Fedsure Asset Management streamlines investment process with ensemble

ensemble, a provider of business and technology solutions to the financial market, has implemented the Decalog solution, from SunGard Investment Management Systems, at Fedsure Asset Management, to cater for the front-office and compliancy requirements.

Alex Ravenscroft, IT Manager at Fedsure Asset Management, confirms that the decision was made to invest in the full suite of Decalog investment management software modules after an in-depth analysis and selection process. "Technology is increasingly becoming a major driver of change in the asset management industry and therefore we have embarked on a major project to implement a number of sophisticated technologies. Decalog will play a key role in our overall IT strategy, which will ensure that we are at the forefront of new developments in the industry."

"The timeous implementation by ensemble of Decalog has allowed us to streamline our investment process, a very important issue for our clients and Fedsure Asset Management. Straight-through processing is the basis for operational efficiency as we pursue our strategy for growth", he continues.

According to Ettie Takacs, CEO of ensemble, Decalog was selected by Fedsure because of its ability to accommodate the specific organisational business requirements and its ability to deliver straight-through processing (STP) in an on-line, real time environment. "ensemble had to assess Fedsure Asset Management`s specific business as well as its current investment in systems and technological infrastructure. Faced with market challenges, Fedsure Asset Management was required to review its systems needs and align these to meet business requirements."

"The days of "one-system-fits-all" are definitely over," she continues. "In today`s financial `modus operandi`, the specific needs of front-, middle- and back-office, as well as clients` business units must be delivered by focused systems for each entity. In addition, real time processing and STP should also be identified as a top priority issue in the investment process. Decalog caters for all these needs."

According to Ravenscroft, Decalog`s modules are reliable, user-friendly applications that will allow Fedsure Asset Management users across the enterprise to manage a wide range of assets with better decision support and better reporting to our customers. The Fedsure Asset Management installation is currently supporting 20 users.

Takacs further comments, "By streamlining, enriching and automating critical elements of the investment management process, the Decalog solution fills the gap that prevented Fedsure Asset Management from previously experiencing the benefits of real time front and middle office support as well as STP. With Decalog up and running, Fedsure Asset Management can operate and manage clients` businesses more profitably, while increasing customer satisfaction and improving return on assets under management.."

Although the Decalog solution modules are designed to work together, they can run as effectively alone. The suite comprises of the following applications:

• Decalog Manager: this module provides portfolio management and decision support

• Decalog Compliance: fast and flexible compliance monitoring before the trade

• Decalog Trader: efficient management of trading and order workflow

• Decalog Performance measuring and attribution: real-time portfolio monitoring, measuring and attribution

Fedsure Asset Management provides portfolio management services to the Fedsure Holdings group, one of the country`s premier financial services organisations. The company also manages funds on behalf of external clients, primarily large retirements funds, corporations and other institutions. Following the recent merger with Norwich Investments, Fedsure Asset Management has more than R36-billion under management.