The big guns of portfolio management software

Advent Software Inc.*

301 Brannan St., San Francisco, CA 94107

Website: advent.com

(800) 727-0605

No. of licensees: Company won’t disclose.

Software: Advent Office Essentials

Description: A packaged solution that comprises Axys portfolio accounting solution, Advent Custodial Data interface, consulting support and other features. For firms with up to $100 million in assets under management.

Price: $2,500 to $18,000 in the first year, including a one-time setup fee; price drops after that.

Captools Co.

22510 S.E. 64th Place No. 210, Issaquah, WA 98027

Website: captools.com

(425) 391-4052

No. of licensees: About 750 professional users and 3,500 non-professional users.

Software: Captool Professional Investor

Description: Intended for small shops, this solution offers the ability to handle a large number of accounts, maintains sufficient records to meet compliance requirements and performs client-tracking and reporting functions. Allows planners to rebalance clients’ portfolios, generate billing statements and provide clients with customized reports.

Price: $1,999 for the first-year license fee, $800 annually thereafter; 60-day trial for $70.

Financial Computer Support Inc.

14 Commerce Drive, Oakland, MD 21550

Website: fcsi.com

(800) 432-2267

No. of licensees: Not available.

Software:

dbCAMS+

Description: Runs anything from a one-person office to a multiuser system; offers portfolio accounting, performance measurement and reporting, contact management and office automation.

Price: $3,585 for the first user during the first year, $520 for each additional user for the first year. Maintenance fee is $1,440 for the first user each year thereafter and $220 for each additional user annually starting in the second year. Quantity discounts available.

dbLITE

Description: An optional software package designed for use with dbCAMS+. Provides access to account information, contact information, contact management and basic financial reports.

Price: $500 for the first user in the first year and $240 per each additional user in the first year. Maintenance fee is $120 annually for the first user and $90 annually for each additional user starting in the second year. Quantity discounts available.

WorkForce

Description: Back-office service bureau providing data-management and account-reconciliation services for portfolio accounting and performance measurement. Services include web-based access to data and reports for the adviser and client, daily or weekly updates of data and off-site data storage.

Price: $50 per registrant. Quantity discounts available.

Performance Technologies Inc., a unit of Charles Schwab Corp.

Two Hannover Square, 13th Floor, 434 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC 27601

Website: centerpiece.com

(800) 528-9595

No. of licensees: About 3,300.

Software: Centerpiece

Description: Combines accounting, intuitive reporting and performance-tracking abilities in a Windows-based network application. Offers customized reports, tax-reporting capabilities, quarterly reporting capabilities, graphics and batch processing.

Price: Base product is $3,495. Maintenance fee is $750 annually, which covers unlimited support and product updates.

Techfi Corp.*

620 16th St., Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202

Website: techfi.com

(720) 891-2000

No. of licensees: About 500 (breakdown: AdvisorMart.com, about 200; Techfi Portfolio, about 300).

Software:

AdvisorMart.com

Description: Online portfolio management system to outsource back-office needs. Downloads and reconciles data electronically daily from brokerage systems, custodians and fund groups. Provides advisers all-hours access to client data, including holdings, transactions and security-level performance returns. Also provides web-based access for clients to view consolidated account data and performance returns.

Price: $50 a year per account that the adviser manages.

Techfi Portfolio

Description: Built for 32-bit Windows systems, this solution is designed for firms and practices of all sizes. Automates most daily processes, such as debiting fees and posting transactions. Provides instant on-screen access to performance measurement tools. Each report includes several full-color graphs. Allows data to be imported from other portfolio management systems.

Price: $4,000 for the first year, including license fee, maintenance and support; $1,000 annually thereafter.

*Last week, Advent said it is acquiring Techfi. That deal is in the process of closing, and the companies’ products won’t be integrated for at least several months.