Welcome

Hello again from The Researcher. In this month's edition you will find hints and tips to help you when using Update Manager; details on our Synopsis report service and a further chance to get to know some other members of the Synaptic team!

Did you know...

...that on average an IFA will select 18 features before recommending a critical illness contract? The most in-depth IFA research recorded included a whopping 82 separate features.

(Source: Synaptic Insight, based on the most recent 500 pieces of critical illness research.)

What would you like to know from our Synaptic Insight data? For further details, see the Insight data article in this edition of The Researcher.

In this edition...

• Hints and tips
  As you will be aware, it is our aim to ensure that all contract data appearing within our research tools is verified by all providers on a quarterly basis. All maintenance is staggered and a copy of the maintenance schedule, detailing which product areas are due for verification, is available via the information button in Update Manager.
  
  Within this area of Update Manager you will also be able to see the monthly update deadlines.
  
  
  
  Back to the top
  
  
• Calling all product providers!
  If there are products that we are not representing for you on our IFA Software, don't be shy. Simply contact a member of our research team on research@synaptic.co.uk. Remember there is no charge whatsoever to display your products within Synaptic research tools and our unique Update Manager system means that sending us your product data couldn't be easier.
  
  Synaptic also power the product research data on Exweb (The Exchange), so by sending us your product data, you are also automatically present for all Exweb users as well as the Synaptic IFA user base.
  
  Back to the top
  
  
• Synaptic data developments
  Our previous editions listed the topics being considered for investigation during 2009. Here are a few updates on just some of the areas we have been working on:
  
  Group SIPP – After reviewing all feedback and documentation from relevant providers, our analysts concluded that the most effective way to cater for Group SIPP representation is to add new features and conditions within the existing SIPP area. These additions will indicate whether group terms are available and cater for the group scheme details. This decision is based on the fact that most schemes are bespoke and therefore don't lend themselves easily to comparison on software tools. Also, in many cases the group scheme was made up of individual SIPP contracts where investments can be pooled, so creating a dedicated Group SIPP comparison area would therefore have simply been a duplication of the existing SIPP area.
  
  The new features and conditions are now available within Update Manager for you to populate and once completed by all providers we will make this additional information available within the IFA software. All participating providers have been e-mailed separately with the above information and many thanks for your feedback to help us with this assessment.
  
  Locum plans – A draft survey questionnaire has been put together and sent to relevant providers for their views. Subject to sufficient demand, this research activity could result in a new unique area for representation and comparison of this specialist cover.
  
  Thank you for your feedback. As ever, please feel free to forward any ideas to the team by emailing research@synaptic.co.uk.
  
  Back to the top
  
  
• In the news
  Blueprint and Sesame vision for end to end compliant sales process realised with the help of Capita Financial Software (27th April 2009)
  
  Blueprint has today concluded the roll out of an 18 month vision with Capita Financial Software and third-party providers to deliver an end to end, compliant sales process for its members. This innovation will enable Blueprint's advisers to harness a seamless business process provided by an integrated suite of ‘best of breed' adviser tools and services, including Capita Financial Software's Client Care Desktop, the product and fund research tools provided by Synaptic and the Portavista platform - the first implementation of Capita Enabler: a multi provider; multi wrapper; open architecture fund trading platform. Sesame Direct's recommended product and fund panels have been fully integrated into Synaptic for Blueprint; saving advisers time and providing joined up reports.
  
  This is the first time Sesame Direct's research has been combined with the Synaptic tools giving advisers the benefits of a system that has both value added research, panels and an audit trail capability - all in one tool. Blueprint highlights the confidence and peace of mind the new suite of tools gives to their member firms and is certain it will be recognised by new advisers joining them in order to enhance the compliant advice process.
  
  Blueprint members now have an end to end sales process which follows through from fact finding, client risk profiling on Portavista, matching Sesame approved products and funds to the client's risk profile and then transacting the business via Portavista or provider platforms. The Synaptic capabilities means that the adviser can either select Sesame approved funds first and then be guided on the Sesame approved products they are available within, or can select Sesame approved products first then be guided on the Sesame approved funds available from them.
  
  This collaborative effort between the service providers demonstrates Capita's ongoing commitment to support the IFA distribution channel and its member firms with innovative best of breed software solutions.
  
  Dean Foley, Blueprint Head of IFA Sales, comments "Our goal over the last 18 months has been to transition the business from a transactional to a financial planning model. This development enables our members to deliver high quality compliant pensions and investments advice to their clients, both effectively and profitably thus ensuring the appropriate client outcome. It has enabled our business to assist experienced mortgage advisers wanting to move back into financial planning, the development of a career path for ‘new' advisers into the industry and greatly enhanced our recruitment proposition where we have seen much success in 2009".
  
  Jane Hodges, Head of Sesame Direct, comments "We are proud the value of Sesame's qualitative research has been recognised by Blueprint and have been pleased to be able to use our comprehensive research service to integrate with their services and technology to deliver a clear benefit to advisers, providing efficiency and compliance benefits".
  
  Back to the top
  
  
• Insight data
  Following the launch of Synopsis earlier this year which focused on investment bonds, bespoke versions are now available to provide similar information for other product types. If you are interested in receiving a bespoke Synopsis, or have any suggestions for the next generic edition, please contact research@synaptic.co.uk.
  
  To find out more about Synaptic Insight and Synopsis, please click here.
  
  For details of the investment bond edition, click here.
  
  Back to the top
  
  
• Meet more of the team
  
  

  Simon Thomas Head of Product Management simon.thomas@capita.co.uk Where were you working before you joined Capita Financial Software? Previously General/Operations Manager at 1st Software (with a two year stint at running my own business in between). If you could have a super power what would it be? To stop people getting themselves angry and worked up (Harmony Man?)! Which historical figure would you most like to meet? Adolf Hitler (to try to make sense of what he did). If you could be a 'fly on the wall' anywhere where would it be? Too many choices! If you were Prime Minister for a day what would you do/change? The prison system - put criminals to work to put something back into society and develop some moral values in the process. Name two people you would like to have dinner with? Barack Obama and Osama Bin Laden. If you could have invented something what would it have been? The iPod - fantastic! If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring with you? My iPod (and a charger?).

  Eric Armstrong Marketing Manager eric.armstrong@capita.co.uk Where were you working before you joined Capita Financial Software? Circle Communications – a brand marketing agency specialising in financial services, technology and luxury goods. If you could have a super power what would it be? A good memory! Which historical figure would you most like to meet? Caesar Augustus. If you could be a 'fly on the wall' anywhere where would it be? Hmm... the FSA policy chamber. If you were Prime Minister for a day what would you do/change? Abolish the English Channel. Name two people you would like to have dinner with? Paris Hilton and Sarah Harding. If you could have invented something what would it have been? A better way of settling boundary disputes. If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring with you? A television.

  Nigel Ogram Product Consultant nigel.ogram@capita.co.uk Where were you working before you joined Capita Financial Software? Clarity Financial Planning Software Ltd. If you could have a super power what would it be? Flight. Which historical figure would you most like to meet? Hitler, as an impressionable youngster, to show him how to paint, or play music or knit – anything other than politics. If you could be a 'fly on the wall' anywhere where would it be? No 10 Downing Street Cabinet room – I'll bet it's a right shambles when they all get together. If you were Prime Minister for a day what would you do/change? Resign. Name two people you would like to have dinner with? Sir David Attenborough and Murray Walker. If you could have invented something what would it have been? Self-washing dishes and cutlery – I HATE washing up!. If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring with you? A boat.

  Craig Faulkner Business Support Analyst craig.faulkner@capita.co.uk Where were you working before you joined Capita Financial Software? I wasn't. Almost immediately after finishing college in 2001, I joined Synaptic (which became part of Capita Financial Software in 2008) and have been here ever since. If you could have a super power what would it be? I quite like the idea of telekinesis. I imagine that would come in handy. Which historical figure would you most like to meet? Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. If you could be a 'fly on the wall' anywhere where would it be? Seth Brundle's lab. If you were Prime Minister for a day what would you do/change? I'd abolish all of the ridiculous things MPs can make expense claims for and demand that they spend more time looking after the country's needs rather than their own. Name two people you would like to have dinner with? Katie Melua and Slash. If you could have invented something what would it have been? Post-It notes. They're everywhere and very practical. If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring with you? Probably one of my guitars. I may as well use the time to get some practice in.

  Joanne Maling Marketing & Communications joanne.maling@capita.co.uk Where were you working before you joined Capita Financial Software? PMS® - Bankhall Group. If you could have a super power what would it be? Reading people's minds. Which historical figure would you most like to meet? Emmeline Pankhurst. If you could be a 'fly on the wall' anywhere where would it be? At school, so I can see what my son really gets up to! If you were Prime Minister for a day what would you do/change? More money available for the education of our children. Name two people you would like to have dinner with? No one famous, family and friends would be just as nice and a good bottle of red wine! If you could have invented something what would it have been? e-bay. If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring with you? Transport home!

  
  Back to the top
  
  
• Send this to a colleague
  This service is supplied exclusively to product providers. If you would like us to add any colleagues to this distribution list, please click here and complete the form provided.
  
  Back to the top
  
  

Capita Financial Software
Eaton House, 1 Eaton Road
Coventry CV1 2FJ

Tel: +44 (0) 2476 632884
Fax: +44 (0) 2476 839701

Email: research@synaptic.co.uk
Web: www.synaptic.co.uk

© 2008 Capita Financial Software. All rights reserved.
Capita Financial Software, Eaton House, 1 Eaton Road, Coventry, CV1 2FJ.
Registered in England number 3136234.
Registered office: The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, BR3 4TU. Part of the Capita Group Plc.