Pensions Administration – Systems
The firm has continued to invest in its in-house IT system - a system that was launched in 1992 to complement our pensions administration services.
Periodically upgraded, the system runs in Windows and utilises Excel/VBA for calculations and Word for documents.
Just as we offer a personal, customised service to clients, our system is flexible and easily customised to process unusual types of data particular to individual clients. It also produces calculations, letters and non-standard reports.
Having our own system gives us complete control over the changes and their priority and therefore we can deliver bespoke systems on schedule.
Each client has its own front-end, providing access to different modules. Access to each client's system is controlled, which provides our clients with comfort that their data is secure.
The system offers the following features and benefits to users:| Feature | Benefit to users |
| Member Data module | Enables users to enter new members or access existing members through a unique number, NI number, name or even payroll number. User-friendly buttons and menus allow the user to view, update or print the member's data. |
| Operations module | Enables the user to run calculations, change member's status and produce data for merging with documents. This can by done on an individual or bulk basis. |
| Standard Reports | Flexibility to choose either a report that is appropriate to all clients (eg Maturity, Movements reports) or one that is tailored to a particular client (eg Group Life report). |
| General Report Writer | Users can create their own reports, by selecting data, conditions, sort order, etc. |
| Client Information | Central database of all information used in the other modules. |
| Bulk Update | Sophisticated tool for updating entire groups of members from a file, invaluable for annual updates. |
Behind the scenes
The members of the team that maintain the system have all spent time working in pensions administration, understand the concepts and continue to work closely with our pensions administration staff on systems issues. All staff are encouraged to develop their system skills, thus improving efficiency and understanding as well as providing useful resources. New recruits tell us the menu-driven nature of the system is intuitive and easy to pick up with minimal training. More advanced users create their own reports and integrate their own documents.
Payroll and Accounting systemsIn addition to our main system, we also operate pension payroll and pension scheme accounts using proprietary software.
