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Andrew Walsh, CEO “Banking has to work when and where you need it. The best advice and the best service in financial services happens in real-time and is based on customer behavior, using principles of Big Data, mobility, and gamification.” This quote by Brett King, the world-renowned futurist and best-selling author of several books on the applications of technology in business, perfectly sums up the need for technology tools and data-driven software in banking and finance. In pursuit of building a technology infrastructure that allows financial institutions to transform their legacy processes into next-gen operations, numerous companies in the finance sector are seeking hardware and software solutions that facilitate the delivery of new-age financial services. At the forefront of assisting financial organizations across the world with software offerings that leverage emerging technologies is Australia-based IRESS. With its award-winning technology and a global team of highly professional and passionate individuals from a plethora of backgrounds, IRESS offers its financial services software suite to more than 500,000 users across 9,000 businesses worldwide. At the same time, the company manages market data from 153 global exchanges and collaborates with 450 third-party enterprises by integrating IRESS technology with their software.
A Business Built On Trust
Founded in 1993, IRESS initially provided real-time information services to businesses that specialize in equity and future information markets across Australia and New Zealand. This also involved supplying a range of pricing data, charting, and equity derivatives, as well as real-time trading tools. Over the years, IRESS has grown exponentially both with respect to its portfolio and geographical footprint, which spans 17 offices in seven countries. Today, the company serves a multitude of clients, ranging from entrepreneurial and established financial advisory firms to the world’s most iconic finance brands. And with its comprehensive suite of software solutions ranging from CRM to portfolio tracking, IRESS’ clients enhance their impact, performance, and customer relationships. The company also helps its clients increase their efficacy in finding better ways to manage investments, navigate markets, and deliver high quality financial advice, among others.
According to CEO Andrew Walsh, IRESS’ success can be attributed to its team and the values that they work to uphold. The company emphasizes open and direct communication within and outside the firm to enhance collaboration and long-running customer relationships respectively. IRESS also ensures that all of its clients’ needs are satisfied by offering highly customizable and scalable software that are backed by the extensive industry knowledge of its team.
Delivering a One-Stop Financial Services Solution Suite
IRESS offers a solution suite that comprises dedicated software for financial advice, trading and market data, investment management, life and pensions, superannuation, and more.
Some people might be using this time to make banana bread, we’re using it to make the Iress software you rely on even better and to fast track some our development to get newer capabilities into your hands sooner
Coping with COVID 19
As numerous financial services companies across the world relies on IRESS to stay connected and offer high quality services, the company recognizes that its offerings have become even more critical as its clients cope with the effects of a pandemic. “The coronavirus pandemic has brought uncertainty and disruption to our daily lives on an unimaginable scale, causing financial services businesses to adapt to the new normal at a breakneck pace,” says Walsh. Therefore, Walsh believes that by offering technology tools that allow financial professionals to deliver sound management and guidance, IRESS can help the overall financial community restore a sense of stability.
Aaron Knowles, Group Executive, ProductIn March 2020, the company developed a dedicated online hub that enables financial institutions access free technology-related information and support. These resources comprise practical ways for businesses to stay connected to their clients, teams, and business needs while working from. More recently, Walsh addressed the overall financial services community by mentioning how the shift to a more digital and data-driven way of working will help them maintain operational efficiencies as they steer their businesses through the pandemic. Furthermore, with more people working in dispersed remote ways and businesses displaying a greater desire to drive up efficiency and minimize costs over the medium term, Walsh predicts a surge in automation in the coming months. “Many of our clients are reviewing their current operating models, identifying more opportunities to automate, improve, and digitalize their way of working,” adds Walsh.
Ushering in the Era of a Digital Future in Financial Services
With Walsh’s strong stance on process automation in the financial services arena, IRESS predicts firms to apply automation to better manage workflows, track activities, and ensure effective compliance at all times. Looking ahead, Walsh and his team aim to continue developing software offerings that can help its clients thrive in the COVID-19 market environment. To drive this point even further, Aaron Knowles, group executive of product at IRESS mentions how the company is dedicated to improve its existing portfolio to better support its clients. He also points out the dramatic increase in the usage of its online client engagement portal, which have almost doubled since the lockdown started in March. Similarly, in the overall financial community, the adoption of digital signatures and the use of secure messaging and documentation functionalities have also witnessed a meteoric rise (400 and 138 percent respectively).
From a portfolio standpoint, Knowles compares IRESS to stay-at-home lockdown trends as he says, “Some people might be using this time to make banana bread, we’re using it to make the Iress software you rely on even better and to fast track some our development to get newer capabilities into your hands sooner.” The company is currently working to improve its one-click digital signature functionality, building new Superannuation legislation changes at a breakneck pace for the Australian market, and more. And as an organization, Iress will continue to drive digital and data-driven user experiences to enhance the efficiency and performance of its clients’ financial services.
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Company
IRESS
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
Management
Andrew Walsh, CEO and Aaron Knowles, Group Executive, Product
Description
Founded in 1993, IRESS initially provided real-time information services to businesses that specialize in equity and future information markets across Australia and New Zealand. This also involved supplying a range of pricing data, charting, and equity derivatives, as well as real-time trading tools. Over the years, IRESS has grown exponentially both with respect to its portfolio and geographical footprint, which spans 17 offices in seven countries. Today, the company serves a multitude of clients, ranging from entrepreneurial and established financial advisory firms to the world’s most iconic finance brands
