The Fundamental Portfolio Manager provides the full front-to-back administrative capability to Taquanta, including funds administration and daily unit pricing of five retail unit trusts.

The Fundamental Portfolio Manager is by definition a South African based integrated front-to-back asset management solution, covering the full spectrum of asset management, right through from order initiation to reporting. It is designed as a complete solution for the middle-tier asset manager, and as such is a unique market offering. Adding to its uniqueness is the fact that it is the only locally based company that offers a comprehensive solution to the asset management industry. It provides asset managers with the ability to manage investment portfolios and client relationships with ease, while minimising the associated administrative and routine processing tasks.

"Instead of outsourcing to an administration service provider, Taquanta have taken the progressive step of outsourcing to an innovative technology platform," comments Craig Arenhold, Managing Director of Fundamental Software. "This has resulted in the realization of operational efficiency while still maintaining effective control of the administration function."

The implementation of the Fundamental Portfolio Manager represents a major victory for Fundamental, as Taquanta had previously managed their administration through a local outsourced service provider. "The switch has already resulted in significant cost savings. In-sourcing has meant that we maintain better control over our assets, which ultimately will lead to a better service offering to our clients. These are the primary reasons we chose to use Fundamental Software," says Steve Roberts, Managing Director of Taquanta Asset Managers. "Over and above these savings, we have found the use of the Fundamental Portfolio Manager, together with its integrated unit trust pricing functionality, has given us a much more dynamic platform from which to realise operational efficiencies in managing our portfolios. The technology platform is advanced, the support is prompt and the staff dedicated."

Arenhold says the project has enabled his company to demonstrate its ability to implement a core solution for a company of this caliber. Fundamental has grown aggressively since incorporation in 2003, and currently support a base of clients in diverse geographical locations, including Cape Town, Windhoek and Mauritius.

Fundamental Software is part of the Smartsource Group of companies, and the Fundamental Portfolio Manager is supported and maintained out of Smartsource House in Kenilworth, Cape Town.