Zurich-based AlternativeSoft has unveiled a new release of its software platform designed for fund selection and portfolio construction professionals. In addition to portfolio construction, fund selection and index return forecasting, the software platform now includes a range of new features, including the ability to replicate hedge fund indices with liquidity and full transparency.

The new release also offers users more Excel fund reports, a peer group analysis function enabling professionals to compare one fund with a universe of self-defined funds, and the ability to update all hedge fund databases in the software on a daily basis directly from the internet.

'Over the past eight months we have enhanced our software by smoothing the process of using different database providers,' says AlternativeSoft managing partner Stephan Joehri.

'For example, if you subscribe to one of the Crédit Agricole CASAM CISDM, HFR, hedgefund.net, BarclayHedge, Morningstar, Lipper-Tass, Lyxor platform or Eurekahedge databases, you can now import hedge fund returns directly from a web-central database, with returns automatically updated on a daily or weekly basis.

'The software automatically recognises whether the client has subscribed to a database, then downloads the returns directly into the software. It's faster, easier, and more cost-effective. There is no need any more for monthly manual updates using user names and passwords. If the database provider updates its numbers daily, our clients are able to automatically update their numbers daily.'

The next software release in mid-2009 will be designed to help financial advisors and IFAs build diversified portfolios with more liquid and transparent assets, without being exposed to equity market losses - no small challenge given volatility the volatility experienced in 2008.