FINANCIAL STRATEGY SOFTWARE CONSULTANTS

This site is mainly for our Australian clients but we also provide software for the US, UK and Malaysia. Please contact support@odsoft.com.au for details.

LOCATION	CONTACT NUMBERS
174 Hampden Rd NEDLANDS WA All correspondence to be directed to :	Phone0418 911 565

The Important News !
9/5/2006	BUDGET changes ready What a fantastic budget for financial planners - those who focus on financial advice (not investment advice) particularly! Naturally, O'Donnell has already prepared our software to handle the income tax, medicare and FBT changes and the altered software is available for download - though slightly differently because for some of it there is a small fee involved. Please call me on 0418 911 565 or email at the email above and I will let you know what you need to do to download the software and be ahead of the pack - YET AGAIN!!!
23/2/2006	Past benefits have even bigger impact With another Average Weekly Earnings figure released today - out of step with the trend of the past ten years (yes they've been tracking past benefits for SIXTEEN years this month!!), all your projections for clients who've been in super a while, have changed. With O'Donnell Software's Target Plus software, you can tell them by how much and what it means for them. With the other software you have ????? Why not check it and see......
24/1/2006	Is that Share Buyback REALLY good for you? With a large component of franked dividends and the prospect of a possibly large capital 'loss' to offset against other capital gains, you would think intuitively that those benefits outweigh the drawback of getting a little less that the market price for your shares. Is that right? You may be VERY SURPRISED by the answer. For most earners the answer could be that selling on market is MUCH better. Test it all with our new, simple to understand Buyback strategy test software. It is naturally much more informative than the models that the companies promoting the buybacks make available. Contact david@odsoft.com.au for details.
23/12/2005	Merry Christmas and a thought Merry Christmas and I hope we ALL have a wonderful new year. Something to think about when you next use a computer model. Does it make decisions for you? No it can never do that. What it CAN do - especially when it has the appropriate depth of understanding behind it that ours do - is to enhance your judgement of the situation. Your judgement is still always required - and the statement of that judgement and the reasoning that led to it, is the most important and valuable thing you give your client - all the rest is fluff and noise. The recent 'Investment Trends' survey of software was wonderful but missed the point - it tells you a lot of things about all the peripherals - but nothing about the important bit - why your clients pay you. Remember that and that we can really help you when it comes to that most critical of jobs.
9/12/2005	Allocated Pensions - urgent decision time If you've been reading my newsletters you probably know that in the draft legislation for the changes to Allocated Pensions, there was a provision made for the Pension Valuation factors chosen for a new AP in the first half of 2006, to stay the same for the life of the pension. It appears that after lobbying from IFSA, Treasury will change that. Now you really need to get yourself into gear if you have any clients who might draw a level of income that will be affected by the change. The $150 discount offer has closed but at the moment you can still get Optimixer for $250. In the new year, when everyone starts to panic because they realise they've missed the boat, the license fee is likely to increase. Only O'Donnell Software clients get the details. Sorry...
25/11/2005	New market for Allocated Pensions I'm sure you have seen the recent press about the ATO clarifying that the tax laws will be applied the way they are written in respect of persons continuing to work and starting allocated pensions. There are advantages in some cases to clients who choose to increase their superannuation contributions through salary sacrifice while replacing income foregone using an AP. See whether this works, and how well, for your client, with our series of models examining this from simple to more complex levels.
22/11/2005	Money Manager expiry By now you'ld be familiar with the half yearly expiry of our software products - to protect you from accidentally running an old version. That time is rapidly approaching for Money Manager so please log in for your update. If for some reason it drops off the list before you get to it, just call me on 0418 911 565 and I'll sort it out for you.
15/11/2005	Have a look Would you like to see some of the effects of the new rules that change the retirement incomes rules? Click on Demo's/Information (top left - this page) and browse the second, third and fourth disk symbols in the 'Latest Information' section. The pictures tell part of a very interesting story (for your clients) - and the software is only $250 - one off charge.
7/11/2005	Retirement Incomes Revolution The new opportunities for structuring your clients' retirement incomes, that arise from the recently drafted regulations changing Allocated and Term Allocated pensions, amount to no less than a revolution. Now within the 'complying pension' environment you have options to really get the best for your clients, and in the non complying allocated pension area there are some very important decisions for your clients about to start an AP RIGHT NOW. For good measure there's even a subtle change that affects the planners who like to milk the last drop out of the rules regarding TAP and AP income streams from Self Managed Super Funds. Who can help you with all that - NOW (not in six weeks when the errors have already been made)? Do you really need to ask? Call us on 1800 358 500. Throw reverse mortgages into the mix, especially using innovative O'Donnell strategies (not available anywhere else because the industry hasn't thought of them yet!) - and things get really interesting.
5/11/2005	Microsoft to follow our lead Looks as if I've made a mistake and put the same message in twice? No - they have done it again, following our lead by scrapping up front software purchase fees and going to a subscription method of pricing - at least that's what I read in a reliable news service last week. You probably know we've been doing exactly that for three years now. That's the advanatge of being the pace setter.
4/10/2005	Microsoft to follow our lead You have probably already seen the news in the papers but just in case you haven't (!) - just thought I'd inform you about Microsoft's decision in their soon to be released version of Office to allow saving of output in pdf format. Just another instance of how far ahead of the pack you are when you use StratPak!!
30/9/2005	Recent updates - Target Plus Target Plus has recently been updated to include the latest AWOTE figures which close off the 2004/05 tax year. As well we have recently upgraded the software to automatically deal in the preferred way with complying pensions that started before 15/2/1990. The effect can be very important for any of your clients that moved our of government or armed forces employment before that date. If you are a subscriber and are curious about that, please call us. If not - it's only $750 each six months for the whole of StratPak!
20/9/2005	TAP and AP changes - new model!!! The AP income calculation rates are about to change. The TAP rates are also about to change. This could have impacts for clients about to retire - at least for the next twelve months in the case of AP clients - and for life expectancy for TAP clients. If you would like a model to show you the difference between moving now and in the new year - keep in touch. We will have it as soon as the rates are available.
20/9/2005	Gearing software about to expire!!! The annual expiry date for the Margin lending software (gearing) is near !! (30/9/05). Please call if you can't see the update listed on your subscribed software list.
20/9/2005	Recent updates - other The Retirement incomes software has just had a couple of important updates. The first is of course the recent change in benefit rates and the second has been a revision of the 'After' scenario sections that allow you to edit assets and income streams and apply transactions (shift money around in the future - for example to buy a TAP in 5 years to see how it affects things. There have also been some minor changes to other software so please check for updates and if you don't see anything, call me so I can sort them out for you.
8/6/2005	Statement of advice, and templates In case you weren't aware, StratPak reporting now includes facilities to cover the formalities of statements of advice. Of course the actual advice has always been easier with StratPak but having to use one of those expensive packages just to fulfil the formalities has been a (cash flow) problem. With the powerful client relationship management software that's now no extra cost with Microsoft Office 2003 Professional, coupled with the sophisticated portfolio and investment detail reporting from the fund managers adding StratPak makes those other packages redundant, and your business more profitable. Call David to find out more.
21/5/2005	AWOTE update - that means new RBLs! Today we made available the Target Plus update that includes the latest AWOTE figure. As you would know from previous years, that means that for Dates of Calculation after 1 July 2005, Target Plus will now show you the RBL to apply from 1 July, giving you just another edge in the competitive business of financial advice.
11/5/2005	We have the BUDGET TAX CHANGES covered - where are you? In keeping with our reputation of the past decade or so, all the StratPak modules are up to date already with all the budget changes - don't listen to Kim, all this stuff will get thru!! Seriously, how can you be in real financial advice without O'Donnell Software. Really - how???
28/4/2005	Retirement Incomes Strategist convenience update We noticed from support calls that we have had lately that users were sometimes getting confused because the calculated income for Term Allocated Pensions was not being displayed on the data entry screen as the data was being entered. It was showing in the projections. We also had a couple of queries on alternative term span (same figures) showing where there was no reversionary amount specified. To make life easier for users we have ensured that the income figure is shown as soon as there is enough data to calculate it and that the alternative span data is greyed out when not applicable. The update to implement these minor adjustments is now available. Thanks for the input!! Remember the pension rates update (included also with this update)!!!
27/4/2005	Target Plus extra facility As more clients consider the pension RBL using TAPs and Lifetime Pensions - and the number of benefits and previous benefits recorded increases rapidly, it became apparent that a facility to allow more sophisticated modelling of the order that benefits are received would be really useful. As the first step towards this we have fully activated commencement date for pensions and FT pensions so that you can see on the details pages the way they affect the overall picture. By simply changing the commencement date of a pension you can show the advantages or disadvantages of starting the pension before or after the lump sum parts of the benefit. Very powerful. You can see this best by running the program but a sample detail page can also be seen at the bottom of the Demos/Information list on the left.
18/4/2005	Print to pdf In these days of computer based client files, it would make sense to be able to also save some of the StratPak modelling that helped you arrive at the strategy decisions for your client. Now you can do that directly from each of the StratPak models - for one small upgrade fee. GREAT for emailing also. Strongly recommended!
18/4/2005	Money Manager update One of our clients, who recently switched from AFG software to Money Manager, to make use of Money Manager's far greater flexibility, missed the colours that he was able to use in the headers of tables of results with AFG. He felt it had a positive effect for his clients - so we've now added the same sort of colour option but a bit more flexible. Within a short while this will be available across the whole StratPak package
17/3/2005	Centrelink - please make sure In a couple of days, age pension and other Centrelink rates increase with CPI indexing. Please make sure you have downloaded the update !!
24/2/2005	AWOTE update Today a new Average Weekly Earnings figure was released by the ABS (applies to the December quarter) and we have incorporated that into the Target Plus updates and installation scripts available for download. Please make sure that you have this update because it is needed for indexation to be correct for any models that you do with a date of calculation later than 31 March. Particularly important for clients planning moves before the end of the tax year.
14/12/2004	StratPak update For those using our comprehensive strategy package - StratPak - we have now been running the version where data is transferrable between the different programs for over a month and from feedback we have made a few adjustments where there were conflicts between old and new versions. These updates and all of those mentioned below are available in a single StratPak update that is available for download now. If you can't see it on your login ID please call us so we can make sure it is accessible to you.
14/12/2004	Retirement Incomes Strategist update We have completed a review of RIS to make it much more helpful when you are entering Term Allocated Pensions (shows term spans allowed etc), to tidy up printed reports, to allow printing of both AP projections and TAP projections and to make the projection comparisons much more useful. While none of these is a major update they add together to make a major impact on what was already a great tool to help you quickly evaluate retirement incomes strategies. If you haven't seen it, download the demo today and ring us for a powerpoint demo of how to track through the program.
10/12/2004	Opti what? Optimixer is our new program that enables you to look at comparative cash flows, before and after tax, for Allocated, Term Allocated and Lifetime pensions! If you have ever wondered why the Pension RBL is better than the Lump Sum RBL for clients over the that limit (where you might be tempted to use say a non rebateable Allocated Pension) - just use Optimixer to compare net incomes. Also get present values of the net cash flows of each option and see when one is better in dollars than the others. The essential tool for 2005.
10/12/2004	Lightning service - Money Manager fault fixed This morning one of our clients forwarded us an example where he could not make sense of some of the numbers. We looked into it and found that in this particular situation - where the client's partner was receiving a taxable lump sum in the first year - it was being counted more than once and producing very strange figures. Needless to say - this has already been corrected, tested and posted as an update - ready for you to download. If you ever suspect an error, talk to us and we'll either explain why it's correct, or get you a solution very quickly.Talk to us whenever you like!
3/12/2004	Target Plus -range check error fixed- IFA article Today we posted an update that includes a correction of a calculation that often led to 'Range check error' appearing after a new client was added. This was a nuisance because it meant that you had to stop the program, restart it and reload the client before you could proceed. I'm sure that will be a welcome correction. Also this week, and article has been published in IFA magazine based on the example that I referred to below - an example that without Target Plus is a disaster waiting to happen. Talk to us as soon as you can!
18/11/2004	Target Plus keeping you ahead of the rest ! Today we posted an update that includes TODAY's release of the new AWOTE figure. No other software provider even approaches that sort of service! We have also recently constructed quite a simple example that nevertheless has some potential disasters awaiting the unwary (and badly equipped) advisor. If your client comes to you and says 'I know I qualify for the Sale of Business CGT exemption when I settle my business next week - how much will I save?' - would you know when the best advice is 'Pay the tax'?. Call and ask for our (free) example pack and see it detailed. This is not one of those weird examples that you often see at PD days - this one looks dead simple. How wrong you could be! Talk to us as soon as you can!
30/9/2004	Major Target Plus superannuation software update ! This update brings to a conclusion the major stage of the integration of the models in StratPak. It also adds a report that I am sure you'll find extra useful with any client who's changed jobs and received benefits since 1990, has sold a business and claimed Capital Gains Tax exemption or has significant amounts building up in superannuation but still wants to get more out of it. Even those of you who are disciples of Visi or X plan, FPI, Assirt, MLC's workbench or any of the other software around that does a workmanlike job of the everyday situations, will have your eyes opened by what we can show you here - and you'll wonder how you ever talked superannuation and retirement advice without it. Talk to us as soon as you can!
17/9/2004	AT LAST ! You have probably heard the wonderful news that ASIC has cracked down on the nonsense calculators that many organisations have on their web sites that seem to indicate that there's some magic about Line of Credit products. About time. Since 1995 we have been protesting very loudly about the downright misleading promotional material (including calculators) produced by many financial institutions to help them 'flog' LOC product. Calculators should, like the O'Donnell Software range, help users explore concepts, presenting all aspects fairly and without bias. LOC products can be a fantastic asset for some and a problem for others. Which will it be for your client? Our Money Manager software can help you explore that in the context of their full financial situation. There's no magic, just good results for working smarter and staying focussed. In some cases a LOC can help.
25/8/2004	Retirement Incomes Software update Today we enabled for download the latest update to our Retirement Incomes Strategist software. Naturally it includes Term Allocated Pensions, as does our new Optimixer software but it has also been set up to share data with our other great strategy software so you can be looking at a wealth creation strategy and switch to retirement incomes issues or many other strategy options and only need to enter the additional data. Everything you have entered is already there. Call us to talk about it.
30/6/2004	New ASK update Ever wanted to be able to switch between models without re-entering data? Over the next few days we will make available for download updates that will enable any data you enter through ASK to be available in Money Manager and Retirement Income Strategist. In fact - data you enter in any of them will be available in the others. Should make life easy for you. Target Plus will follow shortly and we're looking also at the specialist programs Remplan and Margin Lending/Gearing. This ASK update starts the ball rolling.
21/6/2004	Stop Press - MONEY IN CO-CONTRIBUTION !! IFSA poll reveals : '52 per cent of respondents in the $40,000-59,000 household income bracket ... expect to increase personal super contributions as a result of the (co-contribution)' That's an awful lot of people (Household income up to $118,000 p.a.) who want to know about this and have ample capacity to pay you a suitable fee. What are you waiting for? Step one, get the model on your web site....email address above.
21/6/2004	Money Manager updates To help those of you whose data collection forms have more than 50 slots for expenses, we have extended the number of 'Regular Expenses' to 70 to help you. Remember when you are entering them that any of the slots that you are not using for a particular client, you can type over. For example you may have a client who doesn't use 'Church Donations' but for whom you need a slot for 'Hang Glider Maintenance' - just type over Church Donations and that change will be saved for that client.
20/6/2004	Upgrade to full Stratpak Ask us about the deal we can offer you to upgrade from Money Manager to the full Stratpak package!!
16/5/2004	Margin lending important news! One of the important things that must be understood by a client who is looking to borrow for investment, is the tax impact. With two sets of tax changes in the next 14 months, the first only weeks away, you might as well pack up and go on holiday in the run up to June 30 if you don't have our StratPak software. Update with all this available now.
12/5/2004	Defined Benefits NO! The budget yesterday dropped a bomb on the perfectly reasonable notion of defined benefit superannuation funds. When (and of course if) the legislation outlined in the budget is gazetted, defined benefit funds will have to have a minimum of 50 members. A defined benefit fund protects the member in times of investment market downturn. Why should this protection be denied to employees of small companies? The defined benefit structure is also the ONLY way that many in Australia can be persuaded to heed the government's call to take up lifetime pensions, which in turn takes the pressure of the welfare system. Why shouldn't a superannuant be allowed to gain the benefit for his family of any money left when he dies? Surely there is a better way to target the minimal impact on tax receipts of the very few defined benefit funds that may be used to scam the contribution tax surcharge. Tell me what you think! (link above)
12/5/2004	Superannuation Co-Contribution If you have any clients who have taxable income less than $58,000 per annum you might gain from finding out how you can attract them to your package of services through our models, particularly showing them their gain through the superannuation co-contribution. Talk to us soon!
7/5/2004	STRATPAK - power for the professional The best insurance against claims against you by clients is to do the homework on alternatives to meet their goals. STRATPAK gives you the power to do the strategic analysis that justifies high fees but keeps it economically sound for you. Click the 'support' link above to send us an email so we can reply with details.
16/4/2004	'Tax Office issues DIY super warning' That's a headline from today's Financial Review. They are going to look more closely at trustees doing the right thing - which means of course that those clients are going to look to their advisors for help. Our Profiler software is an opportunity for you to earn substantial fees for a vital service - helping the trustees consider and document their strategy adequately. Until the end of April license it for only $500 per year.
29/3/2004	Superannuation benefits tax lowered I've been surprised at the number of people who missed the recent reduction in tax on superannuation benefits so I thought I'd mention again that it has been incorporated into the Target Plus and Retirement Income Strategist programs to give you tools that help you assess and explain the possible impact on your clients. Very important!!
26/2/2004	New AWOTE figure - hot off the press! About an hour ago, the ABS released the latest Average Weekly Earnings figures. It's interesting to note that the increase December to December was nearly 5.5% ! Target Plus has been updated and the update is ready for download. How would you be placed giving superannuation advice without an O'Donnell Software subscription?
25/2/2004	Can YOU explain the assets test changes? As part of our unceasing effort to give our subscribers the edge we today released a revision of our Retirement Income Streams software that includes the impact of new income stream assets test rules that take effect this year. It's very important to your clients that you have the facility TODAY to look at the options that are created by the reduced assets test exemption for complying pensions and the new lower assets tested investment linked income product. Some of your clients may be advantaged by bringing forward their retirement plans while the superannuation funding options of others will change dramatically. To know more, call us!
20/2/2004	Target Plus and Retirement Income Streams We have today released a maintenance update on the powerful Target Plus software, re enabling Partner calculations and sorting out the irritation that saw you needing to re enter partner date of birth each time you did a calc of 'how am I tracking towards my retirement goals. On the Retirement Income Streams side, at last we have removed the old Centrelink Comparator name from the software and carried out a very thorough revision of all its capabilities. You're on another winner there! Call us about the download today.
22/10/2003	TRY THIS If you ever wondered why you need a web site, look at our software that helps explain how the government's Co-Contribution to Superannuation works. It's law this tax year and your clients need to know about it and how they can benefit. But it's fairly small bickies as far as commission is concerned and not worthy of a big enough fee. The answer is to let your web site share the workload. Click on Calculators to the left and Power of the Co- Contribution. It's so affordable and easy for us to enable you to have this on YOUR web site.
8/8/2003	DECISION TIME Ever thought that choosing what investment products someone uses might NOT be what you do? Providing financial advice and investment selection advice are two entirely different things that require different skill sets. With the release of yet another set of product comparison guidelines by ASIC on Tuesday it really is time to decide what it is that you do (anyone remember the confusion that followed the release a decade ago of the ISC guidelines for product illustrations - read this release - it foreshadows the same thing!). We provide the best tools to help with the financial advice. Perhaps the investment selection (and the reduced Funds Under Management fee margins) should be left to the investment guys and you should stick to what people are happy to pay for, good financial advice!

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