Our continued success relies upon our commitment to invest in the latest technology and systems available.

Since the formation of HS in 1984 we have had a close working relationship with our software provider, Profund Systems Ltd. Indeed we are the only Third Party Administrator that has acted as a sales agent for Profund Systems Limited within the UK. This partnership has enabled us to successfully use PROFUND on a third party basis to a highly technical level.

Pensions Administration

PROFUND is the core administration system and our expertise is based on 20 years experience of PROFUND programming.

Treasury and Accounts

HS has developed a highly sophisticated accounts system, PENFAX, specifically for the pensions market.

PENFAX is used for our third party pensions accounting service and is also sold commercially to companies who wish to operate their own in-house pension accounting system.

Pensioner Payroll

Building upon the functionality of the PROFUND suite of systems, we also use the PROPAY pensioner payroll module. The two modules share a common database, which facilitates full integration of both systems.

Infrastructure

The systems architecture operating at HS has been designed in such a way that it is responsive to the needs of users and provides resilience and scalability.

All systems are PC based with extensive use made of Microsoft operating systems, desktop tools and back office services.

We have adopted an Enterprise approach to our systems architecture, making consistent use of standard components throughout all parts of the organisation. Compliance with existing architecture is a mandatory requirement for all projects involving IT.

Our Enterprise approach to IT systems means that we bring added value support facilities and services to customers in a controlled way using our resources efficiently and economically. This maintains service levels through transitions from current systems to those that will supercede them.

Investment

Over the last year we have introduced a new imaging and workflow system, FORMSCAN's Continuity software, which is now fully operational. Continuity is regarded as the leader in its field.

Also, as part of our long-term strategy to support the needs of our clients, now and into the future, we have invested in Profund Systems Limited's latest pensions administration platform, oPen, the most advanced pensions administration system in the market.

Continuity, oPen and our accounting package, PENFAX, have the same underlying technology. This has allowed us to achieve full integration of all the different components, which in turn has enabled us to:

• enhance client service
• improve administration practices
• provide a greater range of services

We will continue to invest in market leading technology in order to ensure that our service is carried out as accurately, efficiently and cost effectively as possible.