Garry Williams, Managing Director of QTS, said "With over a decade's experience in this sector, we've worked with many different types of organisation, large and small. I'm delighted to launch our new programme of workshops, open to clients and others, which will look at key issues in the sector and how technology can be used to improve performance."

The first workshop was held in Nottinghamshire on 21 June, and was attended by 14 delegates from across the mutual sector. Run by QTS Operations Director, Adrian Westgate, the session looked at key operational issues that delegates face, and specifically how to gain efficiencies and improve processes by implementing interfaces and automation.

Adrian said "Financial organisations are under greater pressure today than ever before - it's difficult enough keeping up with the day-to-day activities without throwing a 'best buy' product into the equation. We've found that clients had been struggling to balance issues such as application volumes, customer service and staffing, but we have been able to suggest ways in which they can automate systems and implement interfaces to operate more effectively across the board, without increasing costs or sacrificing customer service."

By considering examples of mortgage and savings automation, delegates discussed how this works in other organisations, and explored the practicalities of implementing such a solution. With one eye on the future, the session concluded with a look at the potential to extend interfacing into other systems.