Filling the market-specific niche for protecting a “book of business” coupled with robust retention strategies, Milwaukee-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider Zywave recently upgraded its proprietary HRconnection, premiering new features designed to alleviate task management for entrepreneurs.

Among the latest features are “Millie,” a virtual assistant who guides employees through onboarding; electronic form preparation; automated task management for procedures such as performance reviews and policy confirmation; and special alerts and dashboards to keep administrators current on workflow.

“Agency owners and producers continue to feel pressure to take on a variety of HR-related responsibilities on behalf of their clients,” Zywave CEO Dave O’Brien said. “The increased demand for this level of service, coupled with emerging threats from direct-to-employer tech vendors, means that providing benefits administration, HR task management and enrollment support is critical to protecting a book of business and driving retention.”

When clients purchase HRconnection, they gain access to a bevy of benefits, including individual year-round consulting support and project management; first site-build services and data uploads; monthly training sessions, and marketing materials. HRconnection also allows paperless enrollment and additional support services.

“Our investment in HRconnection is a direct response to market demand, and the enhancements we’ve made enable brokers to position themselves as the HR companion that employers so desperately want, without adding more work to their already full plate,” O’Brien said.