9th Apr AMA: I'm Sarah Jacobs, Xplan optimisation expert and product manager, Ask Me Anything!

Hi michael.ryan – thanks for the question, and I completely understand where you're coming from! Template creation can feel like a bit of a barrier if you're not familiar with Xmerge, so it’s a very fair point.

While there aren’t any confirmed plans for a specific solution at this stage (like a 'builder'), we’re actively exploring ways to make the template creation and editing experience more accessible in the future. It’s definitely an area we know could be improved, so watch this space.

In the meantime, here are a few tools and resources that might help you get started without needing custom development:

• Xword Toolbar
  A handy Word add-in that helps you find and insert basic Xmerge codes into your templates more easily. You can install it from within Xplan by going to:
  Admin > Site > Templates > Reporting Tools > XWord v2
• Xmerge Library
  Available in the Iress Community, this is a great resource for accessing a wide range of pre-built Xmerge codes—from pulling client data (like Assets or Insurance) to generating tables from modelling tools like WealthSolver, Risk Researcher, and Xtools+.
• Tech Services Support
  If you'd like help building more complex templates, our Tech Services team is available through the Xmerge Connect tile in the Iress Connect Portal (note: this may attract a cost).

Hi mat.tenison3 - that’s a great question, and definitely a hot topic right now. We’re keeping a close eye on the proposed changes and are actively thinking about the future of advice and how Xplan can support it.

While the proposed Client Advice Record (CAR) appears to contain much of the same core information as the current SOA, we see this as an opportunity to rethink how advice is delivered to clients. Rather than continuing with long, compliance-heavy documents, there’s a chance for CARs to become more engaging, client-friendly, and easier to understand—while still meeting regulatory requirements.

At this stage, Iress hasn’t released an official plan regarding CAR support in Xplan, but it’s very much on our radar - so definitely watch this space! 

Hi shaynesse.wise - thank you for the question! 

While there are currently no integrations available via Iress Open that directly support this use case, our Integrations team is continually engaging with partners—so we recommend keeping an eye on the Iress Open integration space in the Community for any new developments.

In the meantime, you might like to explore the Iress Financial Knowledge Centre, which offers branded monthly newsletters designed to help clients live with money confidence. It’s a great option for providing compliant, client-friendly content with minimal effort.

Hi cara.mccarthy - welcome back from maternity leave! 

It’s great to hear you’re keen to start using the DocuSign integration.

The good news is we’ve got some really helpful step-by-step guides available here on the Iress Community to get you up and running. I’d recommend starting with the Site Administrators Guide, which outlines the setup process and how to raise a request.

To get started you’ll need to raise a request via the Iress Connect portal, using the Service desk - Issues tile, then select “I have an integration issue” and follow the steps outlined in the guide to complete the request. 

Important to note:  

• If you are on the Iress administered site (eg Managed site or PlannerCentral), please raise a request via the Iress Managed Site Services Tile on Iress Connect and the team will be happy to assist. 
• If you’re on a Dealer Group site or not the Site Administrator for your Xplan site, you’ll need to get in touch with your Site Administrator to request the integration on your behalf.

I should also add, that some of my colleagues are also regularly sharing great Xplan hints in Advisely - so definitely keep an eye out for those!

Hi Sally – thanks for joining us! Great to hear you’re making the most of Managed Field Content – it’s one of my favourite hidden gems in Xplan, especially for advice generation.

There are so many tips for improving efficiency using Xplan - it's hard to know where to begin! Here are a few features that might be worth exploring:

• Digital Signatures & DocuSign Integration
  If you haven’t already, consider using digital signatures to streamline the process of collecting client sign-offs. You can use Iress' native Digital Signature solution, or the recent DocuSign integration - more information on both options can be found as follows:
  • Digital Signatures Info
  • DocuSign Integration Info

• Client Portal Fact Find
  This tool allows clients to complete their fact find online, which automatically updates in Xplan – reducing manual data entry and helping ensure information is always up to date. More information can be found here: Client Portal Resources

• Task Outcomes
  You can automate a wide range of actions using Task Outcomes—like updating fields (e.g. Next Review Date), creating file notes, sending emails, and more. It’s a great way to reduce admin time and make sure key tasks aren’t missed. Please refer to this article on Task Outcomes for more information. 

• Schedules
  Schedules let you automate activities across groups of clients—such as triggering review workflows, sending emails, or managing Fee Consent. You can create a series of automated steps and schedule them to run regularly. For more information refer to this articule available in the Iress Community on Using Schedules.

There’s so much potential to streamline processes—if you’ve got a specific pain point you’re trying to solve, let me know and I’d be happy to offer more tailored suggestions. Or anyone else feel free to jump into the comments and share ideas!

Hi Eliana - thank you for a great question. 

There aren’t any standard reports in Xplan that will display the full range of super/pension/investment account details you're after directly from Client Focus. While you can extract a lot of static data — such as account balances, investment options, and contribution history using Xmerge merge reports, more advanced analytics (like performance charts and asset allocation breakdowns) require the Portfolios module.

You can find a library of useful Xmerge codes here in the Iress Community, which you can use to build your own reports with much of the static data stored in Client Focus. Our Technical Services team is also available to help you with creating these reports, simply raise a request via the Iress Connect portal using the Xmerge Connect Tile (note: there may be a cost associated with this service).

However, for anything related to performance, asset allocation, and richer investment reporting, I'd strongly recommend capturing the relevant assets in the Portfolios module, even if there's no data feed available. While this may mean some manual work — particularly around entering transactions — it gives you access to more robust reporting and charting tools, including performance graphs and Corporate Actions functionality (which can help streamline things like dividends/distributions).

One way to reduce duplication is by linking Portfolio Accounts back to Client Focus Asset/Super/Pension records, so you're not maintaining the same information in two places.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with

Hi raffay.memon.0 - great question!  It’s so important to present insurance recommendations in a way that’s easy for both clients and advisers to understand.

One effective approach is to list all insurance policies—both existing and recommended—in a single table, with a clear column for the recommendation (e.g. Hold, Replace, Adjust, Recommend). This provides a simple, consolidated view that shows the complete picture in one place without the need to jump between sections or tables.

If you're using Xplan, there are standard Xmerge codes available to support this layout, which you can find in the Xmerge Code Library on the Iress Community. If you'd like help setting it up, our Tech Services team is available—just raise a request via the Iress Connect Portal using the Xmerge Connect tile (note: there may be a cost for this service).