StoneRiver Reviews

Pros

Pay is pretty good and the people are good to work with. In my particular case I can work from home a lot, but they aren't allowing that as much any more. The technology is ok to work with for the most part.

Cons

Large enterprise issues like complete hard drive encryption that slows the machines substantially. Work isn't too challenging and there isn't a lot of room for creativity. No Macs allowed. The management talks of Best in Class software, but it isn't supported from top to bottom. E.g., we must use IBM Rational Functional Tester even though developers and QA all dislike it. We have to use ClearCase even though nobody likes it. We say we want best in class, but look to develop mobile solutions that are lowest common denominator-driven for ease of cross platform development (iOS & Android). There isn't a EVP of Product Design, which I believe is required if you want best in class products.

Pros

Ability to work from home on occassion, great benefit Competitive pay Great benefits including healthcare Very nice people to work with Friendly managers which makes one feel valued

Cons

Limited advancement potential Currently no bonuses or raises due to poor business performance Poor and declining employee morale, alot of turnover of senior employees Open cube work environment, very noisy and distracting when working

Pros

I can only speak for my specific business unit and my specific department, but I would say that my job seems stable, and the employees are not mistreated (I should know I have been in some really bad companies previously). The new corporate structure is more like the way Fiserv used to be and the business units have more freedom than under Fiserv corporate. The new benefit package is really nice, I was very impressed.

Cons

Due to the small size of business units and independence of those business units advancement does not come easily. When poor managers are promoted it takes for ever to correct the problem and many times restructuring is done without fully understanding the consequences of those changes.

Pros

The people - dedicated to success of their customers and a sprit de corp of willing to help each other to that end. A team educated and experienced in the insurance industry that applies their skills to the success of their customers and each other. StoneRiver has a dedication to their existing clients while focused on developing products that insurers need in the future for competitive advantage and profit improvement

Cons

Areas of improvement may be in the communication internally and externally of the successes and vision of the company. Meetings to communicate to employees are focused on an annual or bi-annual basis as a total group. More communications that bring people/teams togehter face to face more often would be helpful even if on a smaller basis.

Pros

This company has a competitive product set and is developing an improved set of products that can be updated as technology changes. There is a casual dress code and pay & benefits are on par with similar companies.

Cons

This company was formed by several mergers and seems to have problems more typical of a large bureaucracy. Management at times seems more concerned about making the next sale than whether the company has the infrastructure to support the customer needs. In fact, the company will make the sale first and then try to figure out how to fulfill the terms of the contract later. Also, it appears this company prefers to have H1B & offshore contractors instead of American employees. There have been several cases where American employees have been laid off, only to be replaced by non-American contract employees within 2 weeks. Management also tends to hold back important information until long after the employees need to know it, causing a near constant "fire-fighting" environment.

Pros

Covered parking... but cars get broken into.

Cons

The top management is basically not fit to run the company. They pretend to know everything but when someone tries to tell them they are wrong, they refuse to listen. They refuse to make any decision leaving the projects in limbo. If you are not their buddy, forget getting raises (even basic cost of living). Too much politics and projects are assigned to people who cannot even tie their shoe laces. Most of the management were buddies in their previous workplace and after one gets in here, he/she will bring the rest of them. Once they are in, each of them reward each other w/ bonuses and high pay. Most of the work is outsourced to India and the management of that task is horrible. Too many VPs and PMs in the company and once people get promoted, they quickly quit the company. Your manager does not perform your yearly evaluation, but the PM for the project does. Go figure!

Pros

Positive work environment. Quality employees who aren't afraid to work. Flexibility in hours, working from home, leaving for appointments etc. "Fun" events regularly. Hockey games, bingo, etc. Management is easy to talk to, accepts input. Take client feedback very seriously. Most software enhancements are received directly from our customer base.

Cons

Vacation is limited to 2 weeks to start. For someone who was at the same company for nearly 14 years, going from 4 weeks of vacation to two was a hard transition. While I made the jump anyway, I can see this keeping many people from seriously considering a position here.

Pros

-Pay was competitive -Most of the non-management was good to work with

Cons

-Benefits were not good -Only 2 weeks of vacation to start with, even for people with 5+ years of experience elsewhere. Then, can only carry over 5 days, which must be used by March. -Weak 401k match, and they give you their contribution in March of the following year instead of contributing to your account with every pay check. -Continuing to cut staff due to new goals and "outsourcing" -Management had no idea what I did day-to-day and sometimes I wouldn't even see or talk to my manager for 5-6 days at a time. -Certain hires get away with more if they know management. People take advantage of working from home or leave 2 hours early for a haircut appointment or take 2hr lunches while other team members are dedicated and take pride in actually working the hours they're supposed to be there.

Pros

Great Pay Good Benefits Nice Office with little perks, like bagels on Friday Interesting projects Very knowlegable staff in the Denver office

Cons

Horrible work life balance - they do not respect your personal time and often will ask you to travel on Saturdays and Sundays so you get more time in the office. I was actually asked to move a vacation too. Particularly in the Cincinnati and Cedar Rapids office people play favorites and are totally unprofessional. One manager in Cincinnati routinely insulted and talked down past employees in staff meetings. Totally unprofessional! Many manager very much play favorites and do not do a good job of treating all employees equally and fairly. It is an open joke that certain people can do as they please and others play by another set of rules. Totally unhelpful HR department. They are on the managers side. They will not help the worker.