How Saffery Trust unified four offices on a single platform.

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

Saffery Trust is a leading Trust and Company Service Provider (“TCSP”) to private and corporate clients around the world. Established in 1976, Saffery Trust has offices in Guernsey, Switzerland, Cayman, and Dubai, and employs over 200 professionals.

A significant challenge as a multi-jurisdictional business is ensuring consistency in our firmwide systems. As part of an ongoing strategy to invest in technologies that would enhance our services, we were actively looking for a modern solution which could offer this consistency and efficiency.

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

Early in 2018, Saffery Trust initiated a project to identify a new software solution that could replace the company’s existing platforms covering bookkeeping, statutory databases, diary systems, timesheets, invoicing, and financial reports. Our objective was to find a single software provider that integrated all these functions.

A fundamental goal of the project was to select software that not only encompassed the main features of the existing systems but also introduced additional functionalities to streamline tasks more effectively. We were also seeking to minimise the volume of manual and paper-based tasks in our processes. This push toward heightened efficiency and enhanced IT infrastructure aligns with the wider ambition within the firm to make better use of technology and innovate through its technological practices.

After a thorough review of different systems, we shortlisted two potential options. PlainSail was identified as the preferred choice for the following reasons:

• PlainSail offered a user-friendly and intuitive interface
• PlainSail was more responsive and faster in completing tasks
• PlainSail had a more flexible and adaptable development process
• PlainSail was more reliable and accurate in storing and reporting data
• As a service provider, PlainSail had a positive and cooperative attitude to work in partnership with us in meeting our needs

What was the implementation/migration process like?

Implementing a firmwide IT system presents multiple challenges and it was a priority for us that there was no disruption to our client service delivery throughout the implementation/migration process. PlainSail understood and appreciated this requirement and met our brief effectively.

As an early TCSP adopter of PlainSail, we worked in partnership with them to support the development of a product we clearly saw had market-leading capabilities. This involved a learning process on both sides, and we appreciated the open and effective communication with PlainSail.

“During the whole process of implementation, through development and in general use, the relationship with the PlainSail team has felt more like a partnership than a client/service provider relationship.”

What tangible benefits have your users experienced since using PlainSail?

With the implementation of workflows in PlainSail, there’s been enhancement in the quality of data capture by identifying and rectifying errors prior to system entry. Additionally, we’ve reduced the minimum required time spent on the billing processes from two weeks to five days, with scope to reduce this further.

What do your users most like about using PlainSail?

Our team members – both client-facing and support staff – have reported that PlainSail provides a user-friendly experience with a straightforward layout. Being able to communicate with the PlainSail team directly has allowed us to implement significant changes tailored to our needs and to enhance productivity through features like workflows, and the automated bookkeeping feeds currently under development.

What is your experience of working with the PlainSail team?

During the whole process of implementation, through development and in general use, the relationship with the PlainSail team has felt more like a partnership than a client/service provider relationship. Strong connections with key personnel in both offices have ensured a continual development program and a strong feeling of teamwork and trust, to the benefit of both parties.

Would you recommend PlainSail?

We would recommend PlainSail for consideration by any TCSP. The system has met our broad needs effectively and the team at PlainSail have been supportive, proactive, and responsive; we are confident that we will enjoy a long-lasting professional relationship with them.