[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":614},["ShallowReactive",2],{"resource-stax-ai-vs-7-simple-machines-dynamis-7sm":3},{"page":4,"related":592},{"id":5,"published":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"subtitle":9,"date":10,"author":11,"tag":16,"thumbnail":20,"hideMenu":22,"sections":23,"guide":578,"video":578,"footerBanner":579,"seo":587},"aBpCTL63SLq42ARNeAHlaA","2025-08-25T17:14:30-07:00","Stax.ai vs. 7SM Dynamis: Payroll and Census Automation for TPAs","stax-ai-vs-7-simple-machines-dynamis-7sm","A detailed comparison of Stax.ai and 7 Simple Machines Dynamis for TPAs—cost, sponsor experience, integrations, and why unified platforms are the future.","2025-08-25",{"name":12,"slug":13,"photo":14},"Naru Muraleedharan","naru-muraleedharan",{"src":15},"https://www.datocms-assets.com/146548/1738890515-dsc09713.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=200&q=85&w=200",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},"earEvNRYSlKQgL9tSNI89g","Blog","blog",{"src":21},"https://www.datocms-assets.com/146548/1756166435-chatgpt-image-aug-25-2025-04_59_59-pm.png?auto=format&fit=max&h=600&w=600",false,[24,78,111,213,299,438,477,528,558],{"id":25,"slug":26,"title":27,"content":28},"SYdmkAzIRgKV9IZ4yA3NJg","the-new-wave-of-payroll-integration-tools","The New Wave of Payroll Integration Tools",{"value":29,"blocks":77},{"schema":30,"document":31},"dast",{"type":32,"children":33},"root",[34,40,45,49,69],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":37},"heading",2,[38],{"type":39,"value":27},"span",{"type":41,"children":42},"paragraph",[43],{"type":39,"value":44},"Payroll automation is one of the hottest topics in retirement plan administration.",{"type":41,"children":46},[47],{"type":39,"value":48},"RPCs/TPAs know the pain of chasing payroll data, cleaning census files, and wrestling with mismatched formats. It’s no surprise that new tools are emerging to address this challenge.",{"type":41,"children":50},[51,53,57,59,62,64,67],{"type":39,"value":52},"One of the newest entrants is ",{"type":39,"marks":54,"value":56},[55],"strong","7 Simple Machines’ Dynamis",{"type":39,"value":58},". Dynamis is designed to help PensionPro users pipe payroll data from ",{"type":39,"marks":60,"value":61},[55],"Finch",{"type":39,"value":63}," or ",{"type":39,"marks":65,"value":66},[55],"Payroll Integrations LLC",{"type":39,"value":68}," into their workflows. It’s gaining traction because it promises to make a painful process easier.",{"type":41,"children":70},[71,73],{"type":39,"value":72},"But here’s the critical question every COO, VP of Operations, or firm owner should ask: ",{"type":39,"marks":74,"value":76},[75],"emphasis","does it go far enough, and at what cost? What risks does it introduce?",[],{"id":79,"slug":80,"title":81,"content":82},"EEIA4FwuQQK7yjTkUw4SKQ","what-dynamis-offers-tpas","What Dynamis Offers TPAs",{"value":83,"blocks":110},{"schema":30,"document":84},{"type":32,"children":85},[86,89,93,102,106],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":87},[88],{"type":39,"value":81},{"type":41,"children":90},[91],{"type":39,"value":92},"Dynamis’ pitch is straightforward. If you’re already a PensionPro shop, Dynamis can take data from Finch or PI and pass it into your system, where it can be used to generate and scrub census data. For TPAs locked into PensionPro, that sounds appealing.",{"type":41,"children":94},[95,97,100],{"type":39,"value":96},"They’ve also boosted their credibility with a ",{"type":39,"marks":98,"value":99},[55],"partnership announcement with PensionPro",{"type":39,"value":101}," and co-sponsorship of workshops, which has raised visibility.",{"type":41,"children":103},[104],{"type":39,"value":105},"For some TPAs, that’s enough to give it a look.",{"type":41,"children":107},[108],{"type":39,"value":109},"It means that if you are stuck with your current CRM and don't see a path to upgrade your operations, then it doesn't require a \"rip-and-replace\". Or so it seems...",[],{"id":112,"slug":113,"title":114,"content":115},"Yxutxce6RU2u0-8ZTvPxJg","where-dynamis-falls-short","Where Dynamis Falls Short",{"value":116,"blocks":212},{"schema":30,"document":117},{"type":32,"children":118},[119,122,126,130,199,208],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":120},[121],{"type":39,"value":114},{"type":41,"children":123},[124],{"type":39,"value":125},"The reality is more complicated.",{"type":41,"children":127},[128],{"type":39,"value":129},"Dynamis only solves a narrow slice of the payroll integration puzzle, and introduces its own tradeoffs:",{"type":131,"style":132,"children":133},"list","bulleted",[134,144,153,167,176,190],{"type":135,"children":136},"listItem",[137],{"type":41,"children":138},[139,142],{"type":39,"marks":140,"value":141},[55],"Multiple subscriptions required",{"type":39,"value":143},": You still need to separately pay for Finch or Payroll Integrations, and PensionPro.",{"type":135,"children":145},[146],{"type":41,"children":147},[148,151],{"type":39,"marks":149,"value":150},[55],"Costly stack",{"type":39,"value":152},": PensionPro + Finch/PI + 7SM Dynamis quickly becomes more expensive than an all-in-one solution.",{"type":135,"children":154},[155],{"type":41,"children":156},[157,160,162,165],{"type":39,"marks":158,"value":159},[55],"Limited scope",{"type":39,"value":161},": Dynamis mainly handles ",{"type":39,"marks":163,"value":164},[55],"12/31 plan year end (PYE) plans",{"type":39,"value":166},", leaving off-calendar year plans unsupported.",{"type":135,"children":168},[169],{"type":41,"children":170},[171,174],{"type":39,"marks":172,"value":173},[55],"No adoption agreement mapping",{"type":39,"value":175},": Stax.ai automatically maps data to provisions; Dynamis does not.",{"type":135,"children":177},[178],{"type":41,"children":179},[180,183,185,188],{"type":39,"marks":181,"value":182},[55],"Fragmented portals",{"type":39,"value":184},": Sponsors must log into ",{"type":39,"marks":186,"value":187},[75],"yet another portal",{"type":39,"value":189}," for payroll connections—then still use PensionPro’s PlanSponsorLink for tasks, and FTWilliam/ASC for compliance.",{"type":135,"children":191},[192],{"type":41,"children":193},[194,197],{"type":39,"marks":195,"value":196},[55],"Short track record",{"type":39,"value":198},": As a newer entrant, Dynamis doesn’t yet have the proven trust in the TPA industry that more established partners do.",{"type":41,"children":200},[201,203,206],{"type":39,"value":202},"For TPAs trying to simplify their stack, Dynamis risks creating ",{"type":39,"marks":204,"value":205},[75],"more fragmentation, not less",{"type":39,"value":207},".",{"type":41,"children":209},[210],{"type":39,"value":211},"This is completely contradictory to our ethos and vision.",[],{"id":214,"slug":215,"title":216,"content":217},"XOG5TvJ-SUCCfTi06TagKA","how-stax-ai-does-it-differently","How Stax.ai Does It Differently",{"value":218,"blocks":298},{"schema":30,"document":219},{"type":32,"children":220},[221,224,233],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":222},[223],{"type":39,"value":216},{"type":41,"children":225},[226,228,231],{"type":39,"value":227},"Stax.ai CX was built as a ",{"type":39,"marks":229,"value":230},[55],"unified platform",{"type":39,"value":232},"—not a patchwork of integrations. That means:",{"type":131,"style":132,"children":234},[235,244,253,262,271,280,289],{"type":135,"children":236},[237],{"type":41,"children":238},[239,242],{"type":39,"marks":240,"value":241},[55],"No extra subscriptions.",{"type":39,"value":243}," Payroll integration and census automation are built in.",{"type":135,"children":245},[246],{"type":41,"children":247},[248,251],{"type":39,"marks":249,"value":250},[55],"Cheaper overall.",{"type":39,"value":252}," TPAs don’t pay for PensionPro, Finch/PI, and 7SM separately.",{"type":135,"children":254},[255],{"type":41,"children":256},[257,260],{"type":39,"marks":258,"value":259},[55],"All plan years supported.",{"type":39,"value":261}," Stax.ai automates mapping and scrub for off-calendar plans too.",{"type":135,"children":263},[264],{"type":41,"children":265},[266,269],{"type":39,"marks":267,"value":268},[55],"Adoption agreement automation.",{"type":39,"value":270}," Stax.ai maps plan provisions automatically, reducing errors.",{"type":135,"children":272},[273],{"type":41,"children":274},[275,278],{"type":39,"marks":276,"value":277},[55],"One sponsor portal.",{"type":39,"value":279}," Payroll, census, tasks, 5500 signing, secure messaging—everything in one experience.",{"type":135,"children":281},[282],{"type":41,"children":283},[284,287],{"type":39,"marks":285,"value":286},[55],"Deeper automation.",{"type":39,"value":288}," From recurring plan events to reporting dashboards, it’s a CRM + workflow engine, not just a connector.",{"type":135,"children":290},[291],{"type":41,"children":292},[293,296],{"type":39,"marks":294,"value":295},[55],"Proven partner.",{"type":39,"value":297}," With years of focus on TPAs, Stax.ai is trusted by the industry.",[],{"id":300,"slug":301,"title":302,"content":303},"Xm6uHdHtQxmepGAs4PD63A","stax-ai-vs-7sm-dynamis-feature-comparison","Stax.ai vs 7SM Dynamis: Feature Comparison",{"value":304,"blocks":313},{"schema":30,"document":305},{"type":32,"children":306},[307,310],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":308},[309],{"type":39,"value":302},{"item":311,"type":312},"RBSR9AzFS-uSjWixESwN_w","block",[314],{"type":315,"id":311,"items":316,"source":437},"table_block",[317,357,397],{"id":318,"title":319,"items":320},"YhBbUUEoRoexcm9bDIX5rQ","Feature/Capability",[321,324,327,330,333,336,339,342,345,348,351,354],{"id":322,"text":323},"NXIEdxfpQK6JrlnBMQFJOg","Payroll Integrations",{"id":325,"text":326},"b6J_pwfCR0WbI3-Rb5ZutA","Supported Payroll Providers",{"id":328,"text":329},"MfmH-_0_SNu2wmqLF2WsKA","Exclusions/Compensation Definition",{"id":331,"text":332},"Ck-5N8Z5SWGxamE1quFf3w","Census Scrubbing",{"id":334,"text":335},"MdMyU5UzQa-Y9kcaN91Z1Q","Plan Year Ends Supported",{"id":337,"text":338},"deTA3liMR7-hfB_VzOu61g","Plan Sponsor Portal",{"id":340,"text":341},"XaYGjW6_T2-iyQtJc4RInQ","CRM & Workflow",{"id":343,"text":344},"JAZE7fnvRlWBOZhw9GjAUw","Compliance Integrations",{"id":346,"text":347},"GORUXhrsQdGNRJRR0YOXag","External CRM integrations",{"id":349,"text":350},"B8-VFuTFSCSEpvrC6hQ_kg","Cost Structure",{"id":352,"text":353},"a3cBtkb7QgCJG8DqRM5BTg","Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)",{"id":355,"text":356},"L-ySID1lSCyQAGPxlWrf3w","Industry Experience",{"id":358,"title":359,"items":360},"G3OLGVHSQTKXbNivaxeDPA","Stax.ai CX",[361,364,367,370,373,376,379,382,385,388,391,394],{"id":362,"text":363},"Q0G_8WhnR_KmFW7HpP_R5g","✅ Built-in/Included (API and Assisted)",{"id":365,"text":366},"RUdYykfORQ2UQJjP0K5syw","✅ 99%+ between integrations and native report uploads",{"id":368,"text":369},"Dc1OfLg7RIapaYPZCBsIUg","✅ Payroll data automatically mapped against adoption agreement",{"id":371,"text":372},"XAza_kpFTBSiVRdmv7fpQQ","✅ Automated validation + Client review process",{"id":374,"text":375},"eZkU9C3vSWmaIvUnkjIGGg","✅ All PYEs (12/31 and off-calendar)",{"id":377,"text":378},"aix6YkTXQdmzuFbsD8-k8w","✅ Unified portal for payroll, census, tasks, 5500",{"id":380,"text":381},"Ccw-SsF6T-iZ18yT601dYw","✅ Full CRM + tasking + reporting",{"id":383,"text":384},"GfGs9Nc4SJC-rl0tT1T3iw","✅ Export to FTWilliam.com, ASC, Datair/Calcair, Relius",{"id":386,"text":387},"eehSjmlLRXijiz5QFphVKQ","⚠️ None/CX is a comprehensive CRM for TPAs",{"id":389,"text":390},"G4yC-FM3SOmIKYECgfDG4g","✅ Single subscription (all-in-one)",{"id":392,"text":393},"QE4YKELsRZqzIXcDV76qFQ","✅ Approx. 50-70% of 7SM/Dynamis",{"id":395,"text":396},"RDKJjKCyR9O8D4gzLsDEFQ","✅ Established, trusted partner",{"id":398,"title":399,"items":400},"WP5Gn2IeRAyxxHAvtm5NIA","7SM Dynamis",[401,404,407,410,413,416,419,422,425,428,431,434],{"id":402,"text":403},"VLp9PrtZQMuCGnyI_CEyZw","❌ Requires separate Finch and/or PI subscription",{"id":405,"text":406},"SdXtdOmjQRuEp4zI4lQ2gQ","⚠️ Estd. ~46% of total market via Finch and PI",{"id":408,"text":409},"MRVY_v9dSsqvbfmFMlFRZg","⚠️ Require payroll field mapping by TPA/Plan Sponsors",{"id":411,"text":412},"PSxMdAlYRhuFDAsXyzaD2w","⚠️ Limited rule-based scrubbing",{"id":414,"text":415},"ToXx9mtuQSaDFw7R_1gjgg","❌ 12/31 PYE only",{"id":417,"text":418},"MC9-FuP6Rxu2StsY1fjXUg","❌ Separate payroll portal + PlanSponsorLink + FTW/ASC",{"id":420,"text":421},"HkX_qx2WQBSTAlvQ8Zq4lQ","❌ Relies on PensionPro CRM",{"id":423,"text":424},"HogwyTHSSn2XY6pj63504Q","⚠️ Requires external PensionPro linkages to FTW/ASC",{"id":426,"text":427},"YwF-YgM_RqWNqQL-Nimamg","⚠️ Integrates with PensionPro",{"id":429,"text":430},"cblRhKLcR6asl4aBSmb0ZA","⚠️ PensionPro + Finch/PI + 7SM (3 vendors)",{"id":432,"text":433},"UuYT5SfSR6-za7V00nt6BA","❌ Approx. 1.5-2x of Stax.ai CX",{"id":435,"text":436},"Fux8eqoiTXmCXOOQXTK83Q","❌ Newer entrant, not proven - 2025 is the first plan year with full pipeline (census collection starts in 2026)","",{"id":439,"slug":440,"title":441,"content":442},"FD1worbRSW6GrvqbD7VHsw","the-all-or-nothing-myth","The All-or-Nothing Myth",{"value":443,"blocks":476},{"schema":30,"document":444},{"type":32,"children":445},[446,449,457],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":447},[448],{"type":39,"value":441},{"type":41,"children":450},[451,453,456],{"type":39,"value":452},"Some TPAs hesitate because they’ve heard Stax.ai is an “all-or-nothing” solution. That’s not true. We’ve worked with firms that kept their existing CRMs while using Stax.ai for ",{"type":39,"marks":454,"value":455},[55],"payroll and census automation",{"type":39,"value":207},{"type":41,"children":458},[459,461,475],{"type":39,"value":460},"That said, the firms who reevaluate their CRM usually discover they’re leaving value on the table. Today’s sponsor expectations are higher, and workflows are more complex. That’s why we recommend reading our ",{"url":462,"meta":463,"type":470,"children":471},"https://stax.ai/resources/best-crm-for-tpas",[464,467],{"id":465,"value":466},"rel","noopener",{"id":468,"value":469},"target","_blank","link",[472],{"type":39,"marks":473,"value":474},[55],"Best CRM for TPAs guide",{"type":39,"value":207},[],{"id":478,"slug":479,"title":480,"content":481},"dcLKQE89QLq9aVfMYCmtiQ","the-roi-and-plan-sponsor-experience-case","The ROI and Plan Sponsor Experience Case",{"value":482,"blocks":527},{"schema":30,"document":483},{"type":32,"children":484},[485,488,492,523],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":486},[487],{"type":39,"value":480},{"type":41,"children":489},[490],{"type":39,"value":491},"Switching systems isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about how sponsors feel. Across Stax.ai migrations:",{"type":131,"style":132,"children":493},[494,503,512],{"type":135,"children":495},[496],{"type":41,"children":497},[498,500],{"type":39,"value":499},"Client satisfaction improved by ",{"type":39,"marks":501,"value":502},[55],"29% within 90 days of implementation.",{"type":135,"children":504},[505],{"type":41,"children":506},[507,510],{"type":39,"marks":508,"value":509},[55],"89% of surveyed plan sponsors",{"type":39,"value":511}," said they preferred the upgraded CX Client Portal over the prior year (mix of PlanSponsorLink, FTW portal, etc.).",{"type":135,"children":513},[514],{"type":41,"children":515},[516,518,521],{"type":39,"value":517},"Sponsors also said their relationships with ",{"type":39,"marks":519,"value":520},[55],"both advisors and TPAs improved",{"type":39,"value":522}," after the upgrade.",{"type":41,"children":524},[525],{"type":39,"value":526},"This isn’t just IT—it’s a client retention and growth decision.",[],{"id":529,"slug":530,"title":531,"content":532},"eHhJcsLRSsSmcTWZsF12LQ","ready-to-see-for-yourself","Ready to See for Yourself?",{"value":533,"blocks":557},{"schema":30,"document":534},{"type":32,"children":535},[536,539,543],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":537},[538],{"type":39,"value":531},{"type":41,"children":540},[541],{"type":39,"value":542},"Want to know what your client portal would look like on Stax.ai?",{"type":41,"children":544},[545,547,556],{"type":39,"value":546},"Try our ",{"url":548,"meta":549,"type":470,"children":552},"https://demo.cx.stax.ai/cp/render",[550,551],{"id":465,"value":466},{"id":468,"value":469},[553],{"type":39,"marks":554,"value":555},[55],"self-serve demo tool",{"type":39,"value":207},[],{"id":559,"slug":560,"title":561,"content":562},"fD3UwIBQQb-wRnDy4XcEWQ","the-bottom-line","The Bottom Line",{"value":563,"blocks":577},{"schema":30,"document":564},{"type":32,"children":565},[566,569,573],{"type":35,"level":36,"children":567},[568],{"type":39,"value":561},{"type":41,"children":570},[571],{"type":39,"value":572},"Dynamis fills a gap for PensionPro users, but it comes with hidden costs, extra vendors, and fragmented sponsor experiences. Stax.ai delivers the same payroll automation—and much more—in a single, unified platform that TPAs and sponsors love.",{"type":41,"children":574},[575],{"type":39,"value":576},"If you’re considering your next move, don’t just patch holes. Consider a platform built for the future of retirement plan administration.",[],null,{"id":580,"title":581,"text":582,"link":583},"UgP-Ln18RwWO0r3AMFqzbw","Talk With a TPA Tech Expert","\u003Cp>Learn how Stax.ai can simplify payroll, census, compliance, and sponsor experience in one system&mdash;without extra vendors or portals.\u003C/p>",{"id":584,"label":585,"internal":578,"external":586,"menuImage":578},"EMs1uC0pRCW-1jCqYz8X4Q","Book a Call","https://stax.ai/talk",{"title":588,"description":589,"image":590},"Stax.ai vs 7SM Dynamis | Best Payroll & CRM Choice for TPAs","Compare Stax.ai and 7SM Dynamis for TPAs. Discover cost differences, sponsor experience, integrations, and why TPAs prefer Stax.ai’s all-in-one solution.",{"url":591},"https://www.datocms-assets.com/146548/1756158649-chatgpt-image-aug-25-2025-02_50_19-pm.png",[593,602],{"id":594,"published":595,"title":596,"slug":597,"date":598,"hide":22,"tag":599,"thumbnail":600,"guide":578},"IDQ63DImQcKv3kj5UYncWg","2025-05-16T11:52:35-07:00","Personalized Services are The Secret Weapon for TPAs in a One-Size-Fits-None World","personalized-services-are-the-secret-weapon-for-tpas-in-a-one-size-fits-none-world","2025-05-14",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"src":601},"https://www.datocms-assets.com/146548/1754950324-idq63dimqckv3kj5uyncwg.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=600&w=600",{"id":603,"published":604,"title":605,"slug":606,"date":607,"hide":22,"tag":608,"thumbnail":612,"guide":578},"S3UN64e3Qg2G15TXcPMuhQ","2025-03-14T09:16:22-07:00","Hard Questions: A Math Nerd Finds Easy Answers","hard-questions-a-math-nerd-finds-easy-answers","2025-03-14",{"id":609,"name":610,"slug":611},"J7W5I_jkQtCaSYawW3mhuA","Case study","case-study",{"src":613},"https://www.datocms-assets.com/146548/1754948345-s3un64e3qg2g15txcpmuhq.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=600&w=600",1774905077255]