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EISI — NaviPlan Extended

888-692-3474 (option 2)www.eisi.com

From the June/July 2008 Review of
Estate Planning Systems

EISI offers two professional financial planning systems, the NaviPlan program
reviewed here, and the Profiles system, which the company acquired about two
years ago. NaviPlan, which is available in Standard and Extended versions as
either a traditional stand-alone desktop program or in a web-based format, is
a professional cashflow-based planning system geared toward managing all aspects
of high net worth clients with complex personal and business financial structures.
It is also offered in versions for the United States or Canada.

The program’s comprehensive feature set supports multiple scenarios
and cases, has Monte Carlo analysis functions, tracks federal and state taxation,
includes stock option modeling and insurance analysis, and provides multiple
options for asset allocation, including optional asset allocation and Mean Variance
Optimizer (MVO) modules from Ibbotson Associates. A single-user license of the
NaviPlan Standard costs $799, while NaviPlan Extended is priced at $1,299. Pricing
for NaviPlan Central (ASP platform), which includes business and compliance
tools for firms in addition to planning tools for advisors, is $998 for NaviPlan
Standard and $1,498 for NaviPlan Extended. The Ibbotson asset add-on is $125
and the MVO add-on is $100 for the web-based or stand-alone desktop versions.

Ease of Use/Basic Functionality — 5 Stars
The primary interface for NaviPlan Extended has a very browser-like feel, even
when using the stand-alone desktop version. The screen provides text-based links
at the top for basic program functions, such as Help, Save, Print, Undo, Support
and Signing Out. A vertical navigation menu on the left offers links to client
selection, preferences and financial assessment functions. The remainder of
the screen provides the work area, which provides tabbed access to intuitive
buttons, checkboxes, spreadsheets and other data-entry and presentation views,
depending upon the task at hand.

NaviPlan organizes client data and plans into engagements, with the Client
Selection screen (generally the default starting point) providing various search
and filter options. The system can be used for any number of clients with unlimited
plans each. Entry or editing of basic client data is performed on simple data
forms that include selecting whether the planning is for an individual or joint
analysis, tax filing status and state, since the program includes appropriate
death tax information for each state. Because the program includes goal planning
for retirement, education and other life events, it also provides for tracking
of dependent information. NaviPlan also provides beneficiary management for
both dependents and non-family.

The system allows the professional user to categorize client plans as one
of three types: Financial Assessment, Financial Objective Analysis (Level 1);
and Comprehensive Analysis (Level 2). Setting a client engagement as one of
these types enables the system to streamline functions to meet the general purpose
of the engagement. For instance, in the Financial Assessment mode, the system
allows the user to identify the goals (retirement, insurance, education, estate
analysis, major purchase) and then provides tabbed access to a one-page financial
summary and detailed views of each of the goals selected. Client data can be
directly entered onto these screens, with calculations automatically performed
and the resulting values updated in real-time. The data fields also enable drilldown
access to more detailed data.

The program automatically takes into account phase-ins/phase-outs of tax changes,
as well as inflation indexing. It also provides functions like the How Am I
Doing and What Are My Options tools that can aid the professional and client
in diagnosing and remedying shortfalls in meeting planning goals. NaviPlan can
import client financial data from multiple fund and clearing sources through
a utility provided by Albridge Solutions.

Calculations — 5 Stars
As a full financial planning system, NaviPlan Extended offers small business,
partnership, and S- and C-Corp planning in addition to its wealth of individual
financial management functions. As previously noted, the program includes built-in
support for estate taxes at the federal level and for all states, and also includes
extensive goal planning and management capabilities, net worth assessment, cashflow
management and stock option modeling. Through the elective Estate Objectives
& Testamentary Trusts module, the program can be used to illustrate and
plan for various estate models and wealth transfer options, such as GRATs, GRUTs,
GRITs, CRATs, CRUTs, CLATs, CLUTs, QPRTs, SCINs and family partnerships. Other
optional modules are also available for Disability Insurance, Long-Term Care,
Stock Options, Business Entities and the Monte Carlo Sensitivity Analysis. 5

Client Presentation Tools — 4.5 Stars
NaviPlan offers an outstanding selection of customizable pre-built reports that
allow viewing of multiple plans simultaneously and can include presentation
options such as “straight numbers,” text-based output and graphical
elements such as charts and graphs that can help effectively communicate a client
plan. Additionally, the program can generate cash flow reports, flow charts,
comparisons, and detailed and summary gross estate and estate liabilities reports.
Plans and reports can be saved to Word, Excel, PDF and other formats.

Help, Support & Training Options — 5 Stars
The assistive features built into NaviPlan include a traditional Help function,
along with a Planning Assistant, right-click options, and the How Am I Doing
and What Are My Options functions. The company’s support website also
provides a large library of task-focused video tutorials, PDF study guides,
user support forums, a knowledgebase, technical support and training options.
Technical support is included in system pricing. The EISI Academy, a training
strategy created in partnership with Greene Consulting, is also offered as a
resource for building financial planning expertise.

Relative Value — 4.5 Stars
NaviPlan Extended is an exceptionally comprehensive, yet easy-to-use financial
and estate planning system designed to service high and very high net worth
clients with complex financial bases. The program offers a full set of goal
planning features, modeling tools and asset allocation functions that further
juice up the program’s capabilities and make it ideal for firms with considerable
“A” clients.

2008 Overall Rating: