ADP Acquires Asparity Decision Solutions, a Leading Provider of Employee Benefits Management Decision Support Tools and Data Solutions

ROSELAND, N.J., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ADP®, a leading provider of human resource outsourcing, payroll services, benefits administration and integrated computing solutions for vehicle dealers, today announced it has acquired Asparity Decision Solutions, a highly-respected, privately-held supplier of patented employee benefits decision support tools.  Asparity's service offerings engage employees as health care consumers while providing employers with analytics to help them design more effective benefit strategies. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Asparity currently delivers Web-based decision support technology and advanced consumer behavioral data analytics to FORTUNE 1,000 companies and public-sector employers. In addition, Asparity provides decision support tools, branded as PlanSmartChoice, to all federal employees who participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.  In the 2011 benefit plan year, nearly 100,000 federal employees have used the decision support utility. The addition of Asparity underscores ADP's long history and on-going commitment to providing robust, insightful benefits administration solutions and outsourcing services that help clients execute on their critical benefits strategies.

"The acquisition of Asparity enhances ADP's overall leadership position in Human Capital Management by strengthening our benefits solutions portfolio and expertise," said Tim Clifford, President, Benefits Services at ADP. "Together, Asparity and ADP will be able to better meet the needs of clients that are seeking ways to streamline the annual enrollment process, contain health care costs and offer their employees more personalized solutions to help them make smarter, more informed benefits choices."

"ADP's acquisition of Asparity is an all around win-win," noted Linda Merritt, Research Manager, HRO at NelsonHall. "This is an excellent fit for ADP, which continues to expand its value proposition by enhancing its benefits and human capital management business process capabilities in a manner well suited to its strengths. Together, ADP and Asparity will be able to provide knowledgeable insights into managing the rising cost of health care and link its services to creating broader business value."  

As the industry leading provider of comprehensive payroll and benefits administration solutions, ADP recognizes the importance of helping employees understand and optimize benefit choices while maximizing their take-home pay. With the addition of Asparity, ADP's benefits portfolio will gain proprietary decision support tools and a decade of expertise in analyzing and understanding employee health care preferences. This deep understanding of consumer buying needs will strengthen ADP's ability to serve clients by providing insightful expertise and visionary solutions.

"As part of the ADP family, Asparity will gain access to the vast resources and infrastructure needed to significantly expand our reach," said Colleen Murphy, President and CEO of Asparity. "As the health care system becomes increasingly complex, we will be better positioned to help our clients address the important challenge of engaging their employees to make more informed, affordable health care decisions."

Contemporary drivers such as consolidated plan offerings, changing benefit designs, increasing employee contributions, and recent U.S. health care reform mandates are placing increased responsibility for health care decision-making directly upon individual consumers. With Asparity, ADP clients can provide their employees with valuable tools that help them navigate the complexity of current and emerging benefits options and guide them in selecting the best plans – based on what is most important to them and their families. Asparity's decision support users benefit from identifying and enrolling in the plans that can best meet their personal and family needs, all while helping to reduce costs for themselves and their employers.

"Employers today are concerned about the cost burden and complexity associated with health care reform, namely the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)," noted Clifford. "In fact, a recent ADP study found that 70% of HR decision-makers at large organizations believe that new regulations will make benefits administration a more difficult process.  ADP, along with Asparity's solid experience in the public sector, will be uniquely positioned to provide employers with the tools and support needed to successfully navigate and meet these new challenges."

The acquisition of Asparity builds on ADP's broader efforts to expand the depth and breadth of its benefits administration service offerings.  Most recently, the company introduced a Strategic Advisory Services group that will work directly with clients and provide them with business intelligence and analysis of the constantly changing benefits administration landscape.  By delivering value-added analytics, insights and actionable ideas, the Strategic Advisory Services group's mission is to help clients successfully execute their benefits strategies and provide a high quality participant experience.

About ADP

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADP), with about $10 billion in revenues and approximately 570,000 clients, is one of the world's largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging over 60 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of human resource, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP's easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine, recreational vehicle, and heavy equipment dealers throughout the world. For more information about ADP or to contact a local ADP sales office, reach us at 1.800.225.5237 or visit the company's Web site at www.ADP.com.

About Asparity

Asparity provides decision support and data solutions for the management of health care and employee benefits. The company owns patented technology in conjoint analysis and advanced software applications that it delivers directly to corporate clients, through strategic partners, and in a sponsorship-based Web portal (PlanSmartChoice.com). The company is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. To find out more, please visit www.asparity.com or contact us at 919-688-1430.

For more information, contact:

Christian Harper, Weber Shandwick for ADP
(212) 445-8135
[email protected]

SOURCE Automatic Data Processing, Inc.