Zurich enhances dealer service offering

Budding software groupOnline Business Technologies(OBT) has signed its first major financial services client after aligning withZurich Financial Services Australiato provide outsourced IT services to financial advisers.

OBT, whichIWLhas recently begun to refer to it clients, will offer its services to advisers via Zurich’sDealer Back Office Services(DBOS) division.

The offerings will span end-to-end back-office solutions, and include assistance in areas such as compliance, paraplanning, software, research and technical services.

According to Zurich adviser services products and platforms head Carl McGann, the relationship with OBT is part of the group’s ongoing partnerships strategy.

“We recognise that where others are specialists, we will seek to develop strategic relationships in order to enhance our offering,” McGann says.

OBT will also provide advisers with various specific IT management services such as security, maintenance, disaster recovery, risk management, software licensing and upgrades.

“The relationship will provide three key benefits to advisers: flat predictable IT costs; peace of mind now that security is paramount for computer systems; and flexibility and mobility, with advisers able to access all their programs and data from anywhere in the world,” McGann says.

Meanwhile the deal struck with IWL allows OBT to install, manage and host VisiPlan and all data on behalf of the client for a fixed monthly fee.

This contrasts with traditional methods of advisers running VisiPlan, where clients install and run the application on their own IT system.