Sophis Unveils Global Partnership with IBM

Sophis, a provider of cross-asset, front-to-back portfolio and risk management solutions, announced at the SIFMA technology Management Conference & Exhibit the launch of a global partnership with IBM financial services, aimed at strengthening implementation and support.

"It's significant as it shows IBM's confidence in Sophis," says Eric Bernstein, COO North America, Sophis.

IBM will provide expertise throughout the product life cycle, from requirement gathering to launch, ensuring that clients immediately have the methodology and know-how they need to tackle deployment and migration situations, he said.

Sophis offers two solutions for investment banks, asset managers and hedge funds: Risque, a cross-asset, front-to-back office solution for the sell side that enables investment banks to implement straight-through processing across their trading activity. For the buy side, the company offers Value, a platform made of four integrated modules: front office, middle/back office; data management and risk management.

Meanwhile, Philippe Stephan, global head of business development, Sophis, says that in light of the number of financial scandals that have hit the industry in recent months -- from the SocGen debacle to the collapse of two Bear Stearns hedge funds -- people have increasingly been focusing on risk management. But, Stephan points out, financial firms need to take a more holistic approach to risk rather than processing it in silos.

"We're big proponents of people in the industry making bets. But not knowing what risk you're taking, that is a problem," he adds. Melanie Rodier has worked as a print and broadcast journalist for over 10 years, covering business and finance, general news, and film trade news. Prior to joining Wall Street & Technology in April 2007, Melanie lived in Paris, where she worked for the International Herald ... View Full Bio