Symetry signs on for CARM’s planning system

By Ben Abbott

PlatformproviderSymetryhas struck a deal to distributeCustomer Acquisition and Retention Management’s(CARM) Guided Planning System (GPS) to the 200 advisers using its system.

GPS will be supplied throughAvanteos, which has signed a 10-year contract with CARM to incorporate the system within its wrap platform, and which is the back-end technology provider for Symetry.

Symetry chief executive Don Clifton says initially CARM’s GPS will be used as a stand-alone tool for its advisers, but the group will aim to integrate it into Symetry’s core service within the first half of this year.

CARM chief executive Matthew Lock says the GPS system is web-based and enables planners and dealers to centrally control their sales and compliance process while creating personalised lifestyle plans for clients.

Clifton says Symetry found GPS to be the most comprehensive financial planning system projecting lifestyle plans, and that it was the only one designed specifically to be used by planners in meetings with their clients.

Avanteos general manager product design Jason Entwistle says GPS integrates easily with the Avanteos wrap, and he can see a sales solution starting with the GPS and ending with the Avanteos implementation platform.

Symetry has 26 dealer groups using its product, and has $1.1 billion in funds under management.

The CARM deal follows another the group made in September last year with InvestmentLink’s e-Portfolio service.