Utopia

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HiPortfolio Automation

In order to reduce manual intervention, improve efficiency and reduce errors, HiPortfolio processes can be automated by utilising a combination of different scripting technologies. DBFS have many years of experience, streamlining processes and providing improved operational scalability by implementing such technologies.

In order to improve the way scripting automation is implemented, DBFS have created our own unique scripting architecture, Utopia. Utopia allows clients who already utilise scripting to improve their existing architectures and enables clients without the technology or in-house skills, to quickly adopt the power inherent within a scripting solution.

Utopia Scripting Solution

Utopia addresses all common Hiportfolio scripting issues and provides an easily maintainable and robust platform for future scripting changes (either to meet changing business requirements or to cater for upgrades to HiPortfolio.)

Utopia utilises a combination of Korn shell, Expect scripts together with a web-enabled front-end, to allow users to easily configure automated processes. Whether coupled with the clients existing scheduling tools or utilising DBFS’s own scheduling tool, Engage™, Utopia is able to automate almost all Hiportfolio functionality including:

• All overnight batch activity; for example, market price loads, data feed extraction, auto settlement and auto batch generation
• STP processes; for example, Trade flow automation, matching and settlement processes
• All reporting; including overnight, month-end, MIS and client
• Satellite automation
• Automation of business processes; for example, unit pricing, fund take-ons, reconciliations and cash pooling

With Utopia Scripting …

• Each screen is coded into a separate script only once, complete with all error handling and descriptive error messages. If there are screen changes due to HiPortfolio upgrades or patches, multiple developers can work on the scripting changes without impacting one another, also leading to easier identification of the scope of changes
• DBFS provide a unique Utopia front-end for modifying the control files means additional uses of the screen or additions of clients require no new Expect script coding
• The control file allows multiple uses of the same screen with different parameters by simply adding entries to the control file
• The control file also allows options for fund codes (if one is running multiple funds), spool file names and locations, etc.
• Utopia introduces standard error handling and audit logging, ensuring increased control of automated business processes
• All Utopia scripts are developed to use a pool of dedicated HiPortfolio users and the DBFS library contains functions to handle login and password changes and maintenance, all of which are automated.  This allows password handling to meet audit requirements
• Utopia can make use of existing date handling and calendar functionality

To minimise the impact on existing processes, Utopia can be implemented in a phased approach replacing the code within the existing scripts, or replacing existing console based operations, with calls to the new Utopia single screen scripts. Over time the entire scripting environment can be migrated to the new Utopia solution.