Accelerated Aladdin® Technology Delivery | Debunking Perceptions of Enterprise Transformation

Alpha’s recent collaboration at a c.£25bn UK Asset Manager with BlackRock and BNY has proven that Enterprise transformation – which is often perceived to be daunting, complex and risky for boutique asset managers – can be achieved in 6-12 months after contract signature. We are committed to replicating this approach for other clients of a similar profile to deliver market-leading technology and outsourced services in a shorter timeline than ever before.

Any organization that has undertaken Enterprise transformation will know that it takes a fine balance of scope, cost, and timelines to deliver true value. From years of experience, Alpha has refined an approach for smaller-scale, simpler managers that focuses investment and attention on the areas critical to accelerating valuable business outcomes.

In discussion with BlackRock, Alpha considers the following parameters to be the target profile for an accelerated delivery of Aladdin – whether in collaboration with a TPA or with an in-house Middle Office.

Alpha’s proven accelerated implementation framework has helped to deliver a variety of benefits to boutique clients. In addition to the overarching goal of realizing transformation change within a year, clients typically experience benefits across 4 main areas:

1. Business Outcomes: Enterprise transformations deliver best-in-class tools and technology that were previously perceived as inaccessible to boutique managers
2. Cost: Shorter timelines inevitably reduce implementation costs, but vendor & data license cost rationalization can also be realized through this scale of change
3. Delivery Impact: Alpha’s proven methodology can increase implementation certainty and reduce the impact on BAU activities
4. Strategic Vision: Faster implementations mean innovation and growth potential can be unlocked sooner

Since Enterprise transformations touch every corner of your organization, an end-to-end target operating model design process must be completed for seamless progression into implementation. Alpha knows exactly where to focus this exercise to surface gaps and challenges with the biggest commercial and delivery impact. It is also crucial that these decisions are governed and communicated with the right stakeholders to ensure buy-in before the implementation starts.

Timelines can be accelerated by considering the balance of scope, efficiency of technical build, and effective program governance:

1. Client Profile: Understanding and tailoring the approach to the organization’s profile is key. For smaller scale, predominantly listed managers, vendors like BlackRock are open to defining a more streamlined approach to delivery. Having a clear articulation of your requirements and scope is a crucial first step in the journey. Alpha puts this front and center of our Due Diligence and Pre-Implementation initiatives to avoid expensive re-work or delays during the implementation.
2. Technology & Data: Often considered the most critical piece to accelerating delivery is the ability to deliver interface files as soon as possible after project kick-off – particularly those enabling quick wins, like Aladdin Risk Go-live. Leveraging Alpha’s past experience and accelerators in collaboration with vendors can dramatically help with this. Furthermore, it is crucial for managers to know which functions are true differentiators and which can leverage out of the box configuration to expedite timelines. Naturally, with greater customization comes greater effort and expense.
3. Program: Accelerating an enterprise implementation requires finely-tuned collaboration across several stakeholders and organizations. Alpha’s proven governance structure facilitates this dialogue and can help meet ambitious timelines. Resourcing the team with the appropriate strategic thinkers and subject matter knowledge, allows for creative, yet rapid decision making and ensures you are delivering for your future organization.

Across the full project lifecycle, Alpha knows exactly which program management levers can yield the greatest opportunities to accelerate.

Having worked with over 50 clients globally on Aladdin initiatives, Alpha has refined an approach to deliver true enterprise change to boutique managers in unprecedented timelines. If you would like to understand more about this approach, and are looking for advice on where to start, please contact us here.

We work with all major vendors and service providers and welcome discussions on this collaboration with BlackRock and BNY, or any other preferred combination of partners.