Ndex, a web-based
software, is designed to automate the wealth-management process. Developed by Montreal-based Ndex Systems Inc., the software combines core information processing, front- to back-office integration and investor/advisor user profile information.

“Ndex allows advisors to organize clients according to clients’ investment objectives, manage and rebalance their portfolios, and obtain in-depth performance information on their accounts,” says Laurent Bensemana, president and CEO of Ndex Systems. “In addition, it facilitates compliance and customized reporting.”

The software is exceptionally flexible, he adds, covering all bases: account-opening automation, order entry, portfolio management, bulk trading, client and firm reporting, automated client monitoring and objectives management. It also offers scalability, to fit institutions of any size.

The software’s eQuate platform mirrors the back office and stores historical information. Its profile-based data warehouse can be used by advisors, administrators or managers to perform tasks such as real-time portfolio management and trading, and comparative ana-lysis of investors’ stated vs real behaviour.

Users can create baskets and models by combining asset classes, investment funds or individual securities — for groups or individual clients. Strategy-based custom portfolios can also be created, allowing advisors to group accounts by objective or households. Portfolios can be automatically realigned using batch orders prepared prior to processing.

The “portfolio” and “account view” features provide information on a particular client or for a specific account within a portfolio, including account type, holdings, cash balance, summary portfolio values and client profile information.

With the “activities” function, advisors can view all activities for a specific time period, including buys, sells, inflows and outflows. The software’s built-in database enables “forever” retrieval of activities.

One critical attribute of the software is its “compliance” feature, which can be implemented at the firm or branch level. It has a built-in online “know your client” feature that constantly monitors and alerts users any time a client deviates from his or her stated investment policy. Access privileges to the compliance feature are based on the user’s function within a firm; the software provides unlimited ability to create separate access and authorization rules within an organization.

Ndex’s business tools are compliant with Association for In-vestment Management and Re-search rules. Ndex can also support mutual fund dealers, investment dealers, asset managers and retail brokers. The software is open and portable across a wide range of applications and technologies.

Ndex has advanced reporting features, with the ability to customize an unlimited number of individual and batch reports that can be printed or e-mailed directly from the application. Among the reports that can be generated are daily activity, asset allocation, maturity, portfolio performance and historical account activity. Reports can carry company logos and be produced in English or French. The currency of reference for reports can be changed easily, depending on user requirements.

User can also take advantage of the software’s customer relationship management capabilities to consolidate households, produce customized client lists, conduct quick searches and produce batch reports for clients. Ndex uses a patented feature, “true customer profiling,” which tracks investor behaviour.

The software also allows for direct real-time communication with clients. Authorized clients can have their own custom access via the Internet, facilitating discussions with their advisors while looking at exactly the same data.

Ndex has a flexible commission and fee-management module that can be automated to suit a variety of scenarios. The module facilitates application across various accounts.

The cost of Ndex is based on a diminishing scale directly linked to assets under administration. For instance, an advisor with a book of $25 million pays a licensing fee of about $750 a month. The fee for $100 million in AUA falls to around $600 a month.

Ndex is being used by 85 companies, ranging from giants such as Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. to mom-and-pop shops.

The software offers integrated wealth-management tools on a single platform. “Ndex guarantees immediate cost savings and increased revenue,” says Bensemana. “It cuts back-office expenses and improves operational efficiency.” IE