Message from the MD
Conference-itis
In the course of any one year the Treasury Today team attend various
conferences where we get the opportunity to meet many of our subscribers
and to see and hear many presentations. Over time trends emerge….
One very clear trend is the practical application of web technology to the
process of treasury management. Nothing new there you may say. Well,
our impression is that it is only now that really useful applications (and not
just vapourware) are beginning to appear. Before now, it has only been the
pioneers - those few leading the way - that have been achieving very much.
Here are two examples. In our forthcoming report on Treasury Systems -
Treasury Systems Today - we will be looking at the application of web
technology and how this is facilitating remote access to systems. This
report will be printed and sent to subscribers later this month. Another
example is the emergence of online FX trading systems. We are currently
researching the systems that are becoming available and will be reporting
on this in due course. In the meantime I would welcome comment from any
reader on either of these issues or indeed any other topics.
Another subject much talked about at these conferences, but where there is
a lot more talk than action, is outsourcing. Presentation after presentation
talks about this concept but our perception is that much of this talk is
supplier sponsored material. When asked many of the corporate presenters
talk about examining the concept (how could one say otherwise!) but -
surprise, surprise - not finding it to be of value in their companies.
But there will be more action over time. This debate is not going to go away
and web technology is going to mean that we will see a lot of providers
trying to persuade companies that this or that aspect of their business
should be outsourced. This will apply to the treasury and finance function
as much as any other. We will be watching and reporting on this but do
please let me have your comments and views.
Richard Parkinson