--- title: "Avelease | RD Research" meta: author: "RD Research Limited" description: "How a specialist finance broker replaced a legacy CRM with a compliant, auditable platform built for growth and modern workflows." "og:description": "How a specialist finance broker replaced a legacy CRM with a compliant, auditable platform built for growth and modern workflows." "og:title": Avelease "twitter:description": "How a specialist finance broker replaced a legacy CRM with a compliant, auditable platform built for growth and modern workflows." "twitter:title": Avelease --- Home # Avelease Case Study ![Avelease Case Study](https://rdresearch.co.uk/images/case_studies/avelease/hero.webp) ## The Challenge **Avelease – Modern CRM for Asset Finance and FCA Compliance** Avelease, the UK’s leading specialist asset finance broker, had been running its business on a bespoke Microsoft CRM. Over time the system became slow, difficult to maintain and impossible to integrate with modern tools. It did not work well on mobile devices, security was hard to keep up to current standards, and many everyday tasks spilled over into spreadsheets and manual workarounds. The team needed a modern, secure and auditable CRM platform that preserved the strengths of the old system but added automation, reliable reporting and tighter control of FCA regulated processes such as money laundering checks and documentation. Transferring and cleaning decades of data for accurate reporting was critical, as was designing a clear user interface that brought together functions previously scattered across multiple screens. Avelease asked RD Research to design and build a new bespoke CRM that would support asset finance workflows end to end, integrate with current technologies and stand up to regular compliance audits. ### The Development Process We assembled a joint project team of three RD Research consultants and six Avelease staff, led by project manager Nick. Working mainly remotely with planned on site sessions, we used a structured Waterfall approach, starting with a detailed functional specification before development. The first phase focused on understanding how the existing CRM was used in practice. We documented every key process: new proposals, credit checks, documentation, money laundering checks, payouts, renewals and commission calculations. From this we created screen mock ups and workflow diagrams so Avelease could see and refine the future system before any code was written. Data analysis followed. We profiled and documented the legacy Access data, identifying what needed to be migrated, cleaned or restructured to support accurate, fast reporting. Compliance requirements were embedded into the design so that critical steps such as KYC and AML checks were recorded, tracked and never missed. Development proceeded against the agreed specification, with weekly progress and feedback meetings. Complex screens were prototyped and iterated with users to ensure they were fast and intuitive. Automation was added for reporting, form generation and common correspondence, reducing manual typing and duplication. Throughout, security and FCA expectations guided decisions on access control, audit trails and data handling. Key features - Bespoke CRM platform tailored to asset finance workflows and FCA regulatory requirements - Clean, modern user interface that consolidates key functions previously spread across multiple Access screens and spreadsheets - Built in automation for generating standard forms, documents and management reports from live data - Embedded compliance tracking, including money laundering checks, KYC steps and document expiry monitoring - Comprehensive data migration and cleansing from the 25 year legacy Access system for fast, accurate reporting - Flexible dashboards and search tools to give brokers, operations staff and management the information they need in real time - Secure architecture designed for modern devices and subject to regular internal and external audit ### Outcome The new Avelease CRM system replaced the ageing Access database and became the core platform for running the business. Automation, improved usability and accurate reporting have had a measurable impact on efficiency and growth. Significant time savings from automated reporting and form generation, freeing staff from repetitive manual tasks Stronger compliance controls, with clear tracking of money laundering and other FCA related checks Better quality management information from cleaned, structured data, supporting faster decisions and more accurate forecasting Increased capacity for brokers and management to focus on business development and customer relationships, supporting profit and customer satisfaction gains A modern, secure CRM that positions Avelease to integrate with new technologies and continue its leadership in specialist asset finance > **"****RD Research have delivered an outstanding system that will really help drive out business forward. I completely recommend them.****" ** **- ****Nick Watts****, ****Director****, ****Avelease** ## Get In Touch Get in touch with us today to discuss your specific needs and discover how our bespoke solutions can help your business. Our team is ready to understand your unique needs and provide the custom solutions necessary to keep you ahead of the competition. _Laura - Intern_ [01603 872331](https://rdresearch.co.uk/tel:+441603872331) [contact@rdresearch.co.uk](https://rdresearch.co.uk/mailto:contact@rdresearch.co.uk)Monday to Friday 8am - 5.30pm