CASE STUDY

How BPM streamlined HR operations for OpenLight Photonics

Stacy Litteral • September 16, 2025

OpenLight Photonics is a world leader in custom PASIC (Photonic Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) chip design and manufacturing. Their integrated silicon photonics technology enables next-generation designs for cutting-edge applications. OpenLight has been a BPM client for more than two years.

Challenge: Growing payroll and HR headaches

OpenLight’s previous CFO was frustrated with their existing PEO vendor. The problems were basic but disruptive. Payroll wasn’t being processed on time – sometimes not at all. The CFO had no oversight of payroll processing, which meant she was often blindsided by issues. When payroll did run, it was frequently riddled with mistakes that required time-consuming corrections. To make matters worse, the costs kept climbing as the company grew to just over 50 employees.

For companies OpenLight’s size, PEOs often become expensive and difficult to manage, with diminishing returns on investment. As their former CFO put it, she “played an HR person on TV” but wasn’t equipped to handle all the HR complexities a growing tech company faces. The mounting operational challenges were starting to impact the company’s ability to focus on their core business.

Solution: Comprehensive HR transition

After meeting with OpenLight’s leadership, BPM spent six weeks analyzing their needs and demonstrating how we could handle their payroll and HR functions more effectively – and for less money than they were paying their PEO. Rather than rushing into changes, we took the time to understand their unique requirements as a specialized technology company.

Six-month transition process

We transitioned everything from their PEO system over six months, taking a methodical approach to ensure nothing fell through the cracks. The process began with payroll administration, establishing consistent and accurate processing that OpenLight could rely on. We simultaneously took over their HR functions, bringing compliance expertise and dedicated employee support that had been lacking. Benefits management became streamlined, with better coverage options and simplified administration that reduced confusion for both leadership and employees. We also implemented stock administration for their equity compensation programs, ensuring that this critical retention tool was properly managed.

The transition was designed to minimize disruption while improving service quality and reducing costs. Throughout the process, we maintained open communication with OpenLight’s leadership, providing regular updates and addressing concerns as they arose.

Results: Operational stability and growth readiness

Immediate improvements

OpenLight saw quick results across multiple areas that transformed their day-to-day operations. Most importantly, they gained reliable, error-free payroll processing that eliminated the stress and uncertainty that had plagued the company for months.

The overall HR costs dropped compared to what they were paying their PEO, freeing up resources for business growth. Leadership finally had the oversight and control they needed, with clear visibility into HR processes and costs. The streamlined benefits and HR administration reduced administrative burden on the entire team.

Long-term benefits

The partnership positioned OpenLight for sustainable growth in ways that extend far beyond immediate cost savings. The scalability built into our HR infrastructure means the company can grow without added complexity or the need to overhaul their systems again.

This gives leadership genuine peace of mind, allowing them to focus on strategic priorities like product development and market expansion rather than getting bogged down in operational issues. Perhaps most importantly, the fractional HR partnership model allows companies like OpenLight to scale more smoothly, with professional HR support that adapts to their changing needs without the overhead of building an entire internal HR department.

There is nothing more rewarding than working with caring, exceptional people, which I get to do with each of you. I am incredibly grateful for your continued partnership and support. … You make my work life soooo much easier and I have learned so much about the HR world from you this year. I feel very blessed.“
– Rosie Nguyen, former CEO.

How BPM supports growing companies

OpenLight’s success illustrates the value of comprehensive HR outsourcing for companies ready to scale. Many businesses reach a point where managing HR internally becomes inefficient, but PEOs are too expensive or restrictive.

Complete HR function support

BPM provides full-service HR solutions that adapt to your company’s specific needs:

Payroll and benefits administration

Accurate, timely payroll processing with full oversight
Benefits enrollment and ongoing administration
Compliance with federal and state payroll regulations
Employee self-service portals for transparency

Strategic HR partnership

Policy development and employee handbook creation
Performance management system implementation
Recruitment and onboarding support
Training and development program guidance

Compliance and risk management

Employment law compliance monitoring
Workers’ compensation administration
Safety program development and oversight
Documentation and record-keeping systems

Specialized services

Stock administration and equity compensation management
Executive compensation planning
Organizational development consulting
HR technology integration and optimization

The fractional advantage

Unlike PEOs that follow one-size-fits-all approaches, BPM’s fractional HR model scales with your business. You get dedicated support without the overhead of full-time HR staff, plus the flexibility to adjust services as your needs evolve.

This approach works particularly well for companies with 50-200 employees who have outgrown basic HR needs but aren’t ready for a full internal HR department. You maintain control over your company culture and decision-making while getting professional HR support.

For companies like OpenLight operating in specialized industries, having HR partners who understand your unique challenges – from equity compensation to compliance requirements – makes the difference between surviving and thriving during growth phases.

Is your current HR setup holding back your growth? Contact BPM to discuss how our fractional HR services can streamline your operations and support your company’s expansion.