Unleashing the Power of Payroll Connectivity: An Interview with Atomic’s CEO, Jordan Wright

The Atomic team recently attended the UNLEASH conference in Las Vegas, where we had the opportunity to connect with HR industry professionals and debuted our EmployerLink solutions suite. Amidst the conference buzz, our Co-founder and CEO, Jordan Wright, sat down with the UNLEASH team to discuss all things payroll connectivity. In this article, we will delve into the insightful conversation that revolved around Atomic’s mission, Jordan’s vision for future technological advancements, and what sets us apart from other payroll connectivity solutions. Read on to explore the key highlights from this Q&A session.

Q: What does Atomic do?**

Let’s keep this one very simple: Atomic builds payroll integrations.

Q: Since the pandemic what trends have you seen emerge in payroll?**

Since the pandemic, we have noticed several emerging trends that might have occurred naturally. One significant trend is the increasing demand for earned wage access, allowing employees access to their earnings before the regular payroll cycle. Another trend is the shift towards more frequent digital access to payroll, with virtual solutions replacing on-site or on-premise systems.

Q: What can you tell us about the payroll connectivity and HR connection? Will these 2 functions be more in-sync in the future?**

JW:  Access to data is critical for HRIS companies, whether they are trying to access their own data or trying to onboard benefits through the HRIS system. Our connectivity solutions aim to bridge these gaps, enabling companies to streamline processes and establish real-time connections during the onboarding phase. For example, a new 401K provider can gain immediate access to various HR and payroll platforms through us, avoiding the need to individually build relationships with each system.

Q: Tell us about EmployerLink solutions and what its addition to your solutions suite means for Atomic and your customers?**

Today, at the Unleash conference, we announced our new product called EmployerLink. This solution complements our existing UserLink product, which allows consumers to access their personal payroll information. EmployerLink, on the other hand, facilitates connectivity to the administrative side of payroll systems, enabling tasks like reading and writing benefits and managing employee roster information. By providing this connectivity, we empower employers to perform administrative functions via API, enhancing their overall experience.

Q: Atomic started out by catering to fintech and financial institutions. Why expand to HR?**

We initially entered the traditional financial services space, assisting consumers in redirecting their paychecks when switching banks. Through collaborations with major financial institutions, we streamlined the process of changing direct deposit. As we gained momentum in the consumer sector, we recognized a similar need for companies to access their own data or the need to access the HRIS data for an entire organization. Worker’s compensation played a pivotal role in leading us towards administrative connectivity.

Q: What benefit is there to having both user permissioned and employer permissioned access to payroll systems?**

When we initially launched our product, we focused on enabling consumers to update their direct deposit and verify their income and employment. These functionalities are valuable for various EmployerLink use cases as well. For example, when dealing with worker’s compensation policies, we require access to employee information and compensation data. Simultaneously, individual employees need access to their personal data when filing worker’s comp claims or performing similar tasks. By catering to both user and employer permissions, we provide comprehensive solutions that address the needs of both parties.

Q: How can benefits solutions providers use EmployerLink?**

EmployerLink offers significant advantages for solutions providers in the benefits industry. These providers often need to deduct contributions from employees’ paychecks for benefit programs like pet insurance or health insurance. Our connectivity solutions allow seamless integration with HR and payroll systems, ensuring efficient deduction management. By leveraging EmployerLink, benefits providers can avoid lengthy implementation processes and achieve their objectives within a few months of launching their services.

Q: How do you see Atomic’s technology advancing over the next three years**

Over the next few years, our primary focus will be expanding and enhancing connectivity with payroll systems from an administrative perspective. We will continue to grow our connectivity offerings, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of systems. Additionally, we have a strong emphasis on machine learning for authentication, which has already proven successful in connecting with various systems. We will further develop and refine this machine learning component to improve our connectivity capabilities with HRIS systems and explore opportunities for expansion beyond that domain.

Q: What sets Atomic apart from other payroll connectivity solutions?**

Atomic stands out in the competitive landscape due to several key factors. Firstly, our Uplink technology eliminates the need for password exchange, ensuring secure access to systems without compromising sensitive information. Secondly, our machine learning component surpasses industry standards and has significantly improved conversion rates during system authentication. Lastly, we anticipate increased data accessibility in the future, leveraging advanced technologies like large language models. This allows us to gain valuable insights from payroll systems and provide enhanced connectivity solutions to our customers.

Interested in learning more about Atomic?

Visit our solutions page to learn more about our EmployerLink solutions visit orbook time with our team here.