Ascentis Grows Annual Contract Value (ACV) by 54% and Makes JMP Hotlist 100 Award 2nd Year in a Row

Business growth and analyst recognition inspired by continued client growth and retention, and introduction of free accredited educational webinar program.

Bellevue, WA (I-Newswire) September 5, 2012 - Ascentis Corporation, a market leader in easy-to-use human resources software, online payroll services, and human capital management (HCM) solutions, announced today an exciting first half 2012 (1H2012), citing a 54% percent increase in ACV compared to the same time period in 2011.

Key highlights from Ascentis’ successful 1H2012 include:

Renewals: Ascentis reported continued strong client loyalty, as evidenced by its greater than 97% subscription renewal rate.

New Clients: Ascentis increased new clients by 76% in 1H2012 compared to the same time frame in 2011.

Educational Initiative: Ascentis launched its cost-free accredited educational webinar program in February, offering weekly webcasts to HR and payroll professionals for recertification credit hours (RCH). Ascentis-sponsored webinars are submitted to the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and the American Payroll Association (APA) for credit, and credit is issued to all attendees who qualify. Ascentis' webinar speakers’ panel includes nationally recognized HR and payroll professionals, employment attorneys, government agencies, and business partners. Ascentis regularly attracts between 700 and 1,000 professionals to its twice weekly webinar offerings, thereby increasing national brand awareness.

Awards: In addition to the above achievements, Ascentis attained industry recognition as one of the fastest growing private companies in the software industry. This award is the second consecutive annual JMP Hotlist award from JMP Securities, a full-service San Francisco-based investment bank.

Due to its ease-of-use and reputation for delivering an extraordinary client experience, Ascentis has attracted nationally recognized companies to its client roster that include Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Bare Escentuals, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Monster Cable, and Francis Ford Coppola Presents. New client additions in 2012 include SCVNGR, United Prairie Bank, Cobalt Mortgage, Spiral Solutions, Mobile Doctors, UMWA 1974 Pension Trust, Proficio Mortgage, and Sumter County BOCC.

“Proficio Mortgage Ventures, LLC spent a year evaluating products,” said Stephen Bennett, business operations manager of Proficio Mortgage. “We selected Ascentis as our end-to-end HRIS solution provider in 2012 because it provides great flexibility, meets our comprehensive business requirements, is cost-effective, and is backed by a company with industry-leading customer support. We are very happy we made this choice.”

"I'm extremely pleased with the results and achievements that we have accomplished in the first half of 2012. These results are directly attributed to our products, our focus on superior client satisfaction and our employee’s passion to delivering the best solutions and services for our clients," said DJ Chhabra, Ascentis CEO. "In addition, we are extremely honored to have been named to the JMP Hot 100 list for the second year in a row. This validates the vision, strategy and results that Ascentis and our employees continue to focus on achieving."

About Ascentis
Ascentis Corporation offers easy-to-use human capital management software, HRIS, online payroll services, recruiting and timekeeping solutions that support greater business efficiency and accuracy. Ascentis technology automates critical processes such as full scale benefits management, compliance, online open enrollment, time and attendance, real-time payroll processing, tax filing, applicant tracking, employee and manager self-service and reporting. One point of data entry means employee information is accurate, up-to-date and reportable. Electronic submission of information to insurance carriers eliminates errors and supports a paperless open enrollment process. Ascentis offers world-class client service and continues to add software offerings to its suite of human capital management solutions.

For more information about Ascentis, send media inquiries to marketing@ascentis.com or contact Heather Bansemer at 1.800.229.2713 x174.