CUSTOMER: Harris | Oakmark
OPPORTUNITY: Manual processes and siloed data limited scale, delayed reporting, and constrained business agility.
INNOVATION: A unified, reusable data foundation to standardize data, automate workflows, and enable enterprise-wide access for a variety of use cases.
SOLUTION: InterSystems Data Studio powers a normalized data model that integrates, harmonizes, and reuses trusted data across reporting, analytics, and operations.
IMPACT: Faster time to market, reduced costs, streamlined reporting, and consistent, transparent insights supporting growth, improved client experience, and long-term value delivery.
Harris | Oakmark (“Harris”) faced mounting challenges with manual processes and data silos that created duplication, batch processing delays, and inflexible architectures. Business users were unable to explore data independently, and constant maintenance of disparate solutions drained valuable resources. Additionally, the firm struggled with over ten variations of client reports that lacked end-to-end auditability, leading to inconsistent communications. The firm recognized a powerful opportunity to modernize and streamline data access across all business lines by creating a reusable, standardized investment accounting data foundation. This strategic move aligned with goals to reduce integration complexity, and accelerate project delivery.
Building a Scalable, Enterprise Data Foundation
Harris implemented a strategic data transformation initiative, the Unified Data Foundation, using InterSystems Data Studio™. This initiative modernized how investment accounting data is consumed across reporting, analytics, and operational workflows. By designing a normalized data model and automating data workflows, the firm streamlined data integration from legacy, internal and external platforms, and data providers for consistent reuse. It supports historical data migration and cross-period analysis while facilitating continuous delivery of new reports. The approach enables multiple initiatives to move forward faster and with less risk by leveraging a shared data foundation rather than rebuilding data pipelines for each effort.
Driving Measurable Efficiency and Improving Client Experience
The implementation delivered remarkable operational and strategic benefits, reallocating approximately 200 FTE (full-time equivalent) hours per month and avoiding about $200K in annual staffing costs. It accelerated time to market of the launch of their first ETF (exchange traded fund) with data preparation finished in just three months. Beyond cost savings, the innovation streamlined client reporting by reducing templates from ten down to just two, significantly improving consistency and transparency. Timely assets and flows reporting enhance distribution and marketing capabilities. Ultimately, the transformation helps the firm retain and attract clients, support new business initiatives, and maintain a sharp competitive edge.
Key Features of the Innovation
- Normalized Data Model: The innovation introduces a normalized investment accounting data model that standardizes how data is structured, stored, and consumed. This eliminates inconsistencies and provides a single source of truth across the organization. Teams can now confidently rely on uniform data for reporting, analytics, and operations.
- Streamlined Data Ingestion: Data ingestion from internal and external platforms and services has been dramatically streamlined and automated. This reduces the complexity and manual effort previously required to move data between systems. As a result, data flows faster and more reliably to the teams who need it.
- Consistent Data Reuse: A shared data foundation enables consistent reuse of data across multiple project types and initiatives. Instead of rebuilding data pipelines for each new effort, teams leverage existing, trusted data assets. This accelerates project delivery and reduces risk across the board.
- Legacy System Independence: The solution supports historical data migration and cross-period analysis while progressively reducing dependence on legacy systems. Phased delivery of new reports ensures smooth transitions without disrupting business operations. The firm can now retire outdated systems confidently and embrace a modern, scalable architecture.
About the Winner: Harris | Oakmark
Harris | Oakmark is an independent asset management firm managing over $105 billion¹ in equity and fixed income portfolios for institutional investors and private wealth clients. Operating the renowned Oakmark Funds and an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, the firm uses a value investing approach, seeking to reduce risk while generating above-average returns over time. Their need for consistent, timely, and accurate investment information to support portfolio management, client service, regulatory reporting, and dynamic business growth is paramount to delivering consistent performance for their clients.
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1 - As of March 2026.
