Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:
RJF) recently selected BlueThread Technologies, Inc., a rapidly growing
provider of Microsoft SharePoint-based Enterprise Content Management
(ECM) solutions for the financial services industry, for a key project
to enhance several paper-based processes including opening new accounts.
Raymond James is one of the nation's leading investment management
firms with client assets exceeding $217 billion.
Raymond James plans to deploy almost ten thousand
seats of BlueThread's SmartDesk, a highly-configurable end-user ECM
composite application that leverages Microsoft's SharePoint Solution
stack and K2's Business Process Management technology. The completely
integrated system will manage massive amounts of data, paper-based
content and business processes that drive their new account opening
and other operational processes across the company's 2,200 investment
offices, thereby enhancing its level of efficiency.
"The financial industry still relies heavily
on paper," said Mark Abbott, Raymond James' senior vice president
for IT. "We needed a way to accelerate these processes by digitizing
paper documents at their source and merging their data into a totally
digital process. BlueThread's integrated solution was exactly what
we were looking for -- a full-fledged ECM solution built on the SharePoint
platform. After full deployment, we expect significant increases
in efficiency and cost savings. Our branches will have greater transparency
into and control of the documents they submit to the home office
and will be able to handle transactions in a fraction of the time."
BlueThread's SmartDesk provides process automation
in new account opening by eliminating many manual steps and delivers
precisely the right information to the right processor at the right
time. An innovative user interface allows users to quickly review
applications and all supporting documents to complete the work in
a fraction of the time normally taken. It makes complex processes
across any enterprise simple, effective and fast.
BlueThread's SharePoint-based solution was selected
over legacy and industry standard ECM vendors after a highly successful
stress test proved the system could ingest and process in excess
of a million documents and transactions within a single day. The
integrated solution is cost effective and fits Raymond James' overall
technology strategy.
"The process management capabilities we offer
in K2 blackpearl will play a key role in driving productivity in
this installation," said Glen Bryant, K2's VP - Americas. BlueThread's
SmartDesk is a perfect segue from paper to digital process for Raymond
James and we are excited about the impact our joint solution is going
to make."
"BlueThread, Microsoft, K2 and Raymond James
make a great business partnership," said Mark Brazeau, BlueThread's
President and Senior Principal. "By integrating multiple best-of-breed
Microsoft-based technologies and providing comprehensive domain knowledge,
our company will help Raymond James realize their business objectives
cost effectively and at very low risk."
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond
James Financial (NYSE: RJF) is a Florida-based
diversified holding company providing financial services to individuals,
corporations and municipalities through its subsidiary companies.
Its three wholly owned broker/dealers, (Raymond James & Associates,
Raymond James Financial Services and Raymond James Ltd.) and Raymond
James Investment Services Limited, a majority-owned independent contractor
subsidiary in the United Kingdom, have a total of more than 4,770
financial advisors serving approximately 1.6 million accounts in
2,200 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas.
In addition, total client assets are approximately $211 billion,
of which $35.8 billion are managed by the firm's asset management
subsidiaries.
About BlueThread Inc.
BlueThread, Inc. (www.bluethreadinc.com) is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based
company that specializes in integrated Enterprise Content Management
(ECM) solutions that provide tangible business benefits. A Microsoft
Value Added Partner, BlueThread specializes in the financial services
and insurance industries. BlueThread principals, are experts in
many technology and project management disciplines, and have successfully
implemented over 200 ECM systems over the past 20 years for some
of America's largest companies.
About K2
K2-based solutions are deployed by a growing number of the global
Fortune 100. K2, a business unit of SourceCode Technology Holdings,
Inc., is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and has offices
all over the world. SourceCode, K2 and K2 blackpearl are registered
trademarks or trademarks of SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc.,
in the United States and/or other countries. |