CHICAGO, May 6, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates, a leading provider of investment tools and knowledge, today released iPlan -- web-based software for asset allocation investment planning and proposal generation. Advisors can use iPlan to create strategic asset allocation recommendations and implement those using variable annuities, mutual funds and managed accounts. The software is delivered as a packaged website which can be deployed within an enterprise-wide system or hosted by Ibbotson. Based on Microsoft technology, it can support Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator browsers.
"iPlan is a flexible product that can be branded by the organization with the firm's logos and color schemes and is designed to incorporate specific product recommendations. It can be configured in a variety of ways to suit the needs of the organization and accommodates the different roles of the organization's staff such as registered rep, sales manager and sales assistant," said Mark Kowalczyk, managing director of sales and marketing. "A web-based enterprise system like iPlan allows a financial services company to roll out a unified investment process to all its firms. This centralized system reduces liability because it establishes consistency of client advice and oversight of sales staff."
The software provides the following end-user functionality in an established workflow:
-- Case Management -- Create and manage client cases
-- Client Profile and Security Classification -- Collect and classify
client holdings
-- Risk Assessment -- Establish risk profile with risk tolerance
questionnaire
-- Asset Allocation -- Select a model portfolio or optimize to create
asset mix
-- Implementation -- Get a predefined fund allocation or create your
own
-- Proposal Generation -- Generate an NASD-approved proposal
Ibbotson has been developing software for almost a quarter of a century. In its different forms, the company's software currently runs on more than 100,000 advisors' desktops. iPlan carries Ibbotson's trusted name and methodology that is based on Nobel Prize-winning theory. Advisors who use iPlan can have confidence in recommendations they give to their clients.
About Ibbotson Associates
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1977, is a leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals obtain, manage and retain assets.
The company's business lines include investment consulting and research; planning and analysis software; wealth forecasting; educational services and a widely used line of NASD-reviewed presentation materials. With offices in Chicago, New York and Tokyo, Ibbotson Associates provides integrated investment knowledge, leading-edge technology, multi-conceptual education and a variety of sales presentation solutions. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors and consultants for quantitative analysis, high level decision making and presentations. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small money managers.