David MacLennan Posted January 17, 2001 Posted January 17, 2001 Is anyone aware of stand-alone software that automates the annual data collection process for small plans? It seems a good software package would facilitate having a relatively low-skilled worker to collect all the data, freeing up a lot of time for consultants, and the standardization would have side benefits too. If no such software is available, is anyone out there interested in it? I may pay a programmer to have it developed.
Bill Berke Posted January 17, 2001 Posted January 17, 2001 What do you mean by "automate annual data collection process"? Some details are needed regarding your definition/concept.
David MacLennan Posted January 17, 2001 Author Posted January 17, 2001 I mean a database/program that would store all the info needed to do the administration of a small plan (excluding the census info which presumably would come from the valuation software), track the status of a data request for a given client, do very simple trust accounting for the clients confirmation, print out data requests, and print out user input data for final client confirmation, etc.
Bill Berke Posted January 18, 2001 Posted January 18, 2001 The short answer is no. We have all this in three programs which are tied together and these programs are operated by our clerical staff, but these were programs were built explicitly for us - at great initial cost,and resulting effeciency and satisfaction. At one time FDP had a management program, but I never reviewed it and now that Corbel owns FDP, I guess it's gone. Some firms use a legal case managment software package, but, again, I am not familiar with any of them. Ultimately, my guess is that you are stuck doing something internally. Good luck.
David MacLennan Posted February 21, 2001 Author Posted February 21, 2001 I hired a programmer to develop this data request software and I'm very pleased with the results. I am now using a preliminary version (still needs more testing and additional features). It's a Windows program that was developed in Microsoft Access. Along with data request management, it will also do client management stuff (tracks 5500 & PBGC due dates, client communication log, task list, "waiting for" list, etc.).
Kristina Posted February 21, 2001 Posted February 21, 2001 Datair offers a windows-based Task management system which can be customized to your TPA system. This is a stand alone system and can be used to supplement your valuation software. Kristina
Greg Judd Posted February 22, 2001 Posted February 22, 2001 Originally posted by David MacLennan I hired a programmer to develop this data request software and I'm very pleased with the results. I am now using a preliminary version (still needs more testing and additional features). It's a Windows program that was developed in Microsoft Access. Along with data request management, it will also do client management stuff (tracks 5500 & PBGC due dates, client communication log, task list, "waiting for" list, etc.). David, hope you didn't pay more than a few hundred for this work. You're describing a fairly simple, tho narrow-purpose, database application.
David MacLennan Posted February 23, 2001 Author Posted February 23, 2001 Greg - Thanks for your input. I did pay more than a "few hundred". I wouldn't describe the underlying data structure as simple, given the relationship between plan sponsor related info, plan info, plan year info, short plan years, complex asset information and transaction handling, etc. Even if it were a simple structure, as with most programming projects the user interface requires the most time and thoughtful design. I wanted an employee with little training to be able to handle the data collection process with the structure the program provides.
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