How Equinox modernised their entire operation.

Background on your business, what were the primary challenges or problems you were facing before using PlainSail?

We are a small independent trust company, with a close-knit group of eight staff. We realised no investment had resulted in our old system no longer meeting industry or our specific needs. We were dealing with outdated software that struggled to keep up with modern business requirements.

Specifically, we faced:

• Poor system performance that impacted our ability to deliver quality service.
• A lack of functionality, making it difficult to gather data or generate reports.
• Increased difficulty of meeting regulatory reporting needs
• Limited Management Information (MI) reporting, which made it challenging to make informed business decisions.

Our legacy system had served us for many years but a lack of investment and development in it meant we needed to move to new system that meet our needs.

We knew we needed to change platform if we were to continue to grow and effectively meet the increasingly challenging reporting requirements of the industry.

What led you to consider PlainSail and what were the key factors in your decision to choose PlainSail?

In 2021, when we began looking for a new solution, we had specific criteria in mind. We wanted a provider who could offer local, accessible support and cater to our unique needs as a small organisation.

We chose PlainSail for a few key reasons:

• They had a local presence – we wanted a company that we could meet with face-to-face and being able to sit down and discuss our needs directly was a priority for us.
• We felt that they were the right fit for us both in terms of scale and culture. Unlike larger, multi-jurisdictional platforms, which felt cumbersome, overly complicated and unnecessarily expensive, PlainSail offered a solution that matched our needs perfectly.
• PlainSail’s system was simple, cost-effective, and user-friendly. After reviewing other options in the market place, PlainSail stood out as the most practical and approachable choice.

“After reviewing other options in the market place, PlainSail stood out as the most practical and approachable choice.”

What was the implementation/migration process like?

Migrating to PlainSail from our existing platform was a surprisingly smooth process. PlainSail worked closely with our IT support partner, Certus, to manage this transition.

• The migration was completed in just a couple of months, with a mid-month cutover to minimise disruption.
• Sam from the PlainSail team led the migration and provided invaluable support. He went above and beyond to ensure the process was seamless and guided us through every step.

Overall, the implementation experience with PlainSail was positive, and we felt well-supported throughout.

What tangible benefits have your users experienced since using PlainSail?

Since moving to PlainSail, we’ve seen improvements across our operations. The platform has brought several tangible benefits, including:

• Streamlined Processes: We have experienced significant improvements to the time recording and billing and processes which are now automated through the system. These processes are lot more efficient and the reporting and functionality significantly improved.
• Centralised Data: All our data is now in one place—client profiles, timesheets, client data, compliance, and financial reporting information. This centralisation has made accessing information and generating reports much easier.
• Enhanced Reporting Capabilities: The flexibility of PlainSail allows us to customise reports, access client profiles with risk information, and even benefit from enhancements that have continuously been made to the application.
• Improved Compliance: Tasks that used to take significant periods of time, such as FATCA/CRS reporting (which required back-and-forth with external contractors), now are streamlined and automated.

What do your users most like about using PlainSail?

One of the best parts of working with PlainSail is the simplicity and logical structure of the system. The look and feel of PlainSail is simple and intuitive, which has made it easy for our team to adopt. We no longer rely on pulling data from separate spreadsheets and workbooks; everything we need is integrated into one core system.

What is your experience of working with the PlainSail team?

The PlainSail team is friendly, approachable, and service-oriented. Any time we need support, they are quick to respond and provide thoughtful solutions. PlainSail has made this transition a positive experience for our whole team, and we feel confident in the application and the partnership.

Would you recommend PlainSail?

Yes absolutely – the platform provides a scalable cost efficient solution meeting everything we need from a core operating system and is underpinned by excellent client service and support from the PlainSail team.