at Financial Technnology Year
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Features in Economic Research Platforms
for Investment Strategy & Asset Allocation
Comprehensive databases and analytical tools focused on macroeconomic indicators, central bank policies, and global economic trends to inform top-down investment strategy and asset allocation decisions.
We ask vendors to mark their product against our feature list. It is not available for all products and in some cases we have derived data from publicly available sources. The list of features follows. Vendors can add a further 10 key features of their own.
Analytics & Modelling Tools
Functionality supporting analysis, modeling, and scenario simulation.
- Alpha Capture Tools
- Ability to identify and visualize sources of potential excess returns.
- Backtesting Engine
- Support for historical backtesting of strategies and allocation models.
- Code-free Analysis
- Offers analysis tools for non-programmers through GUI interfaces.
- Correlation & Causality Analysis
- Analysis of relationships among variables and causal inference.
- Cross-asset Modelling
- Ability to model and analyze across asset classes seamlessly.
- Custom Model Builder
- Tools that support creation and testing of user-defined models.
- Factor Analysis
- Ability to analyze economic or investment factors.
- Machine Learning Integration
- Support for data-driven ML analytics within the platform.
- Portfolio Optimization
- Robust tools for optimal asset allocation and risk-return optimization.
- Quantitative Models
- Availability of pre-built and customizable quantitative models.
- Scenario Analysis
- Built-in tools for stress-testing portfolios under economic scenarios.
- Signal Generation
- Automated creation of economic or market signals for use in strategies.
- Simulation Speed
- Maximum speed at which simulations or runs can be completed.
Collaboration & Workflow
Facilitating communication and workflow among team members and stakeholders.
- Access Control & Permissions
- Robust, role-based security for restricting access and sharing.
- Activity Notifications
- Alerts for changes, comments, or team activity.
- Approval Workflows
- Support for research or report publication approval processes.
- Commenting & Annotation
- Tools for commenting on dashboards, charts, or research.
- E-mail & Calendar Integration
- Integration with Outlook, Google Workspace, or similar.
- Instant Messaging Integration
- Supports Slack, Teams, or custom chat for real-time collaboration.
- Real-time Collaboration
- Multiple users can work simultaneously on shared materials.
- Shared Workspaces
- Ability to create and share project or research workspaces among teams.
- Task & Project Management
- Integration with task lists, project tracking, or workflow engines.
- Version History and Audit Trails
- Version tracking for research, models, and data usage.
Cost & Licensing
Pricing structures, transparency, and total cost of ownership factors.
- Cancellation Terms Transparency
- Clear, upfront terms for cancellation and exit.
- Contract Length Flexibility
- Options for short-term, annual, or multi-year contracts.
- Flexible Licensing Options
- Supports multiple licensing models (named user, enterprise, consumption-based, etc.).
- Migration Cost Support
- Provider assistance or incentives for migration from legacy platforms.
- Tiered Feature Bundles
- Core vs. premium tiers available to match user needs and budgets.
- Transparent Pricing
- Clearly published and understandable fee schedules.
- Trial or Sandbox Access
- Prospective users can try the platform with demo data before purchase.
- Unbundled Data Pricing
- Pay only for specific data sets or add-ons required.
- Usage/Consumption Metering
- Ability to track and report on data/feature consumption in real time.
- Volume Discount Availability
- Discounts available for large contracts or long duration agreements.
Data Coverage
The breadth and depth of economic and financial data sources available within the platform.
- Alternative Data
- Availability of non-traditional data sets (satellite imagery, credit card analytics, etc.).
- ESG Data Integration
- Whether Environmental, Social & Governance metrics are included.
- Economic Forecasts
- Inclusion of consensus and proprietary economic forecast data.
- Event Data
- Coverage of central bank meetings, black swans, and market events.
- Frequency of Updates
- How frequently the data sets are updated.
- Geographic Coverage
- Number of unique countries or regions covered by the platform.
- Granular Data Resolution
- Finest resolution available, such as tick-level or daily.
- Historical Depth
- How far back time series data extends.
- Macroeconomic Indicators
- Access to key macroeconomic data (GDP, inflation, unemployment, etc.) from global sources.
- Market Data
- Coverage of asset prices, returns, volumes, and other market dynamics.
- Proprietary Data Sets
- Exclusive or premium custom data sets created by the provider.
- Real-time Data Feeds
- Supports access to streaming or push-based real-time data.
- Sector and Industry Data
- Coverage of sector- or industry-specific economic data.
- Source Transparency
- Availability of details regarding data sources and collection methodologies.
Integration & Interoperability
Supports ingestion and output of data and analytics into the user’s technology stack.
- API Access
- RESTful or Python/R API for extracting platform data and analytics.
- Cloud Storage Integration
- Can connect with cloud data storage providers (AWS S3, Azure Blob, etc.).
- Connectors for BI Tools
- Native integrations with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Qlik.
- Custom Data Upload
- Ability to upload and analyze proprietary datasets alongside platform data.
- Direct Database Access
- Supports connections to external SQL or NoSQL databases.
- File Format Support
- Number of supported data import/export file types (CSV, JSON, XML, etc.).
- Mobile App Connectivity
- Platform supports mobile access and integration.
- Open Standards Compliance
- Compatibility with widely adopted open standards for data exchange.
- Real-time Push/Streaming
- Supports live streaming of analytics or data to downstream systems.
- Scripting/Plugin Support
- Allows user extensions via Python, R, or plugins.
Performance & Reliability
Attributes relating to platform scalability, response times, and system uptime.
- 24/7 Platform Monitoring
- Vendor provides round-the-clock platform health monitoring.
- Concurrent User Support
- Maximum number of users supported at once.
- Data Throughput
- Maximum volume of data processes per second.
- Disaster Recovery RPO/RTO
- Recovery Point and Recovery Time Objectives in case of outage.
- Page Load Speed
- Average time to load key dashboards/reports.
- Query Latency
- Typical latency for user queries or report refreshes.
- Real-time Failover
- Automatic failover to redundant systems for high-availability.
- Resource Usage Monitoring
- Built-in monitoring for platform/system resource usage.
- Scaling Capacity
- Max number of data series or size of data sets handled.
- Uptime Guarantee
- Service-level uptime commitment from vendor.
Reporting & Visualization
Features that facilitate creation and distribution of analytical reports and visualizations.
- API Report Access
- Reports and visualizations accessible via API.
- Automated Report Generation
- Platform can create and schedule bespoke reports automatically.
- Charting & Graphing
- Wide range of customizable charts and graphs.
- Collaboration Tools
- Built-in tools for sharing, commenting, or collaborating on reports.
- Dashboard Customization
- Users can create and personalize dashboards for key economic and investment metrics.
- Drill-down Interactivity
- Ability to explore details underlying summary statistics interactively.
- Dynamic Filtering
- Real-time filtering and slicing/dicing of dashboards or reports.
- Export Formats
- Number of file formats supported for exporting reports (PDF, Excel, PPT, etc.).
- Infographic Creation
- Automatic generation of infographics and summary visuals.
- Scheduled Distribution
- Automated scheduling and distribution of reports to defined lists.
- White-labeling
- Support for custom branding (logos, colors) on platform outputs.
Research Content & Insights
Provision of curated expert research, thematic, and event-driven insights.
- Analyst Access
- Direct access to research analysts for Q&A or briefings.
- Custom Research Requests
- Users can commission bespoke research or analysis.
- Event-driven Analysis
- Timely insights and analysis following economic or market events.
- Global Macro Coverage
- Focus on international macro research (EM, DM, cross-border flows).
- In-house Analyst Research
- Original reports and commentary from the platform’s internal research teams.
- Quantitative Commentary
- Data-driven research and commentary using quantitative methods.
- Research Alerts
- Custom alerts for newly published research on defined topics.
- Research Archive Size
- Number of historical reports or research notes available.
- Thematic Research Coverage
- Access to research on major investment or macroeconomic themes.
- Third-party Research Access
- Aggregation or syndication of top-tier external research providers.
Security & Compliance
Measures to safeguard data and ensure regulatory, privacy, and audit compliance.
- Audit Logs
- Detailed logging of data access, downloads, and user actions.
- Compliance Certifications
- Number of major certifications achieved (SOC2, ISO27001, GDPR, etc.).
- Data Encryption
- All data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
- Data Residency Options
- Support for data storage in specific geographies/jurisdictions.
- Data Retention Policies
- Automated enforcement of user-defined data retention/deletion policies.
- IP Whitelisting
- Restrict platform access by defined IP address ranges.
- Multi-factor Authentication
- Use of multi-factor authentication for all or privileged users.
- Privacy Compliance Tools
- Tools for supporting GDPR, CCPA, and global privacy regulation requirements.
- Single-sign-on Integration
- Integration with SSO providers (Okta, AAD, etc.).
- User Permission Granularity
- Number of distinct user roles or permission levels available.
Support & Training
Resources and services to help users maximize platform value.
- 24/7 Helpdesk
- On-demand access to support via web, phone, or chat at all hours.
- Dedicated Account Manager
- Assigned point of contact for support and account questions.
- Implementation Timeline
- Usual time from contract to go-live.
- Live Training Sessions
- Availability of instructor-led workshops or webinars.
- Local Language Support
- Number of languages spoken by support teams.
- Onboarding & Implementation Support
- Availability of guided onboarding and implementation services.
- SLA First Response Time
- Service level agreement for first support response.
- Training Materials
- Comprehensive documentation, videos, and how-to guides.
- User Feedback Integration
- Platform actively incorporates user suggestions in product roadmap.
- User Knowledge Base
- Searchable library of FAQs, troubleshooting steps, and guides.
User Experience & Customization
Adaptability and ease-of-use of the platform for a wide range of users.
- Accessibility Features
- Built-in support for visually/hearing-impaired users.
- Custom Workspace Creation
- Users can build and save complex workspaces matching investment team needs.
- Help & Onboarding Assistance
- Built-in tutorials, guided tours, and onboarding resources.
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Time-saving keyboard shortcuts and workflow accelerators.
- Multi-language Support
- Number of languages the UI is localized in.
- Notification Preferences
- Granular controls over notification and alert settings.
- Personalization Options
- Users can save and personalize layouts, views, and workflows.
- Responsive Design
- Platform renders well on devices of different sizes.
- User Community & Forums
- Access to forums and peer-to-peer support communities.
- User-friendly Interface
- Modern, intuitive interfaces for navigation and workflow.