WealthStation offers a simple interface based on a series of tabs at the top of the screen. Clicking on "Clients" brings up a summary screen displaying the client's name and age. It also displays the client's earnings, assets, liabilities and insurance, and provides access to details through a click on a summary line. The categories for data entry and selection of planning techniques are also reached from the tabs. For example, clicking on "Assets" brings up a screen that organizes assets by categories and allows you to enter asset details, annual contributions and yield rates. This screen also displays and provides immediate access to the Concepts and Calculators that have been utilized for the client's planning. The "Comprehensive" tab walks you through the entire client data input and planning process.

The interface provides an overview of current client activities, with the ability to drill down to specifics by portfolio, account and relationships. It provides overviews of the client's assets, relationships and contact information. WealthStation delivers graphic representations of client assets, asset allocations, net worth, and other information related to financial plans and asset holdings.

You may create scenarios that replicate the client database, allowing for different assumptions, techniques and investment returns. You may then generate a comparison report for the scenarios. Because this facility is web-based, you may permit tailored access to data and calculations for the client's various advisors.

The program generates reports in PDF format, which may include proposals, preservation of assets, branding, disclaimers and investment policy. You may choose the degree of detail desired for client reports. Presentations for client education are included.

WealthStation performs a number of calculations based on zCalc, including charitable gift annuity, CLAT/CLUT, GRAT/GRUT, gift tax, installment sale, private annuity, and QPRT. Other calculations include: life expectancy, loan amortization, net unrealized appreciation, RMD, SEPP (72t), stretch IRA, time value of money, taxable vs. deferred, refinance, IRA conversion, critical illness, pension plan and registered payout.

What About Help and Support?

The right-hand area of the screen includes a context-related series of help topics that may be turned on or off. This area displays the help information related to whatever area of the program you've selected from the left side of the screen.

Where Do You Get This Facility?

This service is available from:

SunGard Financial Systems
Phone: 800-825-2518
Website: www.sungard.com/wealthstation

Pricing is based on seat licenses and the number of components and modules utilized. Volume pricing is available.

Bottom Line

WealthStation provides wealth managers with a well-designed web-based facility for portfolio management and a full range of financial, retirement and estate planning tools. It is a high-end sophisticated product with logical and visible navigation and well-organized, easily generated reports.

Trusts & Estates magazine is pleased to present the monthly Technology Review by Donald H. Kelley - a respected connoisseur of the software and Internet resources wealth management advisors use to further their practices.

Kelley is a lawyer living in Highlands Ranch, Colo., and is of counsel to the law firm of Kelley, Scritsmier & Byrne, P.C. of North Platte, Neb. He is the co-author of the Intuitive Estate Planner Software, (Thomson - West 2004). He has served on the governing boards of the American Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section and the American College of Tax Counsel. He is a past regent and past chair of the Committee on Technology in the Practice of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Trusts & Estates has asked Kelley to provide his unvarnished opinions on the tech resources available in the practice today. His columns are edited for readability only. Send feedback and suggestions for articles directly to him at dhkelley@qwestoffice.net.