Alexander Forbes Financial Services (AFFS), a division of Alexander Forbes Limited (SA), has developed an online interface for MTN`s pension fund members, administered by AFFS.
Alexander Forbes Limited, previously the Alexander Forbes Group, is a recognised leader in independent professional services and is ranked as one of the top 10 companies of its kind in the world. AFFS is an administration company for a full range of financial services, from corporate retirement funds and medical aids, to housing plans and private financial consulting.
AFFS assistant manager, Annee Engelbrecht says that MTN trustees wanted to move away from printed collateral and integrate its fund administration with MTN`s corporate intranet.
"Until now we`ve relied on printed material to pass on information to members, collate feedback and deliver reports on everything from fund performance to management portfolios," says Engelbrecht. "Through the intranet we can not only deliver this information faster and more cost effectively, but are also able to transform it using interactive tools and electronic forms unavailable to us before."
Together with multimedia specialist Graphic Image Technologies (GIT), AFFS designed and implemented the MTN pension fund intranet site. "MTN`s retirement trustees are all computer literate, although we wanted to maintain an easily-accessible point of entry for the average user," says Engelbrecht. "The site is therefore user-friendly without sacrificing the interactive functionality that makes the medium so attractive in the first place.
"A good example of this is the "jargon" translation feature that`s activated every time a user leaves his cursor over a word or phrase that`s difficult to understand," she adds. "The functionality is carried right through the site, from pop-up screen tips to interactive formulae that instantly show the user what the benefits of different policy options are based on his or her risk profile."
GIT MD Mark Chertkow says corporate intranets are rapidly taking over printed documentation as companies look to drive costs down and optimise information delivery.
"Intranets are not only quicker to develop, but also significantly cut the cost of repeat publications because they`re so easy to update with new information," says Chertkow. "The level of intranet technology is such that users can conduct almost all the transactions associated with their fund or portfolio online and make informed decisions using the interactive tools and support mechanisms built into the site."
Because of the rapidly changing nature of fund portfolios, Engelbrecht says the MTN site will give its users far more insight to their investments than was possible with quarterly printed reports.
"Users can instantly see the composition of a fund`s management team, for example, or choose between different investment options based on real-life scenarios played out from the site," she says. "All this adds up to a rewarding experience for the users, and ultimately the satisfaction of the client."
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