How hedge funds view their technology and operational models is fast evolving. Consider a simple example: the need to reconcile with half a dozen prime brokers and an administrator.  In the past a large fund would think nothing of developing a proprietary solution, but now there are other choices:   Buy an off the shelf software that automates the reconciliation process Hire a managed reconciliation service Push the recon function to a fund's HFA or middle office proposal as a value-added service. Previously, managers would build complex internal technology frameworks to reconcile with their prime brokers, but the option to

"One of the things we see across our organisation is that data management is becoming a much bigger priority and focus among asset managers," asserts Todd Moyer (pictured), Executive Vice President of Global Business Development, Confluence. "The complexities related both to institutional investor reporting and regulatory reporting are making data management a significant challenge. With Form-PF alone, managers might be looking at 30 to 35 different data sources across a dozen systems in order to meet the transparency requirements." Confluence is a leader in data management and automation for the global asset management industry. To address the data management and

By Rob Keller (pictured), CFA, Executive Managing Director, Product Management and Development, Eze Software Group – In today's world, increased regulatory pressures make collaboration between compliance and trading departments critical. The growing demands of compliance departments for pre-trade checks can potentially disrupt workflows and take valuable time away from trade creation and execution. According to TABB Group, many investment managers have issues with their current pre-trade compliance technology setup. Many firms have trading and compliance in disparate systems resulting in inefficient and slow trading workflows. These inefficiencies are driving the demand for tighter integration between execution management and order management

The Portfolio Amalfi platform by Nedelma offers multi-asset, multi-language, multi-currency dynamic reporting and data visualisation, as well as analytical capabilities to the asset management industry.  The platform also offers data aggregation tools, portfolio management solutions and a calculation engine. Users can analyse and view data from multiple perspectives using a combination of attributes, formulas and values, with extensive options for dynamic customisation. Nedelma also has an online investor document repository with document approval workflow and interactive reporting.  "Everybody in the financial industry cares about four factors: improving performance, increasing transparency, raising assets and reducing costs. Our products help business users

Ever since the DTCC's Alternative Investment Product (AIP) Services initiative was introduced in 2008, the goal has been to replicate the success of the NSCC's Fund/SERV and Networking service for mutual funds and apply it to the alternative investment industry.  At its heart, the DTCC's AIP platform links key players across the value chain, from broker/dealers to fund managers, administrators and transfer agents, in order to provide straight through processing capabilities when sharing data.  "Currently, we are working in collaboration with DTCC on the ability for broker/dealers to place hedge fund purchase orders and to establish new accounts directly through

According to consultancy firm MackayWilliams, the quality of fund reporting is the third most important criterion when selecting a fund manager, after risk management and the quality of the fund management team.  Citing survey results provided by Fund Buyer Focus, 10.7 per cent of a pool of 999 fund selectors highlighted the importance of reporting, suggesting that fund managers who have the technology in place to deliver fast, accurate reports are going to be best placed, going forward, to attract institutional assets.  STP reporting "The hedge fund community is still limited in terms of the amount of reporting it faces