LightPort.com Launches Enterprise Division for Big Clients

LightPort.com, a provider of Web engines that drive e-business for financial institutions, has launched a separate division to handle clients with more comprehensive needs. The new Enterprise division will focus on delivering more customized products and services to its mid-to-large-size clients, such as broker/dealers, mutual funds and banking intermediaries.

"Almost 75% of our customers already have Web sites, but now they're looking to use the Web in a more robust manner and looking to integrate stronger back ends and more client service components within their site," says Mike Fitzgerald, senior vice president of LightPort.com. He compares the LightPort Enterprise division offerings to that of a "Charles Schwab"-type Web site in a box. "Our goal is to try to make it easy and simple for institutional type Web sites to be delivered," he adds.

The solutions offered by LightPort's new Enterprise division revolve around its Enterprise.LightPort Web engine, an integrated application platform that collects, analyzes and delivers financial information through vertical applications and customized options. "The architecture on the enterprise side obviously allows for more robust development to take place," says Fitzgerald. "We've pre-packaged modules and offer them at a lower price point for greater volume."

LightPort.com also partners with other technology providers and custodians to offer online trading functionality and research libraries. They have an arrangement with several custodians to offer online trading through proprietary systems and have recently teamed up with a new company called Taho, a provider of financial electronic commerce, for trading functionality. Fitzgerald says that LightPort also taps into companies such as NewsAlert to offer modules with research, news, quotes, charts and market research.

"On the Enterprise side, we're acquiring an average of four to six new clients per month and we're anticipating that up to 35% of our existing customers will want to upgrade to the Enterprise platform," continues Fitzgerald. LightPort's Advisor division will continue to serve smaller clients. "The Advisor side still very much uses templates, wizards and galleries," he adds. "It's for firms that know they have to have a Web presence and want a unique look and feel, but don't have a tremendous budget."