Welcome to Novigi’s Quarterly Report — Q4 FY2025 edition. Whether you’re doomscrolling between meetings or pretending to pay attention on a Teams call, we’re thrilled you’ve chosen to spend some quality time with us. If you’re a return reader, welcome back; you know the drill. If you’ve never read the Novigi Quarterly before, we hope you find it insightful and informative. And as always, please let us know if you have any feedback, we’d love to hear from you.
The Quarter at a Glance
Covered in this quarter’s report are:
Legacy Technology: Houston, We Might Not Have a Problem
Superannuation funds may not be operating spacecraft, but their core systems often resemble NASA’s legacy software: functional, enduring — and increasingly under pressure. This follow-up article in our series on underdeveloped operational infrastructure draws parallels between space technology and superannuation IT systems, exploring why legacy technology remains so entrenched. While aging systems can deliver reliability and scale, they pose growing risks to user experience, cost efficiency, and compliance. Rather than rushing to replace them, funds should define a clear role for legacy systems, invest in continuous improvement, and ensure deep institutional knowledge is preserved. The key takeaway? Legacy doesn’t always mean liability — but only if it’s managed with discipline, foresight, and purpose.
Release the Handbrake: Unlocking AI Through Solid Data Foundations
AI has shifted from buzzword to business imperative — yet many organisations remain stalled at the starting line. Why? Without robust data foundations, even the most advanced AI initiatives are doomed to fail. Poor data quality, unclear governance, and lack of enterprise-wide data literacy create invisible handbrakes that limit AI’s potential. But there’s hope — by investing in both the “offensive” (AI, analytics) and “defensive” (quality, governance) sides of data strategy, leaders can create a self-reinforcing loop that fuels transformation. The message is clear: great data defence is the key to unlocking AI success.
When is it Time for Real-Time?
“Real-time” is one of the most overused — and misunderstood — terms in tech strategy. In this article, we unpack what real-time actually means, why it’s often unnecessary, and when it’s absolutely critical. Through clear frameworks and examples, the article encourages decision-makers to challenge assumptions and evaluate business value before jumping into “real-time by default”. Because in many cases, what users really want isn’t real-time — it’s better performance, cleaner data, and smarter design.
Oh! Member
Super funds exist for one reason: to help members retire with confidence, fairness, and dignity. Yet amid the noise of digital transformation, compliance mandates, and innovation cycles, that mission can get lost. This article is a call to refocus — urging funds to treat every tech and data investment as if it were coming directly from a member’s retirement balance. It introduces a SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to help tie strategy back to tangible member outcomes.
Getting Retirement Incomes Right for Real People
Australia’s retirement system offers powerful tools — like account-based pensions and annuities — but members often struggle to engage meaningfully with them. This article explores the evolving landscape of post-retirement products and the critical role of data and technology in helping trustees meet the Retirement Income Covenant. The future of retirement success depends not only on product design, but also on how effectively trustees collect, analyse, and act on member data to tailor communications and support. For funds, the imperative is clear: better insight leads to better outcomes.
The Quarterly - Q4FY25
The Quarterly — Q4 FY2025 brings together expertise from specialists across Novigi.
Key Contributors:
Kevin Fernandez
General Manager, Investment Technology
Rob Smith
DMS, Client Manager
Sam Wighton
Senior Software Engineer
Sunil Dargani
Portfolio Lead, Delivery Governance
Michael Quinn
Senior Partner
Sophie Coianiz
Consultant
This report was also strengthened by a wider group of Novigi specialists, whose withering years of toil and rich experience added depth and clarity to the perspectives shared.
For more information about anything you’ve read here, or if you have a more general inquiry, please contact us.