BPM tools are key in an era where increasing emphasis is placed on transparency and control and where the reputational and financial consequences of errors can be punitive. As fund accounting solutions become ever more automated, often managing complex work processes, exception and process monitoring has frequently been a largely manual process. Linedata Optima has been created to remove this manual operation by presenting a real-time view of automated processing and exception messages on a single screen, allowing intervention at the earliest possible moment. Linedata Optima employs a visual, intuitive approach to monitoring which means that information can be shared more widely throughout the organization, with specific views built for different user profiles. Errors and delays are thus dealt with as soon as possible, while efficiency, control and oversight are improved and operational risk is reduced.

Linedata Optima deals with both the events and the processes involved in the fund administration workflow, delivering immediate improvements in terms of transparency and control, expanding in the near future to the implementation and control of manual workflow. Linedata Optima will guide the user through the workflow, ensuring the required tasks are performed in the correct sequence. Metrics derived from historical exception and process data can be used for continuous process improvement. Using Linedata Optima also promotes standardization of processes and offers future-proofing of the operation as a whole, as processes, workflows and knowledge are all systematically recorded rather than relying on individuals' knowledge and approach. Linedata Optima will sit on top of all Linedata's fund servicing solutions, in a phased roll-out starting with Linedata Icon.

CEB TowerGroup research director Gert Raeves commented, "We see built-in BPM functionality as the way forward for fund administrators wishing to deploy this type of process. We see little appetite for large, stand-alone BPM solutions which lack the domain expertise for the specific workflows required. Built-in BPM solutions enable vendors to give their clients a way to make better use of the underlying system's automation, an improved view of on-going processes and therefore a reduction of operational risk."

Paul Westgate, Product Manager at Linedata Back Office Asset Management, commented, "Our clients tell us they strive to meet increasing internal and external client requirements and regulatory demands. Linedata has created Linedata Optima to help all our Back Office clients become more efficient, whilst gaining greater control over their workflow and reducing operational risk. Linedata Optima is an important innovation because, as a BPM tool, it doesn't just deliver a one-off improvement, it gives our clients the means to constantly improve, standardize and further automate their processes. This is a significant cross-product initiative which will benefit all our Back Office clients, demonstrating our commitment to invest and innovate."