Count Financial is targeting a 50% productivity gain within its advice process as a result of selecting IRESS Market Technology to be its strategic software partner.
Set to commence implementation from early 2011, Count will be replacing its WealthPlanner proprietary software with IRESS’ XPLAN wealth management platform.
Count CEO, Andrew Gale, says he expects XPLAN to bring substantial productivity gains and benefits to the advice and client review process, with the dealer aiming for a 50% productivity gain in this area.
Mr Gale added that as well as productivity gains, the accountant-based dealer firm is positioning itself for the future by implementing the XPLAN platform to help it deal with some of the proposed FoFA regulatory changes, such as the requirement for clients to ‘opt-in’ for regular reviews.
Mr Gale detailed several key reasons why Count selected XPLAN, including:
- The comprehensiveness of functionality in advice modules
- The flexibility to be configured to uniquely reflect Count’s value proposition to clients
- The wider business efficiency and CRM benefits to Count’s adviser network
The selection process involved Count advisers trialling the XPLAN systems: “It was essential that a selection of our Count Members were included in the rigorous process to select our wealth management and advice platform,” said Mr Gale, who added, “They are uniquely placed to comment on the technology and solution required to provide efficient and valuable advice to clients.”
“Ultimately, it was clear that XPLAN could provide the integrated and adaptive solution we were looking for,” he said.
Count advises the XPLAN platform will be piloted by a selection of advisers in January 2011, with a roll out across the group planned to commence from March 2011.
