Typically, more than 10 per cent of fund managers' employees' time is dedicated to accounting, performance measurement and reporting*. Clients require very detailed reports about the profile and status of their investment portfolios on a monthly and quarterly basis, tailored to their specifications. By reducing the reporting burden, teams can meet clients' demands more easily and have time to focus on providing a better level of customer service and winning new business.

The new software tool breaks down the process of creating reports so that raw data can be pulled from multiple sources into a data library in Microsoft SharePoint, which managers can then compile in Microsoft Word to present back to clients. It enables staff at each stage of the process to use familiar software and focus on their specific task, streamlining what can be automated to simplify report creation. It creates a consistent, repeatable, auditable process that can be monitored by managers at every stage, approving documents and dealing with bottlenecks, as it's easy to see where delays in receiving specific items in the report occur.

David Haigh, Information Management Director at Avanade UK, commented: "Speeding up the process of producing reports and improving their accuracy affords staff more time for commentary and analysis, instead of gathering data. And for the business, the solution makes the most of their existing Microsoft investment, removing the need for training as people are already familiar with the component tools. The automation also reduces the need for the IT team's involvement. The tool is a cost-effective way for fund managers to better serve their clients needs."

*According to the IMA Asset Management Survey 2007