Investment-Technology Briefs

SunGard Investment Management Systems, based in Boston, has released Exception Manager, a tool aimed at monitoring and detecting processing exceptions at investment firms, such as market timing or late trading. The solution is a browser-based module integrated into Invest One, SunGard's accounting general ledger and reporting system. The Exception Manager module uses an exceptions library as well as a Rule Designer that enables users to create customized rules for exceptions. The tool automates exceptions, so that users don't need to manually review account aspects such as price exceptions or earned income to locate those exceptions.

XcitekConsultingServices has announced its intention to help firms address mutual-fund breakpoints. The service aims to automate the linkage of a firm's client information, according to a statement from Al Hutwagner, managing partner of the New York City-based consulting services. XcitekConsultingServices will assign and track breakpoints, using mutual-fund-industry specialists that operating independently of other operations employees, Hutwagner adds.

Eze Castle Software, a Boston-based investment-management-technology vendor, has developed Destination Station, a .NET technology to automate the management of FIX connectivity. The connection and request-management tool is a secure Website that facilitates FIX connectivity between buy- and sell-side firms. David Quinlan, president of Eze Castle Software, explained in a statement that Destination Station arose based on the number of clients that are using FIX trading, with an increase of 68 percent in 2003. "Destination Station provides both parties the tools to manage the approval, implementation, and management process efficiently," he says.