SimCorp Dimension version 5.2 features efficient CCP processing functionality

SimCorp, a leading provider of investment management software and services for the global financial services industry, has released SimCorp Dimension version 5.2. This latest semi-annual release introduces an exciting suite of new developments and enhancements to meet demands within the global investment management industry, including processing of central counterparty clearing (CCP), OTC derivatives management and important front-to-back-office functionalities.

With the US Dodd-Frank Act being effective from 16 July 2012 and the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) coming into effect 1 January 2013, CCP support is currently a top concern for the industry. Previous versions of SimCorp Dimension have laid the foundation and version 5.2 offers a comprehensive package of functionality, enabling asset managers to meet specific risk margining requirements of the CCPs in an efficient manner.

To assist clients in meeting the new clearing and processing needs, version 5.2 introduces a new tool – the OTC Derivatives Manager – which offers a simple and intuitive OTC derivatives processing based on a one-step transaction registration process. The tool supports data import, and integrates with SimCorp Dimension’s instrument templates and straight-through processing functions. The OTC Derivatives Manager is also enhanced with interfaces to confirmation platforms, initially to the MarkitSERV platform, providing a clear distinction between cleared and not-cleared trades.

In the post-trade life-cycle management space, a margining process allows clients to distinguish between margin requirements and  actual delivered or paid margin, while still being able to verify margin requirements. The margining process also has the capability to integrate directly with SimCorp Dimension’s Collateral Manager.

“The CCP solution package introduced with SimCorp Dimension 5.2 was designed because we constantly monitor the global regulatory initiatives and plan our developments accordingly to meet the new requirements,” comments Lars Falkenberg, Head of Global Product & Marketing Management at SimCorp. “Many of our clients are highly impacted by the new CCP processing requirements. Consequently, it is not enough for them to just be compliant, they are looking for a long-lasting and effective solution to keep costs down – this is exactly what version 5.2 offers.“

SimCorp Dimension version 5.2 also introduces a number of other important developments and enhancements across front-, middle-, and back-office, including:

New rules in the Compliance Manager: e.g. rules for declaration of certain share ownerships and rules to support UCITS IV compliance
GIPS reporting notes: New performance module that assists users in the process of maintaining GIPS disclosures across a set of composites
Credit and issuer concentration risk: Several significant enhancements to the credit risk modules, including a powerful link from the Risk Analysis Manager to show underlying data in the Collateral Manager
Alerts Inbox for System Runtime Measurements: A tool that allows the user to delegate tasks and follow the status, for instance addressing an exceeded threshold
General reconciliation of external data: New module allowing SimCorp Dimension’s general reconciliation functionality to be used for reconciling data from external sources
Report Book Manager for web reporting: The Report Book Manager can now be configured to upload reports to an external system, such as a web solution.
The next version of SimCorp Dimension will be released in February 2013.