It's Time To Step Away From The Spreadsheet.

Many asset owners and allocators still handle data with static documentation, like Excel spreadsheets – despite the fact that their data is changing by the second. But new regulations implemented in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis have spurred a shift from static systems to systematic data management. Those that haven’t made the switch will soon see the impact.

Our new white paper, “Still Managing Billions with Spreadsheets and Static Systems? Here’s Where You’ll Feel the Bite,” details the repercussions of maintaining a static documentation process, and provides guidance for an efficient transition.

Those maintaining a legacy process will feel the impact in these 5 ways:

Version Variations

As files are emailed, updated, and edited, they multiply — with no foolproof way of knowing which contains the “latest and greatest” information. Systematic data management, on the other hand, draws information directly from a master data repository and contains system checks to ensure consistent — and accurate — output.

Compliance Catastrophes

Document sharing, emails, and spreadsheets may not fully demonstrate your compliance and fiduciary responsibility for audit purposes. Saving static documentation simply may not prove you acted prudently. A data management system creates a complete audit trail with a log that can justify and confirm how you handled critical information.

Post-Mortem Problems

If data is not stored in a systematic, smart way, it is difficult — or even impossible — to conduct post-mortems on various investment decisions. With all data stored in one place, you can assess not only the performance of an investment and the analysts’ recommendations, but you can verify when and how other departments weighed in.

Presentation Pain

With static documentation, generating presentations entails a lot of human effort, and leaves room for error. Creating presentations using systematic data management helps ensure accuracy, and saves time.  You can swiftly pinpoint the key data needed for any audience, and generate a standardized presentation that will set the stage for positive dialogue. Investor satisfaction and confidence are enhanced.

Workflow Weaknesses

Static documentation is not part of an ongoing, automated process. Systematic data management, however, empowers you to automate workflows. All data is timestamped,
and triggers can be set in place to ensure methodical, repeatable, consistent processes for any activity.

Moving to systematic data management requires a single database to house all data, ensuring it’s accurate, accessible, and auditable. Making the transition enables alternative investment firms to demonstrate fiduciary responsibility, while boosting capabilities, consistency, and compliance.

For additional details and insight, download your copy of the white paper now.