Client Profile
A prominent New York-based asset manager with over $900 million in Assets Under Management (AUM), managing investments across multiple asset classes and currencies.
Challenges
The asset manager faced several critical challenges that hindered their operational efficiency:
- Manual Reporting Processes: Generating investment research and analysis reports manually, which was time-consuming and prone to errors.
- Timeliness and Accuracy: Ensuring reports were delivered on time while maintaining accuracy and visual appeal.
- Data Aggregation and Reconciliation: Inefficient manual processes for data aggregation and reconciliation across multiple asset classes and currencies.
- Excel Limitations: Overreliance on Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and report generation, causing inefficiencies and scalability issues.
- Data Visualization Constraints: Lack of advanced data visualization tools, hindering insights and decision-making.
Root Cause
The primary root cause was the firm’s dependence on manual processes and Excel for data aggregation, analysis, and report generation, which was time-consuming, error-prone, and lacked scalability.
Solution
Cognivo, a specialized data and technology consulting firm, partnered with the asset manager to revolutionize their data analytics and reporting infrastructure.
Data Centralization and Interactive Dashboards
Cognivo implemented a two-pronged approach to address immediate pain points and plan for future growth:
- Interim Refactoring: Refactoring the current system to keep it viable for 3-6 months while re-engineering data requirements and architecture.
- Excel Replacement: Transitioning from Excel to automated data processes and reporting tools.
- Data Centralization: Aggregating and centralizing internal data from portfolio and accounting systems into a central data warehouse.
- Power BI Integration: Implementing custom real-time business intelligence dashboards using Microsoft Power BI, providing advanced data visualization and insights.
Services Involved
Cognivo’s comprehensive suite of services ensured a seamless transformation:
- Strategic Advisory: Offering expert guidance on data strategy and system optimization.
- Data Management & Reporting: Centralizing data storage and enhancing reporting capabilities.
- Systems Integration: Ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.
- Technology Implementation: Deploying advanced technological solutions for automated reporting and analytics.
Challenges Addressed
Cognivo’s solution addressed the asset manager’s key challenges:
- Manual Reporting: Eliminated manual, error-prone processes for generating investment research and analysis reports.
- Timeliness and Accuracy: Ensured reports were timely and accurate.
- Data Aggregation: Streamlined aggregation and reconciliation of data across multiple asset classes and currencies.
Results
By partnering with Cognivo, the asset manager achieved remarkable results:
- Automation: Achieved full automation of data aggregation and report generation processes.
- Accuracy: Improved the accuracy of generated analysis by over 90%.
- Efficiency: Freed up significant time for the investment team, allowing analysts to focus on more meaningful tasks.
- ROI: Saved close to a million dollars over five years by reallocating resources to higher value-added functions.
Conclusion
Cognivo’s expertise in data and technology consulting enabled the New York-based asset manager to successfully transform their data analytics and reporting processes. The automated solution not only ensured timely, accurate, and visually appealing reports but also significantly improved operational efficiency and return on investment. This transformation enabled the firm to better utilize their team and focus on strategic activities, positioning them for continued success in the asset management industry.