/  News & Announcements

		Linksfield provides Burdale Financial with an electronic interface into Barclays and JP Morgan banking systems 23 Jun 2008 Linksfield has written a custom electronic interface for Burdale Financial (part of the Bank of Ireland Group), to automatically submit UK same day payments, US payments and international payments into the Barclays and JP Morgan banking systems – saving Burdale staff significant time originally spent re-keying data and reconciling records.     More ... Burdale Financial Ltd has been a UK leader in comprehensive asset based lending since 1992 and became a member of the Bank of Ireland Group in January 2005. Having recently launched its new collateral management system for its back office, procured with the help of Linksfield Technologies, Burdale has subsequently looked at further operational efficiency improvements within its business operations. Linksfield has now assisted Burdale to reduce the menial re-keying of scheduled payment transactions (and the inevitable human errors and reconciliation time that results), by building an electronic interface between its back office system and its primary banking systems (Barclays and JP Morgan, covering both UK and US offices). Nigel Hogg, Director at Burdale, said: "Linksfield worked with us to identify the key information we had to transfer to the various banking systems, and defined the workflow around these payment transactions (which include UK same day payments, US payments, and international payments). They then worked successfully with the technical teams at both Barclays and JP Morgan to establish the best data formats to use for our payment types, and also ensured the important security and cross checking requirements were met. The system provides all the necessary reconciliation reports we need, and also has the capacity to expand to other banking interfaces in future. The project has gone very smoothly and we are delighted with the benefits that we are seeing."     Hide...
		Affirmative Finance Chooses Linksfield’s FSR Checker 19 Mar 2008 Affirmative Finance has chosen Linskfield’s FSR Checker to automate its compliance processes, for its simplicity and ease of implementation, and is saving time from doing its compliance checks manually.     More ... Financial institutions in the UK, such as Affirmative Finance, must comply with recent UK and EU regulations for anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing. Compliance must ensure that customer lists are regularly compared to the published HM Treasury list of financial sanctions targets, which is updated regularly at undefined intervals. Without an IT system in place to automate these checks the process can be a time consuming burden for any business, since the checks not only need to be done when a customer is first taken on, but on an ongoing basis through the lifetime of the relationship with that customer. Affirmative Finance has chosen Linksfield’s FSR Checker to automate this process. Says Paul Mitchell, Financial Director of Affirmative Finance, “It is incredibly useful to have an automated tool that instantaneously checks our borrowers against the Financial Sanctions Register. The attraction for Affirmative to choose Linksfield’s product was its simplicity – there may be more comprehensive products on the market checking against a wider set of targets, but Linksfield’s solution integrates very easily with our systems and provides the necessary checks for FSA compliance. And, as Linksfield have completed successful IT projects for us in the past, it was a welcomed choice to implement their FSR Checker. Now we can meet the requirements of the UK’s regulatory framework, while saving time from doing it manually.” For more information on Linksfield’s FSR Checker click here     Hide...
		Cheval Property Finance Implements Linksfield’s FSR Checker to Comply with Anti-Money Laundering Initiatives 7 Feb 2008 Following recent UK and EU directives for anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing strategies, Cheval Property Finance became one of Linksfield Technologies’ first clients to use the FSR Checker product.     More ... Following the UK and EU directives on 15 December 2007 for anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financial strategies, Cheval Property Finance became one of Linksfield Technologies’ first clients to use the FSR Checker. Linksfield’s FSR Checker automates the comparison of Cheval’s customer and applicant lists against HM Treasury’s list of financial sanctions targets through a web service application. Says Alan Margolis, Legal & Compliance Director, “With Linksfield’s FSR Checker we can demonstrate to our funding banks and to the FSA that we are compliant with anti money-laundering and anti-terrorist legislation and directives. Not only do we meet our compliance obligations and legal requirements with the FSR Checker, we are also now better equipped to protect Cheval from fraud and reputational damage. The automated process that Linksfield installed has been effortless on our part, with installation and setup taking less than a day.” Linksfield has also integrated the FSR Checker into Cheval’s electronic front office system, with twice weekly batch checks against Cheval’s entire customer base.     Hide...
		Linksfield Technologies Launches FSR Checker 28 Jan 2008 Following new statutory regulations from the UK and EU, Linksfield Technologies has launched its novel Financial Sanctions Register (FSR) Checker for Financial Institutions, to automate checks of customers against HM Treasury’s list of financial sanctions targets.     More ... Following new statutory regulations from the UK and EU which came into effect in the UK on 15 December 2007, Linksfield Technologies has launched the Financial Sanctions Register Checker for Financial Institutions and for other organisations needing to meet the new requirements, such as charities. The FSR Checker automates checks from HM Treasury’s list of financial sanctions targets against the Financial Institution’s own customer lists, checking for a range of matches against UN, UK and EU targets defined by HM Treasury’s Asset Freezing Unit . A lightweight solution that is more cost effective and less effort to implement than other financial sanctions products, Linksfield’s FSR Checker is a web service with proprietary search algorithms and secure encryption, whose target list is updated nightly. In addition to Linksfield’s web service (which the Financial Institution’s IT systems can talk directly with), Linksfield also provides the Financial Institution with an optional software application that compares their customer lists with updates from the HM Treasury’s list of financial sanctions targets. Checks can be scheduled to run at regular intervals for batch searches while individual or ad hoc searches can also be performed. Linskfield’s FSR Checker also provides a facility to manage ‘false positive’ matches. Searches are paid for on a subscription and “per search” basis. In a statement warning of higher risk of money laundering and terrorist financing to the HM Treasury says “The Money Laundering Regulations 2007 require firms to put in place policies, procedures or systems that prevent money laundering or terrorist financing.” For more information on Financial Sanctions from the HM Treasury please visit HM Treasury’s Asset Freezing Unit.     Hide...
		The Medivet Group, one of the largest veterinary partnerships in the UK, awards Linksfield a number of software projects. 24 Jan 2008 The Medivet Group, comprising 44 partners, 110 vets and circa 500 staff spanning 60 practices, has appointed Linksfield Technologies to deliver a number of key internal software projects.     More ... The Medivet Group is one of the largest veterinary partnerships in the UK, comprising 44 partners, 110 vets and circa 500 staff spanning 60 practices. Founded in 1986, the Group has always prided itself on its use of technology, employing leading edge systems to assist in the delivery of excellent patient care. Medivet is continuing to invest in and develop its internal systems, and has appointed Linksfield Technologies to deliver a number of key internal software projects, including a revamped website for the Medivet Group built on a new Content Management System. Managing Partner Arnold Levy said: "We are delighted to be working with Linksfield, a Microsoft Gold Partner, in our ongoing programme to further enhance a range of internal systems. This will not only retain our position at the forefront of using technology to maximum effect within our continually expanding group, but also assist our ultimate goal of continual improvements in our service to our clients and their pets".     Hide...
		Linksfield sponsors Team Saffa in their Plymouth - Dakar challenge 17 Dec 2007 Linksfield is proud to announce its sponsorship of Team Saffa, who are participating in Group 5 of the Plymouth - Dakar charity challenge in January 2008.     More ... Linksfield is proud to announce its sponsorship of Team Saffa, who are participating in Group 5 of the Plymouth - Dakar charity challenge in January 2008. The challenge entails buying a car and driving it four and a half thousand miles across Europe and North Africa, battling snow and desert along the way, to Bamako in Mali. On arrival, the Rotary Club auctions the car off for local charities. The challenge has proved so successful that it has already raised over £100,000 for these charities in Mali and Gambia. Trevor Glaister, Linksfield staff member and a participant in Team Saffa, said "We are tackling this in a 1988 Suzuki Samurai SJ413, a tiny 1300cc 4x4 with a top speed of 50 miles an hour (70 mph down a greased mineshaft with a tail wind!). Chosen for its rugged nature and 4 wheel drive, she will allow us to tackle the more difficult routes like the beach run through Mauritania and the desert crossing to Timbuktu, before getting us safely down to Bamako where she will fetch a handsome sum to be put towards building a school or hospital or some other basic service to the community. A fitting finale for a car that has given the previous 13 owners transport and enjoyment!. Linksfield has kindly sponsored us to help us on this epic journey". Linksfield wishes Trevor and the rest of Team Saffa an easy run!     Hide...
		Linksfield achieves Microsoft Gold Partner status! 26 November 2007 Linksfield Technologies is delighted to announce it has qualified as a Microsoft Gold Partner, the highest Partner tier recognised by Microsoft, and one atttained by only 2% of Microsoft Partners internationally.     More ... Linksfield Technologies is delighted to announce it has qualified as a Microsoft Gold Partner, the highest Partner tier recognised by Microsoft, and one atttained by only 2% of Microsoft Partners internationally. The process of accreditation to the Microsoft Gold Partner status includes substantive staff training and certified qualifations, along with customer references across a broad range of installed solutions and successfully delivered technical projects. As part of this process, Linksfield has also attained formal competencies in the following four areas: Custom Development Solutions, Business Process and Integration Solutions, Data Management and Small Business Services.     Hide...
		Linksfield builds Backup Boss offering for Sage Line 50 Customers 24 September 2007 Linksfield Technologies was chosen by Backup Boss to build, implement and host an innovative online backup solution for customers using Sage’s accounting software product Sage Line 50.     More ... Linksfield Technologies was chosen by Backup Boss (www.backupboss.com) to build, implement and host an innovative online backup solution for customers using Sage’s accounting software product Sage Line 50. Backup Boss has recently launched their services in the UK, aiming to address the online backup and restore needs of small and medium sized companies - starting with Sage Line 50 users. Says Larry Shapiro of Linksfield, “If your company uses Sage Line 50 and you are faced with implementing manual backups of your accounting data, then Backup Boss for Sage Line 50 offers a far easier and more efficient way to secure your data.” Backup Boss offers a subscription based service that provides users with a secure, automated backup solution which can be scheduled by the user. Stored data can also be shared with the user’s accountant, through password controls, giving time saving advantages to SME’s and their accountants. Important backups, such as year-end accounts, can also be marked for non-deletion. Continues Shapiro, “We’ve built a secure and robust application that understands Sage Line 50, and that has the necessary intelligence to take the pain out of getting accounting data in and out of a company.”     Hide...
		Linksfield Implements Office Move with No Down Time for Wealth Management Group, Stenham 1 August 2007 Linksfield was chosen to plan and implement all technical and communications requirements of Stenham's recent office move in London.     More ... Stenham, an independent wealth management group established in 1901, provides private clients and institutions with a range of alternative wealth products. When this award-winning firm moved its London offices in July 2007, bringing 85 team members together into a new central office in Great Portland Street, it was critical that all technical aspects of the move go smoothly. Stenham needed to continually provide seamless communications between their clients and management, and allow their staff continued access to market information and communications without any ‘down time’. Linksfield Technologies, a technology consultancy and software solutions provider, was chosen to plan and implement all technical and communications requirements of the move. Linksfield managed all technology aspects of the move including networking & cabling, telecoms, server room fit-out and audio-visual equipment. Their brief also included setting up all the new workstations, and relocation / migration of the full infrastructure and all business systems. The project was in planning for four months prior to the move to ensure minimal downtime. Linksfield implemented the move (in concert with other third party contractors, such as Hyground and Workpl@ce), over the weekend of 21-22 July, 2007 Said Darryl Noik, Stenham's Group Chief Operating Officer, "The technology aspects of the office move were facilitated very effectively by Linksfield, with minimal disruption to our staff. Between the time we closed at end of business on Friday at our previous office, and returned to work again on Monday morning at our new office, there were no hitches to prevent us from carrying on business as usual. Linksfield's world class service, thoroughness, attention to detail, and focus on the user were commendable! Just to make it more difficult we used Linksfield to launch our new n:website> on the day of the move ( www.stenham.com) ”.     Hide...
		Linksfield Technologies re-launches website 2 July 2007 The web site www.linksfield.com has been re-launched to reflect updated information on the company's consulting services and software products.     More ... The web site www.linksfield.com has been re-launched to reflect updated information on the company's consulting services and software products. Client Case Studies have been expanded to include updated editions, and cover a variety of the service areas offered by Linksfield. A new addition to the site is the 'Techknowledge' section of articles written by technology consultants at Linksfield. “In looking at new ways to add value to our wider audiences of clients and partners, we are aiming for our articles on Techknowledge to share information and content on a small range of relevant, contemporary IT issues,” says Larry Shapiro, Director at Linksfield. The re-launch of a separate n:website> for key-facts.com, a novel online service from Linksfield aimed at Mortgage Lenders, is currently in development.     Hide...
		Equity Trust awards Linksfield new technology consultancy projects 16 April 2007 Equity Trust, the world's leading trust and fiduciary services group, has awarded Linksfield a variety of technology projects, including project management, procurement of new technology systems / services, technical due diligence, and advice on best practices.     More ... Equity Trust is the world's leading trust and fiduciary services group, supporting high net worth individuals, corporations and intermediaries all over the world. The company currently operates in 30 key jurisdictions, spanning Europe, the UK, Channel Islands, Asia-Pacific, Caribbean and Americas. Since 2003, Linksfield has worked with the Group IT function to provide niche expertise and support on a project basis, across the breadth of Linksfield's consultancy and software service offerings. The variety of recent projects awarded to Linksfield include project management of new infrastructure developments, assisting to procure new technology systems / services across new n:website> and Intranet platforms, assisting with technical due diligence relating to acquisitions, and advising on best practices where appropriate. Kate Brehaut, Group Head of IT, said: "We have worked with Linksfield since 2003, when they assisted us with technical due diligence relating to our demerger from the Insinger Group. Since then, they have worked on a range of technology consultancy and technical implementation projects, spanning infrastructure and business systems alike . Notably, Linksfield supported us in 2005 with the technology aspects of our successful acquisition and integration of the ABN Amro Trust group, across 8 countries. As our ongoing projects show, we continue to be impressed by Linksfield's breadth of technical expertise, professionalism and flexibility to react to and support the changing needs of our dynamic and ever-evolving company."     Hide...
		Linksfield Technologies Supplies Fractional IT Director Service to the Stenham Group 2 January 2007 (London, UK) Stenham, an international wealth management organisation, has appointed Linksfield Technologies to become its ‘Fractional IT Director’.     More ... Stenham, an international wealth management organisation, has appointed Linksfield Technologies to become its ‘Fractional IT Director’. The appointment is intended to support the recent rapid growth of the Stenham Group, by strengthening the company’s IT strategy and management function. Linksfield will be responsible for managing the day-to-day IT function across the group, and will provide overall strategic direction for Stenham’s IT Infrastructure and Business Systems. “We’re very excited to be working with the talented team at Linksfield and to be benefiting from their expert advice and experience in relation to our IT strategy,” says Michael Fienberg, Stenham Group Managing Director. “Our staff and management are already working with Linksfield, formulating our IT roadmap and implementing best practices for our IT platforms going forward, to enhance both our internal systems as well as our customer-facing systems”.     Hide...
		Linksfield Technologies Awarded Microsoft Certified Partner Status 6 October 2006 (London, UK) Linksfield Technologies is proud to announce it has qualified as a Microsoft Certified Partner and achieved both the Custom Development Solutions Competency and the Business Process and Integration Solutions Competency.     More ... Linksfield Technologies is proud to announce it has qualified as a Microsoft Certified Partner and achieved both the Custom Development Solutions Competency and the Business Process and Integration Solutions Competency. Says Linksfield Director Jonathan Shapiro, “This is a fabulous acknowledgement from one of the key software players in the industry. We’ve always been confident that our consultancy and technology services have met the highest technology standards and, even more significantly, our clients’ demanding standards as well. We’re delighted to now have this formally recognised.” Part of the process of accreditation to the Microsoft Partner Program involves customer references and rigorous standards of excellence on technical capability. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.     Hide...
		Outsights enables collaborative work flow with Linksfield Technologies and MS SharePoint 14 August 2006 (London, UK) Outsights, a strategic management consultancy, uses Linksfield’s technology to implement its MS SharePoint as both an intranet for its consultants and as an extranet for client-facing projects.     More ... Outsights, a strategic management consultancy, uses Linksfield’s technology to implement its MS SharePoint as both an intranet for its consultants and as an extranet for client-facing projects. Linksfield was appointed by Outsights to configure and implement the framework for several collaborative features such as access to company announcements, version control of documents, staff contact lists, picture libraries, content rich information and more. Benefits to Outsights include real time sharing of information allowing consultants, based client-side around the globe, to work in a collaborative manner. Linksfield sourced a hosting solution for Outsights SharePoint services, and completed configuration and integration of this project within a few weeks.     Hide...
		Affirmative Finance Selects Linksfield Technologies' Key Facts Illustration Solution 12 April 2006 (London, UK) Affirmative Finance, the short term / bridging finance house, announced that they will join industry leaders in implementing online Key Facts Illustrations to comply with recent FSA standards.     More ... Affirmative Finance, the short term / bridging finance house, announced that they will join industry leaders in implementing online Key Facts Illustrations to comply with recent FSA standards. Choosing Linksfield Technologies' novel key-facts.comTM service as the basis for their new intermediary portal, Affirmative will launch their service to their brokers at the end of July 2006. Says MD Eugene Esterkin, "We are a rapidly expanding lender and having an advanced software solution for KFI generation has become paramount. The key-facts.comTM service facilitates a quicker turn-around for our intermediaries, allowing them to create their KFI documentation independently and speedily." Read our case study with Affirmative Finance.     Hide...
		United Trust Bank integrates their Business Systems with the aid of Linksfield Technologies 2 February 2006 (London, UK) United Trust Bank has completed the systems integration of three of their front office and back office systems, having retained Linksfield Technologies to provide them with consultancy and implementation services.     More ... United Trust Bank has completed the systems integration of three of their front office and back office systems, having retained Linksfield Technologies to provide them with consultancy and implementation services. The work has included tight integration of UTB's Deposits and Loans systems, the introduction of a new Document Management and Workflow solution, and the further automation of end of day tasks. Graham Davin, CEO of United Trust Bank, said: "We are committed to using established and tested technology to deliver effective service to our customers. Having reached the point of having several individual systems that were not integrated, we sought advice from Linksfield to help us to frame an overall systems architecture. They have assisted us to implement that integration, and we are impressed by their breadth of knowledge, professionalism and the fact that they delivered what they promised."     Hide...
		Burdale Financial Ltd Launches New Collateral Management System 10 January 2006 (London, UK) Burdale Financial Ltd recently launched their new collateral management system for their back office.     More ... Burdale Financial Ltd recently launched their new collateral management system for their back office. The system, procured with the help of Linksfield Technologies after a formal RFI and RFP procurement process, went live according to plan, within budget and on time. Burdale has been a UK leader in comprehensive asset based lending since 1992 and became a member of the Bank of Ireland Group in January 2005. Dennis Levine, CEO of Burdale, said: "Linksfield have worked for us in an IT consultancy capacity since 2002. When we needed to procure this new system, Linksfield assisted us to define our requirements, research vendors in the market, manage the procurement process, and project manage the installation without affecting our day-to-day running. The project has gone very smoothly and we are delighted with the new system."     Hide...
		Linksfield launches new technology recruitment division 4 Jan 2006 (London, UK) Linksfield Technologies Ltd announces the launch of Linksfield Resourcing, a high quality recruitment service for companies sourcing permanent, contract and interim IT staff.     More ... Linksfield Technologies Ltd announces the launch of Linksfield Resourcing, a high quality recruitment service for companies sourcing permanent, contract and interim IT staff. Through the client base of parent company, Linksfield Technologies, the new division of Linksfield Resourcing has access to placements for clients across both private and public sectors. Director of Linksfield Technologies, Larry Shapiro says, "Our clients have been asking us to assist them with their technical resourcing requirements for some time now, alongside our existing consultancy, software development and project execution capabilities. As IT consultants we are in an extremely strong position to understand our clients’ needs and we are thrilled to offer this new added value service to our clients and to other companies needing technical resourcing." Linksfield Resourcing ensures that all interviews are carried out by experienced technical staff, in order to qualify and vet suitable candidates based on what the client's technical requirements are. For further details please visit www.linksfieldresourcing.com or call Gayle Eden on tel. +44 (0)20 8492 3570     Hide...
		Linksfield Technologies Installs Microsoft DIS Box for Runnymede Borough Council 6 December, 2005 (London, UK) Linksfield Technologies have concluded the installation of Production and Reference DIS Boxes for Runnymede Borough Council in the UK, based on the Microsoft DIS box platform.     More ... Linksfield Technologies have concluded the installation of Production and Reference DIS Boxes for Runnymede Borough Council in the UK, based on the Microsoft DIS box platform. As part of the Cabinet Office's Government Gateway programme, a Departmental Interface Server (DIS) enables local authorities like Runnymede to conduct secure transactions with other government departments via the Government Gateway's backbone infrastructure. Linksfield Technologies is now working with Runnymede to assist them in putting a host of services online for their citizens, in keeping with the e-Government agenda and priority outcomes. Nigel Watson, Head of ICT at Runnymede, said: "The selection of the Microsoft DIS solution made a compelling case for Runnymede, based on price and performance. The installation by Linksfield has gone very smoothly, on time and on budget, and we found Linksfield’s consultancy and integration services invaluable. The Microsoft DIS box enables us to provide unique, secure logins to our constituents on Runnymede's own n:website>, to eliminate the need for multiple usernames and passwords when transacting with government generally and with Runnymede's online services in particular."     Hide...
		Tandridge District Council launches online Council Tax solution supported by Linksfield Technologies 10 November 2005 (London, UK) Tandrige District Council has announced that residents of the local Surrey council can now view and manage their Council Tax online.     More ... Tandrige District Council has announced that residents of the local Surrey council can now view and manage their Council Tax online. Underpinning this technology is Gandlake's Citizen's Account system for online delivery of council tax bills, which Linksfield Technologies assisted Tandridge to procure - and then supported Tandridge with its delivery. The solution will initially provide online access to Council Tax and Business Rate balances, with accessibility to Rents and Sundry Debtors balances being added during the course of 2006. Allowing its constituents to see these balances online is part of an overall plan by Tandridge to improve local services and achieve greater efficiencies within the council. Stuart Mitchenall, Head of ICT at Tandridge, said, “Linksfield spent time with us to understand our strategic direction, and provided us with added value and good old-fashioned customer service throughout the implementation. We ‘ve been impressed with their extensive knowledge of the billing space and the e-Government programme, and this has helped us join the e-Government guidelines seamlessly.”     Hide...
		Cheval Property Finance integrates key-facts.com into its new Intermediary Portal 10 October 2005 (London, UK) Cheval Property Finance, the London based bridging finance lender, leads the bridging mortgage industry in compliance with FSA standards for Key Facts Illustrations (KFI’s).     More ... Cheval Property Finance, the London based bridging finance lender, leads the bridging mortgage industry in compliance with FSA standards for Key Facts Illustrations (KFI’s). Since ‘Mortgage Day’ standards became law in November 2004, Cheval has used Linksfield Technologies' web-based KFI system on www.key-facts.com, to provide FSA compliant documentation for regulated mortgage contracts to its broker community. Authorised Intermediaries registered on Cheval's new portal can now seamlessly link through to this KFI system using leading-edge Web service technology, making Cheval Property Finance one of the first bridging finance lenders to fully integrate online KFI's. Benson Hersch, Managing Director of Cheval, said "We have been working hard to make bridging more accessible to brokers. Linksfield Technologies' key-facts.com solution has neatly integrated into our broker portal, providing our brokers with all the tools they need to submit applications to us electronically and get their applications turned around quickly and efficiently. This not only offers competitive advantage for our brokers but also assists them to be fully KFI compliant." Read our case study with Cheval Property Finance.     Hide...
		OneVu appoints Linksfield as a reseller for its new Electronic Bill Presentation and Payment Consolidation Service 5 September 2005 (London, UK) Linksfield Technologies and OneVu have concluded an agreement for Linksfield to resell OneVu's services into the UK market, with specific focus on the government sector.     More ... Linksfield Technologies and OneVu have concluded an agreement for Linksfield to resell OneVu's services into the UK market, with specific focus on the government sector. OneVu is the UK’s first consolidated electronic bill presentment and payment service which lets consumers see, track and pay all their bills securely within their online banking environment. OneVu is a joint venture between Voca (formerly BACS Ltd), the UK’s largest electronic payments clearing house, and CheckFree Corporation (Nasdaq: CKFR), a provider of financial electronic commerce services and products to organisations around the world. Martin Kearsley, CEO for OneVu, said "Linksfield Technologies has developed real expertise in the fields of electronic bill presentment and payment as well as bill consolidation.We are delighted to be working with them in this reseller partnership, under which Linksfield will resell the OneVu service alongside their acknowledged consulting and systems integration services."     Hide...