PeopleDoc is a French company specialized in human resources solutions as Cloud services. Discover all you need to know about its history and software…
The French company PeopleDoc provides human resources solutions in a SaaS format (Software as a Service Cloud). As its name suggests, the platform mainly allows for the centralization of all HR-related documents from various sources and systems to simplify management.
PeopleDoc Solutions: Case Management, Vault, and Automation for HR
PeopleDoc has built its reputation on a suite of SaaS tools specifically designed to reduce the administrative burden of HR teams. First, there is its flagship product, Case Management.
This tool allows HR departments to interact with employees simply and swiftly, anytime and anywhere. Thanks to it, addressing complex employee queries has become straightforward, and tracking them is highly efficient.
Next, the HR Process Automation module is a true game changer for enhancing process agility. This essential tool automates repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Generally, this includes onboarding new talents, promotions, and internal transfers. Consequently, teams can focus on employee experience and engagement rather than tedious paperwork.
Lastly, the Employee File Management product centralizes and secures all employee records, ensuring flawless regulatory compliance. It comes with the MyPeopleDoc digital vault, ideal for delivering payslips and other legal documents directly to employees.
In short, this unique combination of solutions enables companies to significantly enhance their performance and HR services.
The History of PeopleDoc: From Novapost to Strategic Integration in UKG
The journey of PeopleDoc started in 2007 on the HEC campus when Jonathan Benhamou and Clément Buyse initially founded Novapost. Their original idea was to create a unified system for managing digital files, laying the groundwork for their future direction.
However, due to pressing demand, they swiftly pivoted in 2009 to specializing in Cloud HR solutions, while also assisting companies in their digital transformation.
This specialization led to exponential growth, marked by successive funding rounds and rapid international expansion, confirming its status as a promising scale-up. Ultimately, in 2018, the French company was acquired by the American Ultimate Software, which sought to enhance its service catalog and strengthen its presence in Europe.
Today, Ultimate Software has merged with Kronos in 2020 to form UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group). PeopleDoc serves as a fundamental technology component for this new global leader in human capital management. In fact, it directly contributes to the global deployment strategy of HR SaaS, combining its innovations with the power of UKG Pro.
The Acquisition by Ultimate Software
In 2018, PeopleDoc was acquired by another company specializing in HR solutions: Ultimate Software, which is publicly traded on NASDAQ. The American firm purchased PeopleDoc for $300 million in cash and stock.
This giant in HR software, founded in 1990 and publicly traded since 1998, is known for its UltiPro solution offered in SaaS since 2002. This platform allows for management of all aspects of human resources, from payroll to scheduling and employee performance.
Two reasons motivated Ultimate Software to acquire PeopleDoc. First, with this acquisition of the French startup, the American giant aims to expand internationally and attract new customers in Europe.
Moreover, knowing that the two companies do not offer exactly the same solutions, PeopleDoc helps enhance Ultimate Software’s catalog. The latter now distributes PeopleDoc’s services to its own clients.
Before its acquisition by Ultimate Software, PeopleDoc had approximately one thousand companies as clients, representing a total of 4 million employees. Now, it serves the 4,100 clients of Ultimate Software, representing around 38 million employees.
With Kronos, PeopleDoc and Ultimate Software Become UKG
In October 2020, Ultimate Software, which had already acquired PeopleDoc, merged with Kronos to form UKG. The Ultimate Kronos Group is led by American Aron Ain. The goal of the merger between these three entities is to deploy HR SaaS on a global scale.
To develop in Europe, UKG will leverage the clients of PeopleDoc and Kronos by integrating their technologies. In terms of human resources, the platform aims to support clients throughout their professional careers.
The group operates under the principle that people are the key to success for all organizations. By joining forces, these major market leaders enable their HR clients to thrive, enhance business outcomes, and optimize payment processes. According to the EMEA vice president, the group places greater emphasis on employees, allowing them to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
This merger has enabled UKG to amass 12,000 clients worldwide. By joining the group, PeopleDoc has contributed to generating annual revenues of $3 billion. In other words, the Ultimate Kronos Group is on its way to becoming a global leader in human resources management.
UKG Confirms Its Leadership Through AI and the Power of UKG Pro
In May 2025, UKG launched AI payroll agents (UKG Bryte payroll AI agents) for the UKG Pro and UKG Ready suites, aimed at increasing productivity and efficiency in payroll processes.
UKG’s AI solutions aim to optimize labor costs, improve employee engagement, streamline recruitment (with tools like Job Genius and Interview Guide), provide guidance to leaders (Leadership Actions), and personalize the experience for frontline workers (Frontline Insights).
Generation Z is particularly proactive in integrating AI into the workplace, highlighting the potential time-saving benefits, even if some managers do not yet fully grasp these advantages. Partnerships, such as the one with ServiceNow in May 2025, aim to enhance employee efficiency and productivity through AI agents.
FAQ
PeopleDoc was a French company specialized in human resources (HR) solutions in the form of Cloud services (SaaS – Software as a Service). Its platform provided a means to centralize, manage, and automate HR documents and processes.
PeopleDoc was founded in 2007 under the name Novapost by Jonathan Benhamou and Clément Buyse. Initially focused on digital file management, the company later specialized in Cloud HR solutions starting in 2009. It underwent several funding rounds and expanded internationally before being acquired.
As of October 2020, Ultimate Software (which acquired PeopleDoc) merged with Kronos to form UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group). PeopleDoc is now an integral part of UKG, contributing to its global human capital management (HCM) solutions.
