3i Infotech have published a report on the value of Client Reporting teams.  You have to provide your details when registering for the report here or send an email to marketing.we@3i-infotech.com.  The title of the report is ‘Client Reporting Teams - The Unsung Heroes of the Investment Management World’, which gives a clear indication of the audience, and the key findings identified are:

• Many client reporting teams struggle with legacy systems that do not fully support their activities
• Systems that offer a holistic solution should be considered over single application offerings
• Increasing demands for value-added activities require sophisticated systems that can model multiple data sources
• Assisting the work of client reporting teams should be a key business priority

Nothing too surprising or earth-shattering, but reasonable conclusions for most firms.

There is always an obvious problem with research carried out by vendors (or consultants, for that matter), in that they will invariably argue for change.  We’ve only once recommended to a client that they stay as-is for the moment, as they were in the process of wider business and strategic change rather than based on perfect reporting processes.  For most clients, there is almost always benefit from change that is justifiable investment.  But the argument is complex and more difficult to win now than at any other time.  We’re not sure this report will win the day, but all views and contributions are welcomed.