Newsflash Archive

May 2005 - SyncSoft launches a range of R&D initiatives

"SyncSoft launches a range of R & D initiatives, implements a whopping 14 products and takes it all in its' stride.
Melbourne based SyncSoft sole owner and developer of CAPITAL continues its' significant commitment to R & D and is launching a number of initiatives to further enhance clients integrated solutions."

MediaRelease RandD.pdf

SyncSoft launches new corporate image

For many years our customers have affectionately known Synchronised Software as SyncSoft, we have decided to formalise things and adopt SyncSoft as our new name together with a new corporate image. Over the coming months a new look SyncSoft will be rolled out and a new website will be launched.

SyncSoft Innovative Financial Solutions

SyncSoft's new STP features... enable clients to achieve significant cost savings. Recently introduced at AMPNZ and Pillar Administration process times are greatly reduced and integrity of data improved.

For more information please contact
our office on +61 3 9874 0011.

Allocated Pensions go live

CAPITAL has two clients successfully running their new Allocated Pension products. The Allocated Pension module is fully configurable and is fully maintained by SyncSoft.

For more information please contact
Karen De Angelis on +61 3 9837 1411

August 2003 - Capital Master Trust Enhancements Implemented at BT Financial Group

The flexibility of Capital's Master Trust system has seen BT establish a new product offering within their existing CAPITAL Master Trust system. Westpac purchased BT Financial Group last year, and is in the process of moving Westpac's heritage Business Super product to the BT platform, to sit alongside the existing BT Corporate Super product. This work has resulted in BT's Capital system being able to support multiple products, yet benefit from consistent business processes between the products - ultimately allowing for improved services for clients.

Synchronised Software worked closely with BT in the configuration and enhancement of the system. The development of the multiple product capability was completed over approximately 8 months and involved product configuration and a range of enhancements to support the second product's requirements.

BT is pleased with the progress of the project to date, as it is a key milestone in the integration of the Westpac and BT businesses. The project adds further to the strong working relationship that exists between Synchronised Software and BT.

August 2003 - CAPITAL 6.3.2 Released

CAPITAL 6.3.2 is the first production release available since CAPITAL 6.3 and includes functionality previously delivered by the CAPITAL 6.3.1 Beta release. The scripts and release notes are now available from the Client Area of Synchronised Software's Web site.

In addition to delivering support for Oracle 9.2i and fixes for nearly 40 defects, the release provides support for Stored Procedures, Thread-safe Rules execution, Enquiry Update, Calculator Update, CapTalk improvements, Simple Table Window Templates, CTL Editor & Translator Improvements, Improved Developer Settings Access and an upgrade to Centura\Gupta runtime 3.0.

For more information see the attachment below or the release notes in the Client Area.

CAPITAL 6.3.2 Released.pdf

August 2003 - New Speed Record for Capital

CAPITAL reconfirms its credentials as one of the most scalable administration platforms available. In a recent test at the IBM Solution Partner Centre in North Sydney Australia, Synchronised Software's Capital administration system processed almost 200,000 "members per hour" for an End of Month run - while simultaneously supporting 250 concurrent on-line users. The results are a testament to Capital's volume capability and the performance of IBM's pSeries/UDB.

An End of Month run (EOM) is one of the most complex and demanding transaction processes in employer superannuation. EOMs involve valuing each member's accounts, debiting fees & charges and preparing information for employers. Usually these processes are run over night with no users on the system.

Senior Synchronised Software Technical Developer, Marco Conti says "We were using unchanged 2 year old production code, so I'm sure we could easily better those results with a bit of further tuning".

Managing Director, Rory Wainer says "We now have performance well beyond that of the systems used by the traditional industry super providers - while at the same time supporting full investment choice, flexible insurance options and full internet access".

May 2003 - IBM and Synchronised Software form Alliance

Synchronised Software is the market leader in the provision of Superannuation and Wealth Management software in the Australasian market. The Strategic Alliance Agreement with IBM throughout the Asia Pacific region including of course Australia combines the local strength and superiority of Synchronised Software's offerings and IBM regional and global strength in the provision of quality integration and related services.

see attached flyer IBMSSReleaseApril.pdf

March 2003 - Outsourcing of CAPITAL Development and Support Activities to Synchronised Software

see attached flyer Outsourcing Benefits v0.3.pdf

February 2003 - AMPNZ Upgrades to Capital 6.3 - a case study in cooperative projects

AMPNZ has upgraded their Retirement Savings, Insurance Bonds and Unit Trust (SIP) products from CAPITAL 5.0 to CAPITAL 6.3.

AMPNZ outsourced the upgrade and substantial enhancement work to Synchronised Software. The project achieved unparallel levels of participation, teamwork and co-operation between the two organisations. The project commenced with on-site consultations with AMPNZ in New Zealand to develop a Statement of Work (SOW) covering scope, roles and responsibilities, timeframes and project costs. After acceptance of the SOW, Synchronised Software prepared specifications for the development work that were reviewed and agreed by AMPNZ. In contrast to most projects, a small team of three highly experienced AMPNZ staff then visited Melbourne on two occasions. The first visit lasted for two weeks during the development phase. This visit provided an early "Reality Check" on the suitability of the design and enabled issues with misunderstandings and expectations to be identified and resolved very early in the project. It also enabled AMPNZ to obtain an early assessment of the overall progress of the project. The second visit also lasted two weeks and was completed after Synchronised Software's Unit and System Testing, but prior to delivery. The second visit enabled AMPNZ's staff to complete a pre-delivery testing and obtain one-on-one training and knowledge transfer. After delivery and integration AMPNZ then completed several rounds of Systems Integration and User Acceptance Testing back at AMPNZ in New Zealand prior to go-live.

By moving to 6.3 AMPNZ now has access to a range of new features and functionality, including Multi Environment Client (MEC), integration of Project Version Control System (PVCS), a number of visual improvements, enhancements to Job Scheduler, access to selective release and upload, support for latter versions of Databases, support for XML and more...

With the move to CAPITAL 6.3, AMPNZ also gained access to some other CAPITAL functionality that includes CAPITAL's Interface Management System (IMS) and iCAPITAL, which enables AMPNZ to take advantage of automation of payroll file processing and the benefits of real-time Internet enablement. All in all, AMPNZ expects to gain a range of substantial benefits from upgrading to CAPITAL 6.3.

December 2002 - CAPITAL 6.3 Released

see attached flyer version 6.3.0 cover letter.pdf

October 2002 - Synchronised Software announces support multiple capital databases from a single administrator sign-on

See attached MEC Flyer.pdf

October 2002 - Synchronised Software announces support for Regression

See attached flyer Regression20021010Flyer.pdf

September 2002 - R&SA migrates Symetry system to CAPITAL

Royal & SunAlliance Financial Services in September 2002 completed the migration of their R&SA Workforce Superannuation portfolio from the Symetry Superannuation System to Synchronised Software's CAPITAL.

The successful migration to CAPITAL by R&SA further consolidates R&SA's superannuation business on CAPITAL.

The products now maintained on CAPITAL at R&SA include the following:

• Optimum Corporate Master Plan
• Optimum Personal Plan
• Optimum Allocated Annuity
• Workforce Corporate Master Plan
• Workforce Personal Plan

With the recent conversion complete, R&SA now has in excess of 100,000 members being administered on CAPITAL.

August 2002 - Synchronised Software announces support for PVCS

see attached flyer Capital-PVCS VersionManager Flyer v2.pdf

August 2002 - Synchronised Software announces support for Jetforms

See attached flyer Jetform 20020823.pdf

May 2002 - Pillar migrates Print Industry Super Fund from AAS's Ultimaas to Synchronised Software's CAPITAL

Pillar in early May of 2002, were successful in winning the right to administer on behalf of the trustees, the Print Industry Super Fund.

Pillar were already a mature CAPITAL customer administering superannuation on behalf of the trustees of NSW Government employees. Their portfolio includes:

• Accumulation funds
• Defined Benefits
• Deferred Benefits and
• Unallocated Pensions

Pillar with its CAPITAL experience and supported by Synchronised Software were well placed to tackle the customisation and conversion that required implementation of member contributions on 1st July.

Following the initial successful implementation of contributions processing on 1st July, the previous years statements were produced and dispatched to members on schedule in October.

The addition of the Print Industry Super Fund's many thousands of members at Pillar brings the total number of members under management on CAPITAL at Pillar to in excess of 800,000 members.

Capital Retail Provides an Integrated Web Interface

While all current versions of Capital (Wholesale & Retail) fully support Web processing, traditionally customers have developed their own web sites to interface with Capital's open architecture (as in the below diagram).



We'll be making life easier & providing a faster to market solution for users of Capital Retail by including a fully developed end-user web interface for clients with support for all key processes from Investment Switches through to Employer Contribution Processing. Customers can quickly and simply personalise the look & feel of the our delivered web interface and deliver rapid results to their customers. Best of all, because our web interface is accessing Capital's open architecture it is providing both on-line real-time access to the database and using exactly the same business rules as the back office administration system.

Wrap+ Renamed to Retail

To avoid confusion with the Wrap "services" being offered in the market, Capital Wrap+ has been renamed Retail. The name Retail also more accurately reflects the highly end-user configurable nature of this version of Capital. Capital Retail manages financial products ranging from Unit Trusts through to Complex Corporate superannuation in a single client centric environment.

To find out more about Capital Retail...

CAPITAL 6.2 Released

Please see the following: version 6.2.0 cover letter.pdf

CAPITAL Version 6.1 released

Synchronised Software is pleased to announce the general availability of CAPITAL 6.1 software release. This notice will be of interest to both version 5.x customers as well as customers that have paid the upgrade license fees for version 6.

Please see the following: V6 Release.pdf

CAPITAL to manage ComSuper's entire 500,000 members totalling $11 Billion in Super Funds

Comsuper announces an extension of their working relationship with Synchronised Software to implement the market leading CAPTIAL application, as the common platform to manage ComSuper's 500,000 members, representing a total of $11 Billion Funds under Management.

To view the Press Release, please see the following:
Comsuper.pdf

CAPITAL Now Supports Microsoft SQLServer 2000

Synchronised Software announces it's leading Superannuation Administration Application CAPITAL now supports Microsoft SQLServer 2000.

To view the Press Release, please see the following:
SQLServer2000.pdf

GESB Launch CAPITAL and Member Investment Choice

On the 1st of July 2001, the Government Employees Superannuation Board of Western Australia (GESB) launched 'Member Investment Choice' for the 200,000 members of the West State Super scheme. With the introduction of 'Member Investment Choice', this is the final stage of the implementation of Synchronised Software's CAPITAL as the system for GESB superannuation administration. The initial implementation that was completed in April of this year saw the complete replacement of all of GESB's previous systems including; Defined Benefits, and Accumulation Funds representing in excess of 200,000 members successfully migrated to CAPITAL. Recently Peter Farrell CEO of GESB went on public record as a result of restructuring and the implementation of Synchronised Software's CAPITAL at GESB that. "The new structure, along with the adoption of an industry standard administration system from Synchronised Software, would allow the fund to position itself, in the words of Farrell, 'to become fund of choice for the public sector in Western Australia' " The introduction of 'Member Investment Choice' completes the successful implementation of CAPITAL to administer the West State Super Defined Contribution and the Gold State Super Defined Benefits Schemes. Further planned implementations at GESB include a Drawdown Facility and an Allocated Pension product using the CAPITAL WRAP+ offering from Synchronised Software.

Project Management Training: A worthwhile Investment?

Furlonger of the Gartner Group (1999) makes the claim that in excess of 80% of information system projects are late, exceed budget, or are reduced in scope. If this is the case, the cost associated with information system project delay must run into hundreds of millions of dollars in Australia alone. Not surprisingly these costs, and attempts to control and limit it, have sparked much research into the factors that contribute to adverse project outcomes. Much of the research to date has concentrated on early identification of errant projects, and harm minimisation techniques. Research performed by Synchronised Software's Mark Cassar differs in that it seeks to identify the factors that inhibit project success, and suggest means by which they may be avoided before they occur.

For more information, please view the following:
PROJMAN.pdf
SURVEY.pdf

CAPITAL Now Supports Oracle

Synchronised Software is pleased to announce the release to ComSuper of version 5.5.1[0071] of Capital, which now supports the Oracle 8i RDBMS.

Adding Oracle to the list of relational database management systems supported by Capital, along with UDB/DB2 and MS-SQLServer, Synchronised Software once again leads in multi-database connectivity and integration.

Synchronised Software - AUSMAQ Press Release

"20th March 2001 Sydney Synchronised Software and AUSMAQ today announce a new strategic alliance. Under the Alliance Agreement, the two companies will jointly market the AUSMAQ service with Synchronised Software's CAPITAL Wrap+ Template (CAPITAL) software."

For more information, please read the joint Press Release
AUSMAQ.pdf

SAC - All Systems Live

Synchronised Software & SAC, working together, have successfully finalised the migration of systems to CAPITAL. The final SAC scheme to be migrated to CAPITAL was SASS. SASS, a large and complex defined benefits system, went live on 12th February 2001.

SASS joins First State Super (a large accumulation plan), the Pension system and Deferred Benefits system as CAPITAL implementations at SAC. Total members under management on CAPITAL at SAC now exceed 1.2 million.

Oracle Support

Support for the Oracle database is being added to CAPITAL Versions 5.5 and 6. Oracle is one of the world's leading database management systems.

New Online Application Defect Logging System for Clients

Synchronised Software has developed a new Online Logging System for Application Defects. With this new service, Clients will be able to Log Defects, query their defect history and monitor the status of current defects. This Service is available through our Client Area.

Synchronised Software Provides a Range of New Services

Synchronised Software has launched a range of new services aimed at providing additional value to its Clients. The new services include Consulting, First and Second Level System Support, System Performance Auditing, a range of additional Training Courses and a range of Database Administration and Release Management services.

These new services add significantly to the existing services of project management, implementation services and training. Through these services Synchronised Software aims to ensure that its Clients minimise their administration and IT costs and maximise the benefits achievable from running their CAPITAL system.

To view details of the New Services, please read the following:
Services.pdf

Synchronised Software Provides New ASP Service for CAPITAL

Q. How do smaller players get access to the multi-million dollar CAPITAL software WITHOUT having to spend millions of dollars?

A. Look at our ASP services.

What is an ASP? ASP stands for Application Service Provider. An ASP is similar in concept to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), except rather than providing access to the Internet, they provide access to Application Software - Word Processors, Spreadsheet or even large systems like CAPITAL.

Synchronised Software is now providing an ASP access to CAPITAL. For a single monthly fee, from your existing desk-top you can access the latest version of CAPITAL using the processing power of state-of-the-art hardware.

Software

Synchronised Software's latest Version of CAPITAL will be used, including upgrades to Version 5.5 & 6 as they become generally available.

Hardware

Synchronised Software has acquired the latest IBM Quad Xeon Netfinity Servers to host its ASP. Features included:

• UPS
• Use of RAID 5 and Triple back-up for full data redundancy
• Quad Intel Xeon 550MHz Processors
• 2Gb of Ram

Costs

Costs for each customer will be set at equal to industry best practice costs for their market segment. This means small players, using our ASP service, will enjoy a back-office cost structure far lower than any of their competitors.