Pillar by the numbers

Proven Results, Real Experience

Nearly a decade of hands-on database and integration work — not theory, but a track record you can point to.

10+

Years of industry experience

Deep roots in database solutions and staffing software

100+

Clients serviced

Businesses guided through onboarding, migrations, and ongoing data needs

25+

Full data migrations completed

End-to-end migrations delivered on time with data integrity intact

250+

Custom reports delivered

Tailored reporting solutions across diverse platforms and industries

1000s

Hours saved via SQL optimization

Ad hoc query tuning that puts time back in your end users' hands

1

Direct point of contact

From first call to final delivery, you work with Steve personally

What we do

Our Services

From performance tuning to full-scale migrations — Pillar handles the complexity so your team doesn't have to.

Database Development & Optimization

Custom database objects built to scale — with ongoing tuning to keep everything running at peak performance.

We design, build, and maintain custom database objects — stored procedures, views, functions, triggers, and indexes — tailored to your business workflows. Whether you need net-new development or a deep-dive performance review of an existing environment, we identify bottlenecks and implement lasting fixes, not band-aids. Get started with Pillar →

Custom Reporting & Analytics

Tailored reports and dashboards that put the right data in front of your team — built to your exact specifications.

We build reports your team will actually use. Starting from comprehensive templates and working directly with you through every revision, we deliver accurate, on-time reporting solutions — from simple operational reports to complex analytical dashboards — so the right data is always at your fingertips. Get started with Pillar →

Data Migration & Project Support

Tight deadline? Software switch or acquisition incoming? Pillar manages the full project so your team can focus on the transition.

Software switch, business acquisition, or a hard go-live deadline — we've been there. Pillar steps in to manage the full project lifecycle: scoping timelines, setting milestones, writing migration scripts, and keeping things on track so your team can focus on the transition, not the data. Get started with Pillar →

Tailored Data Solutions

Not every need fits a standard mold — from API integrations to automation and archiving, we build what your environment specifically requires.

Not every business need fits a standard mold. This is where we handle the rest:

API & FTP Integrations — Bridge your platforms and eliminate manual data entry between systems.

Automation — Scheduled jobs, triggered workflows, and validation routines that run reliably in the background so your team gets their time back.

Database Mirroring — No direct access to your production data? We mirror your environment locally so you can report and analyze freely.

Database Archiving — Offload aging records to a separate server, reduce bloat, and restore the performance your system used to have. Get started with Pillar →

Not sure where to start? Schedule a free consultation — no commitment, just a conversation.

Book a free call →

Why choose Pillar

The Right Fit for Growing Businesses

Pillar isn't a big firm with layers of account managers — it's a direct partnership with an experienced specialist who is personally invested in your outcome.

You always work directly with Steve

No account managers, no junior staff handoffs. The person who scopes your project is the same person who builds and delivers it.

Nearly a decade of staffing industry depth

Pillar understands ATS platforms, branch operations, and high-volume hiring data before your first meeting — no onboarding required.

A proven builder, not just a consultant

Pillar actively designs and operates its own data products — including Marble WOTC — so every recommendation comes from real execution experience.

Flexible engagements, no long contracts

Whether you need a one-time project or ongoing support, Pillar works on terms that fit your business — not a rigid retainer you're locked into.

At a glance Pillar Large firm
Engagement
Direct access to your specialist ✓ ✕
Flexible, project-based scoping ✓ ✕
No long-term contract required ✓ ✕
Free initial consultation ✓ ✕
Expertise
Staffing & ATS industry knowledge ✓ ✕
Real-world product development ✓ ✕
SQL & integration specialization ✓ ✓
Value
Transparent, quote-based pricing ✓ ✕
Ongoing post-project support ✓ ~
Personally accountable for results ✓ ✕

Built by Pillar

We Don't Just Consult — We Build

Pillar Data Solutions actively designs and operates its own data products. Marble WOTC is a live example of what we build for clients — and for ourselves.

Marble WOTC

Powered by Pillar Data Solutions

Live product · marblewotc.com

What it is

Marble WOTC is a purpose-built SaaS platform helping staffing agencies capture the Work Opportunity Tax Credit — worth $2,400 to $9,600 per eligible hire — without the administrative burden of spreadsheets, manual form filing, or costly third-party processors.

Designed from the ground up by Steve Patton using the same database architecture, automation, and integration skills Pillar brings to every client engagement. Marble is proof that those skills ship real, working products.

What it proves about Pillar

End-to-end product design and development from a single specialist
Real-world API integration with multiple ATS platforms
Automated workflows and document generation at scale
Ongoing ownership, maintenance, and support of a live system
Visit Marble WOTC → Ask us about custom products

Platform capabilities

Eligibility Screening

5-minute candidate questionnaire determines WOTC target groups and estimates credit value instantly

Automatic Form Generation

IRS Form 8850 and ETA Form 9061 pre-filled and ready to submit — zero manual data entry

Deadline Tracking

28-day IRS submission windows tracked per applicant with automated alerts before deadlines hit

ATS Integration

Pulls candidate data directly from staffing software via API — or import via spreadsheet

Certification Dashboard

Full credit pipeline from screening through approval — approvals, denials, and pending all in one view

The process

How Working With Pillar Works

Engaging Pillar is straightforward. Here's exactly what to expect from your first conversation to an ongoing partnership.

01

Free Discovery Call

We start with a no-pressure conversation to understand your current environment, pain points, and goals. No commitment required — just an honest look at what's possible.

~30–45 minutes

02

Scoped Proposal

Based on your discovery call, you'll receive a clear, itemized proposal — what will be built, how long it will take, and what it will cost. No surprises, no hidden fees.

Within a few days

03

Build & Ongoing Partnership

Work begins with direct access to Steve throughout. Once delivered, Pillar remains available for ongoing support, iterations, and whatever your business needs next.

Ongoing

Ready to get started? Book your free discovery call — no commitment, just a conversation.

Schedule a free call →

Got questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't see your question? Ask Steve directly →
The engagement
Every engagement starts with a Partnership Development Scoping Call — a free 30–45 minute session to understand your environment and goals. From there, Pillar provides a clear proposal outlining scope, timeline, and cost. Once approved, work begins with direct access to Steve throughout. Ongoing clients receive a minimum weekly check-in to keep momentum.
Absolutely. While Pillar has deep roots in the staffing software industry, the database development, reporting, migration, and integration work we do applies to any business that owns access to its data. If you have a SQL-based environment and a data challenge, Pillar can help.
No. Pillar does not require long-term contracts or retainer agreements. Engagements are structured around the scope of work — whether that's a one-time project or ongoing support. You're never locked in, and ongoing clients simply have a minimum weekly check-in billed at the admin rate.
Typically very quickly. After the scoping call and proposal approval, work can begin within days depending on the nature of the project. Urgent situations — like an imminent migration deadline — are taken seriously and prioritized accordingly. Reach out and we'll figure out what's possible.
The work
Pillar works primarily remotely, which keeps engagements efficient and cost-effective for clients anywhere. That said, Steve is willing to travel to client sites when the project calls for it — just mention it during the scoping call and we'll work it into the plan.
Pillar's primary expertise is in Microsoft SQL Server (SSMS), which covers the vast majority of client environments. Steve also has working familiarity with Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL — so if your stack involves one of those, it's worth a conversation.
Pillar remains available after delivery for questions, adjustments, and follow-on work. Many clients move into an ongoing support arrangement with a weekly check-in — billed at the admin rate for one hour or more — to keep things running smoothly and address new needs as they arise.
Pricing
Pillar uses two rates — a development rate for active build work and a lower admin rate for check-ins, maintenance, and consulting. Standard engagements are billed hourly, while larger projects can be scoped as a flat-rate engagement. Pillar is flexible and happy to work within whatever structure suits your business best.
Yes — completely. The Partnership Development Scoping Call is free with no obligation. It exists to make sure both sides understand the opportunity before any commitment is made. Billing begins only once a proposal is accepted and work formally kicks off.
No retainer required. Ongoing clients have a minimum weekly check-in billed at the admin rate for one hour or more — enough to keep communication consistent and projects moving without committing to a fixed monthly fee you may not always need.
About Pillar
Steve Patton — every time. Pillar is a specialist consultancy, not a firm. There are no junior staff, no subcontractors, and no account managers. The person you speak to on the scoping call is the same person who designs, builds, and delivers your solution.
A full-time DBA is a significant overhead commitment — salary, benefits, and capacity even when there's no active work. Pillar gives you senior-level database expertise on demand, scoped exactly to what you need. You get the knowledge without the headcount, and the flexibility to scale up or down as your needs change.
That's exactly what the scoping call is for. Many clients come to Pillar knowing something isn't working but unsure of the root cause. Steve will ask the right questions, identify the real problem, and recommend only what will genuinely help — not the most expensive solution available.