Client Reporting Online is becoming increasingly popular not because of the increased functionality of your website, but also for improved client retention through adding value and reduced cost of servicing clients. In fact, 1st Software's research in their online valuations press release shows that 81% of advisers claim that it is the most important e-business development for their firms.
Back in 1998, Screen Business developers built the first IFA web site to deliver portfolio valuations through a web browser, for London based IFA Brooks Macdonald Gayer. This was achieved by integrating with 1st Software and copying extracts from the database onto the web server, where clients view their own portfolio on a secure HTML page.
This application was then further developed in 2001 so that clients could select from a menu of online reports through a Crystal Reports Viewer, which is still in use today. In simple terms, clients can produce reports from the 1st Software in the same way that you do, albeit you can restrict who has access to what reports. Clients are tagged in your 1st Software database and their data is then automatically transferred to the web site on a periodic basis (typically weekly or monthly) where clients can then view their own information.
In 2006 the .NET version was launched, initially with 1st's Adviser Office. This allows for faster and even more reliable uploads, using an XML structure. The beauty of this is that it is entirely configurable so that the valuation pages can be fully branded and integrated within your bespoke website. Unlike the previous Crystal version, this can be used on all computers with a web browser, so even those with Apple Macintosh running Safari have no trouble. Furthermore, it can include embedded links to performance charts, risk analysis and fund news, portfolio anaysis tools, etc.
The .Net framework is so flexible that it can also import data from other providers of IFA back office systems, such as Plum Software, Pulse Software, to deliver online valuations, so get in touch in order for us to help you gather your requirements.
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Online Applications
