Origo says with a further 1,500 IFAs currently registering for
UNIPASS, it is on target to sign up 10,000 users by the end of the year.
Origo, the technology standards body for the financial services industry, which created UNIPASS, also conducted an online survey to establish the impact UNIPASS is having on an IFA's working day. The survey - which was completed by 833 users - revealed very positive results, with 62% stating that it enables them to conduct more online trading and 68% agreeing that
the Internet is more secure when using UNIPASS.
On a practical level, 56% of the IFAs also stated how easy it is to sign up for the certificate and 75% answered that the installation of UNIPASS is very straightforward. These results reflect the work Origo has carried out with AIFA (the Association of Independent Financial Advisers) since January 2003 to improve the process of applying for a UNIPASS, following initial feedback from IFAs.
UNIPASS is free to IFAs and is paid for by providers. It gives financial advisers a secure, unique online identity, providing them with access to all the services they use on the internet with the use of one simple 'digital key'. The online survey, which was conducted throughout the month of August, questioned the users about all aspects of the service including how often and where they used UNIPASS, the impact it has on productivity, and how easy it is to use the certificate.
Paul Pettitt, managing director of Origo, commented: "These survey results are a testament to the UNIPASS service. Our goal is to make life easier for IFAs and to drive forward the adoption of e-business in the financial services sector. These results clearly confirm that UNIPASS is making a difference and improving productivity for IFAs.
"Our goal now is to meet the 10,000 target and over the coming few weeks and months we will be continuing to announce more providers who are adopting UNIPASS. "This announcement follows the recent news that UNIPASS received the Pensions Management award for 'Most innovative technological application.'
While Origo did not enter the award, it was nominated by IFAs and providers within the industry, which reflects the success of the product. According to Andrew Barker, head of administration with Hencilla Canworth Ltd, who has been using UNIPASS for 13 months: "My colleagues and I use UNIPASS on a daily basis to access over nine different providers sites. It is an excellent service, which really has speeded up the process of conducting business online.
"UNIPASS has now become an integral part of my business day and I am not sure how I managed without it before."
Launched in 2002, UNIPASS is now accepted by 11 institutions including: AXA, Scottish Equitable, Standard Life, Norwich Union, Prudential, Skandia, CoFunds, Webline, IFAEngine, Clerical Medical, and Friends Provident.
For more information about the certificates and to obtain a UNIPASS digital certificate, please visit: www.unipass.co.uk.
