PDS Planning Chooses Orion's Sleeve-Level Open-Architecture Trading Platform

OMAHA, Neb., May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- When PDS Planning, Inc., an independent registered investment adviser based out of Columbus, Ohio, began searching for a new portfolio management system, they identified seven particular areas of focus that their new provider would need to meet.

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Of those seven areas, three truly stood out: the first was to create efficiencies in what was a very manual portfolio management process; the second was to integrate their billing processes with their portfolio management system; and thirdly, to offer leading technology solutions to clients, especially those in younger demographics.

The only portfolio management provider to meet PDS Planning's requirements was Orion Advisor Services, LLC ("Orion"). After a longer than expected six-month sales process, the choice came down to either Orion or another industry-leading portfolio management system; increasing operational efficiency and presenting a more intuitive and engaging client experience ultimately played the winning hand for Orion.

"When comparing Orion against other portfolio management systems, the first comment we had was that it seemed as though Orion took a little more simplistic road in laying out the usefulness of the software," said Rita Itsell, principal of PDS Planning. "The simplicity of how the components work together was attractive without being overbearing. Sometimes you can have too much information."

Aside from ease of use for clients and internal staff alike, PDS Planning placed a premium on the trading capabilities Orion offers, including the nation's only open architecture portfolio management platform to offer sleeve-level functionality for trading, reporting, billing and more.

"More than anything, Orion will make us more efficient by having better trade order management systems, where we can quickly see if any accounts are out of position. Orion offers us a more robust rebalancing tool, enhancing our ability and outpacing many of its competitors," said Kurt Brown, CFA, and PDS Planning's Senior Analyst and Assistant Portfolio Manager.

Over the next year, PDS Planning plans to incorporate even more of Orion's offering into their everyday business practice. Among those offerings is more integration with other software providers that PDS uses, including migrating to Junxure Cloud so they can utilize Orion's software platform, Orion Connect, from within their Junxure CRM system.

The firm also plans to release a new client portal and custom-branded mobile app to increase access for their clients.

"One of our biggest priories over the next year is technology. Making this available to generations we are now serving who are electronic and want all their assets in one place, that becomes attractive to us from a competitive standpoint," Itsell said. "Now someone regardless of age has access to their information from anywhere, regardless of location."

For more information about other Orion products or to speak with a company representative, please contact Jami Schlicher at 973-850-7309 or [email protected].

About PDS Planning
In 1985, a group of financial experts came together and rallied around a simple idea:
To help people eliminate the stress usually associated with planning for their financial future. We wanted to make things less complicated. We knew that if we could help people understand things better, they could make better decisions. If they made better decisions, they could feel more comfortable. And if they felt more comfortable, they could move more confidently toward achieving their goals. It's a pretty simple idea, really. And it's the idea that has guided us at PDS Planning, Inc. from the very beginning. Today, PDS Planning is an independently owned, Registered Investment Advisory firm with clients in 24 states. 

We are consistently ranked among the top fee-only financial planning firms in central Ohio. And we're recognized as one of the top independent fee-only wealth management firms in the country.

About Orion Advisor Services, LLC
Orion Advisor Services, LLC is the premier portfolio accounting service provider for advisors. The firm has unique insights into the advisory profession because it was founded for investment advisors by an investment advisor in 1999. Orion frees advisors from back-office tedium so they can enjoy their business again by devoting their time and energy to better serving clients. Orion provides the integrated and fully customizable technology solutions that advisors need to grow their businesses over the long term. The firm's technology solutions empower more than 400 advisory firms with total assets under administration in excess of $150 billion from more than 650,000 individual accounts.

For more information about Orion Advisor Services, LLC, visit www.orionadvisor.com or follow Orion at @orionadvisor.

CONTACT: Jami Schlicher
Jennifer Connelly Public Relations
973-850-7309
[email protected]

SOURCE Orion Advisor Services, LLC