Accent to give iNSYTE into client relations

Accent Software has announced plans to enter the financial services space with the launch of its first finan_cial planning software tool, iNSYTE.

Access Software business devel_opment manager Shane Sutton said the firm decided to move into finan_cial services after market research identified a need for better customer relationship management (CRM) technology.

“From our view, advisers were strug_gling and we saw a massive gap in the market with this particular aspect not being done right,” he said.

“While in the back-office paraplan_ners have wonderful software, in the front-end advisers were dying won_dering how to manage with all the con_fusing rules and regulations.”

Scheduled for release by August, Sut_ton said iNSYTE will offer advisers a way to manage the growing compli_ance burden, allowing them to focus on generating sales and revenue.

“The software will reduce the churn on low value clients and increase [the ability of advisers] to deliver better serv_ice to high value clients. On top of that, it has modules in place that focus on leveraging better value business out of an existing client base.

“Components built into the applica_tion include a full document store for organising files. It can also track rela_tionships between clients, even noting who recommended them to you.”

Sutton said the product would focus specifically on CRM and offered no modelling software.

“When we researched the marketplace we found that modelling tools were well catered for by com_panies like COIN and Visiplan, as their whole para_digm is based on the modelling tool. Our paradigm is strengthening the customer/adviser relationship.”

However, Sutton added that iNSYTE could be inte_grated into the modelling systems already in place, as it was “built on Microsoft.NET, which offers easy integration with third party applications and web services. It’s fully customisable and flexible, meaning future proof technology.”

iNSYTE is currently being pilot tested by two finan_cial planning firms, with a large accounting firm com_ing on board when it is released in August.

“Version 1 was completed and was put to the test by two companies that have experienced failure with other offerings. They’ve been using the system pretty aggressively and it’s been supporting them well.”