Automatic Data Processing Inc. (NASD: ADP) acquired The Marcus Buckingham Company, a human capital management company. The deal brings ADP clients a more scientific approach to employee engagement and performance.

TMBC’s cloud-based performance and talent management solution, StandOut, couples applications with coaching and education to help team leaders improve employee performance. The solution will now be offered as ADP StandOut.

The transaction closed Jan. 13; terms were not disclosed.

All associates at The Marcus Buckingham Company, which has a global client roster spanning a range of industries, will join ADP. The brand will fold into ADP and founder Marcus Buckingham will serve as co-head of the ADP Research Institute.

Buckingham presented at Staffing Industry Executive Forum in Phoenix last year and has written bestsellers such as First, Break All the Rules and StandOut. He shared his thoughts on success and personal strengths in a Staffing Industry Review article.

“At its core, the strength and differentiation of any company lies in its talent,” said ADP President and CEO Carlos Rodriguez. “That is why we are continuing to invest in data-driven talent management solutions with the acquisition of TMBC. The company's technology and renowned research will add to our existing talent portfolio and puts ADP in a position to better serve the growing number of innovative organizations who are thinking differently about how they manage and engage their talent. We are thrilled to welcome both TMBC's associates and Marcus into the ADP family.”