system of record to improve the quality and analysis of its employee data.

Meanwhile, second quarter results missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.03. We continue to have an Underperform recommendation on Ultimate Software. Our recommendation is supported by Zacks #4 Rank which tranlastes into a short-term rating of Sell.

Source:http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/59973/Ultimate+Software+Opens+New+Offfice

Ultimate Software ULTI +3.85% , a leading provider of unified human capital management SaaS solutions for global businesses, announced today the opening of its new office in Santa Ana, CA.

The new office accommodates more than 100 Ultimate Software personnel, consisting primarily of customer support, payment services, and consulting services staff as well as several of the company’s executive leadership team — including John Stauffer, vice president of payment services, and Ted Malley, vice president and general manager for regional services in the western U.S. The new office also includes a 30-person training facility conveniently located for Ultimate Software’s west coast customers.

“Expanding our presence on the west coast is one component of our plans to continue improving the level of service we deliver to our customers as we continue to grow our business,” said Stauffer. “As an industry-leading cloud provider, Ultimate Software recognizes that technology innovation is a critical part of delivering value to our customers, but it’s equally important for a technology company to focus on the quality and accessibility of customer service. By extending our services team on the west coast, we’re excited to bring additional Ultimate resources closer to our many customers located in this part of the U.S.”

Some of Ultimate Software’s west coast customers include Adobe Systems Incorporated, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the San Diego Convention Center, and Yamaha Corporation of America. Ultimate Software is headquartered in Weston, FL, with offices across North America including Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL, and Toronto, Canada. The new office is located 5 Hutton Centre, Santa Anta, CA 92707.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ultimate-software-opens-new-office-in-orange-county-california-2011-08-29

Ultimate Software Group has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, compelling growth in net income and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company’s return on equity has been disappointing.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

Compared to its closing price of one year ago, ULTI’s share price has jumped by 54.78%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Looking ahead, however, we cannot assume that the stock’s past performance is going to drive future results. Quite to the contrary, its sharp appreciation over the last year is one of the factors that should prompt investors to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. In comparison to the other companies in the Software industry and the overall market, ULTIMATE SOFTWARE GROUP INC’s return on equity is significantly below that of the industry average and is below that of the S&P 500.

ULTI’s debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.06 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. Even though the company has a strong debt-to-equity ratio, the quick ratio of 0.29 is very weak and demonstrates a lack of ability to pay short-term obligations.

The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the Software industry average, but is less than that of the S&P 500. The net income increased by 28.6% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $0.26 million to $0.33 million.

The revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 7.2%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 15.9%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company’s bottom line, displaying stagnant earnings per share.

The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. designs, markets, implements, and supports unified human capital management (HCM) software-as-service (SaaS) solutions to businesses, providing a single source for comprehensive human resources, payroll, and talent management technology. The company has a P/E ratio of 523, below the average internet industry P/E ratio of 719.1 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 16.7. Ultimate Software Group has a market cap of $1.6 billion and is part of the technology sector and internet industry.

Source:http://www.thestreet.com/story/11097024/1/ultimate-software-group-inc-stock-downgraded-ulti.html