Transforming HR Operations at Pierson with Fuse Workforce

For companies like Pierson, a leading provider of professional audio, video, and lighting solutions, HR operations can quickly become complex. Managing payroll for multi-state projects, adhering to prevailing wage rules, and keeping track of hours across diverse teams requires precision, and without the right tools, the process can be overwhelming. Mary Wagster, HR Specialist at Pierson, remembers the chaos all too well.

“Before Fuse, everything was reactive. We were scrambling constantly, trying to figure out how the system worked,” Mary recalls. “With Rippling, we often went weeks without responses from our system specialist. I had to build processes myself, almost blindly.”

Pierson had previously relied on a UKG Ready provider, which worked fairly well, but when that platform was acquired and replaced by a less capable system, Pierson faced a critical choice. Mary and Jennifer Nauss, Director of HR, needed a solution that could handle their complex requirements while empowering their team to be self-sufficient.

Enter Fuse Workforce. The difference was immediately clear. “Fuse gave us the keys to the kingdom,” Mary says. “We have the same level of permissions as the Fuse team. They foster an environment where we learn, not just follow instructions.”

The impact on operations was dramatic. Previously, manual tasks like onboarding, payroll calculations, and reporting are now automated, giving Pierson’s HR team more time to focus on strategic priorities. “Creating automated reports has been a huge efficiency gain,” Mary explains.

 “There were columns and functions we didn’t even know existed. Fuse showed us how to maximize the system.” 

One particularly complex area was prevailing wage compliance for employees working on stadium, K-12, university, and municipal projects across multiple states. “These rules are incredibly detailed, different pay rates for different shifts, daily and weekly overtime, and specific rules per location,” Mary says. “Beckie at Fuse helped us build formulas and rules that practically eliminated manual calculations. I’m blown away by what the system can handle.”

Recruiting and onboarding have also seen significant improvements. Pierson’s team can now use dynamic workflows to tailor new hire checklists based on location, rehire status, or role. “Before, all of this was manual. Now, employees can even self-manage much of the process,” Mary notes. The applicant tracking system, integrated seamlessly into HR workflows, reduces errors and ensures data flows accurately from application to hire.

Leadership visibility has improved as well. Managers can access the information they need without compromising sensitive data, thanks to customized group settings. “Our managers can run reports across departments while only seeing the data relevant to them. It’s a huge time saver for everyone,” Mary adds.

Fuse’s implementation process further distinguishes them from other providers. Unlike previous experiences, where project plans were incomplete or implementation specialists would change mid-project, Fuse’s team delivered a comprehensive plan with weekly progress calls. “It was the most organized, low-stress implementation we’ve ever done,” Mary says.

From day one, the system and Fuse’s support have enhanced HR operations, reduced errors, and increased adoption across the company. Employees now navigate the system intuitively, and Pierson’s HR team can focus on higher-level strategic initiatives. “We’ve taken chaos out of the equation,” Mary summarizes. “Everything runs smoothly, and if a hiccup occurs, the Fuse team is immediately on it.”

For Pierson, Fuse Workforce isn’t just a vendor; it’s a partner that empowers HR, optimizes workflows, and ensures complex operations run flawlessly, all while giving the team confidence and control over their systems.