PC survey and mergers to watch

There’s some movement in the data consolidation and reconciliation industry that advisers should keep an eye on.
AUG 01, 2008
Annual survey of technology providers PC Magazine published results of its annual survey of readers to gather their opinions on technical support and their attitudes toward the technology companies that serve them. In this year’s survey, the magazine collected almost 20,000 responses from readers who rated manufacturers of desktops, laptops, cell phones, media players and quite a few other product categories. Among the findings: Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., saw little more than a smidgen of improvement in terms of reader zest for Windows Vista. In last year’s survey, 68.3% of respondents felt that Vista “worked right out of the box on a new desktop computer.” A year’s time saw that score inch up only to 72.8%. Those advisers on the market for a notebook PC will find that readers ranked Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., highest overall for the second year, giving a rating of 9.2 out of 10. Lenovo Group Inc., based in Morrisville, N.C., came in second overall but was the most highly rated among Windows-only notebook PCs (8.1). The worst manufacturer overall — Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway Inc. — had a score of 7.6. To see results of the survey, head over to PC Magazine. Mergers to keep an eye on There’s some movement in the data consolidation and reconciliation space that advisers should keep an eye on. Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. of Lake Success, N.Y., a provider of technology-based outsourcing solutions to the financial services industry, announced this week that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Investigo Corp. Investigo of Minneapolis provides financial services companies with data consolidation from multiple sources, including clearing houses, custodians and back-office systems. ByAllAccounts, a Woburn, Mass.-based provider of data to investment management and advisory firms, has announced a strategic alliance with the Open Finance Network, a financial services and technology holding company based in Charlotte, N.C. Financial terms in both cases weren’t disclosed, but advisers relying on their services should keep an eye out for service changes. Davis D. Janowski is the technology reporter for InvestmentNews. Read our weekly online columns: MONDAY: IN Practice by Maureen Wilke TUESDAY: Tax INsight WEDNESDAY: OpINion Online by Evan Cooper THURSDAY: IN Retirement FRIDAY: Tech Bits by Davis. D. Janowski

Latest News

AI surveillance tool brings prediction markets under compliance watch
AI surveillance tool brings prediction markets under compliance watch

MyComplianceOffice's AI-assisted surveillance links employee chats on Slack and Telegram with prediction market trades as Wall Street tightens rules

Advisor moves: LPL nabs $1B Northwestern team in Seattle
Advisor moves: LPL nabs $1B Northwestern team in Seattle

Elsewhere, Raymond James absorbs a family-run practice from Commonwealth into its independent channel, while RBC welcomes a father-son tandem formerly from UBS.

Social Security COLA rises to 3.6% for 2027, largest since 2023
Social Security COLA rises to 3.6% for 2027, largest since 2023

Fuel-driven inflation drove the supersized adjustment, but advocates say retirees are still losing ground as trust fund insolvency nears.

Retirement advisors have a major small business opportunity
Retirement advisors have a major small business opportunity

State mandates and plan complexity are opening doors for financial advisors in the 401 market.

Most pre-retirees are planning without a planner - and it shows
Most pre-retirees are planning without a planner - and it shows

New LIMRA data reveal a stubborn advice gap that financial professionals are well-positioned to close.

SPONSORED Built on insurance experience to deliver on long-term promises

Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor