Ultimate Software Ranks in Top 100 on the 2012 InformationWeek 500 List

WESTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ultimate Software (Nasdaq: ULTI), a leading cloud provider of people management solutions, today announced that it ranked among the top 100 on this year’s InformationWeek 500 — a list of the top technology innovators in the U.S.

“The program has created synergies, increased creative output, and built motivation and collaboration within our teams.”

The annual list was revealed last night at a gala awards ceremony at the InformationWeek 500 Conference, which took place at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, CA. This was Ultimate’s first year applying for and being named to the exclusive list.

InformationWeek identifies and honors the most innovative users of information technology in the U.S. with its annual 500 listing as well as tracks the technology, strategies, investments, and administrative practices of America’s best-known companies. Past companies ranked in the Top 100 have included FedEx, Intuit, Marriott International, Monster Worldwide, Dell, Verizon Wireless, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Salesforce.com, and Google. The InformationWeek 500 ranking is unique among corporate rankings as it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

“To be successful in today’s technology climate, we must constantly innovate,” said Adam Rogers, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Ultimate Software. “We work very hard to continually reinvent ourselves and introduce leading-edge technology innovation into our strategy, products, and services, so we are extremely honored to receive this validation and recognition of our efforts from InformationWeek.”

One of the successes featured in Ultimate Software’s submission was a unique technology initiative called “48 Hours,” which is based on sharing concepts within a collaborative environment and facilitating the emergence of new innovation within a specific period of time. Employees, working as teams or as individuals, have two full days to develop an idea of their choice without restrictions, and then present them in a showcase that is open to all Ultimate employees. Participants then vote on their favorite concept. Many ideas that have grown from the 48 Hours initiative either have been implemented directly or have inspired other successful ideas.

“Our 48 Hours program has resulted in many innovative ideas that are yielding measureable benefits for Ultimate’s business as well as for Ultimate’s customers,” said Rogers. “The program has created synergies, increased creative output, and built motivation and collaboration within our teams.”

“The InformationWeek 500 has recognized the most innovative users of business technology for 24 years, and this year’s innovations were particularly impressive,” said InformationWeek Editor In Chief Rob Preston. “What the editors looked for are unconventional approaches — new technologies, new models, new ways of grabbing business opportunities and solving complex business problems with IT.”

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found at www.informationweek.com/iw500.

About InformationWeek Business Technology Network

The InformationWeek Business Technology Network provides IT executives with unique analysis and tools that parallel their work flow — from defining and framing objectives through to the evaluation and recommendation of solutions. Anchored by InformationWeek, the multimedia powerhouse that looks across the enterprise, the network scales across the most critical technology categories with online properties such as DarkReading.com (security), NetworkComputing.com (networking and communications) and BYTE (consumer technology). The network also provides focused content for key IT targets, such as CIOs, developers and SMBs, via InformationWeek Global CIO, Dr. Dobb's and InformationWeek SMB, as well as vital vertical industries with InformationWeek Financial Services, Government and Healthcare sites. Content is at the nucleus of our information distribution strategy — IT professionals turn to our experts and communities to stay informed, get advice and research technologies to make strategic business decisions.

About Ultimate Software

Ultimate is a leading SaaS provider of people management solutions, with more than 7 million people records in the cloud. Built on the belief that people are the most important ingredient of any business, Ultimate's award-winning UltiPro delivers HR, payroll, and talent management solutions that seamlessly connect people with the information and resources they need to work more effectively. Founded in 1990, the company is headquartered in Weston, Florida, and has more than 1,500 professionals focused on developing the highest quality solutions and services. In 2012, Ultimate was ranked #25 on FORTUNE'S “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. Ultimate has more than 2,300 customers with employees in 115 countries, including Adobe Systems Incorporated, The Container Store, Culligan International, Major League Baseball, The New York Yankees Baseball Team, and Texas Roadhouse. More information on Ultimate's products and services for people management can be found at www.ultimatesoftware.com.

UltiPro is a registered trademark of The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. All other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

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