What is Vision?
DST's Vision product is an interactive Web site that allows financial intermediaries
such as broker/dealers and financial advisors to view fund, shareowner account,
and dealer information. Information such as shareowner positions, account options,
transaction histories, fund pricing and yields, and hypothetical CDSC redemption
charge calculations are some of the features available through Vision. The current
Vision Web site also offers on-line statement viewing and printing, transaction
processing and new account establishment.
What is the difference between Vision and FANMail?
FAN Mail provides automated downloads of mutual funds and variable annuity customer account information from an internet FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site. FAN Mail is designed to work in conjunction with the most popular portfolio management software available. This allows the financial intermediary to establish and maintain a consolidated database for their clients. To learn more about FAN Mail, call (800) 435-4112 or visit their Web site at www.dstfanmail.com.
Vision is an interactive Web site; there are no software distribution or installation
support issues. Vision provides the financial professional with a truly user
friendly product where information can be accessed through a point-and-click
environment. Vision is a great complement to FAN Mail as you can double-check
any totals you have in FAN Mail reports.
How much does Vision cost?
There are no charges to the end user associated with Vision access; the fund
families incur all costs for your access.
How do I know which companies participate in Vision?
You may review the list by clicking on Participanting Companies. We continually update this list, so check back regularly to see which new companies are available.
We continue to revise this list, so check back regularly to see which new companies are available.
Do I need to provide all of my clients' account numbers
when completing the new user profile?
Vision requires only one sample fund and account number for each mutual fund or variable annuity family
for which you are requesting access. The sample fund and account number is used
to verify security for your ID. (If you are
unsure of the fund code/prefix number, you may supply the complete fund name.)
How long will it take to get my Vision ID?
Upon receipt of your enrollment form, Vision Support will forward your request
to the selected mutual fund or variable annuity families. They will verify the information
you provided and, if approved, establish security. Vision Support will notify you as soon as the
first mutual fund or variable annuity family is authorized. As additional
authorizations are received, you will be notified by email of the
status of your enrollment requests. Please allow up to ten (10) days to receive
authorization.
How do I add more companies to my ID?
Sign in to Vision using your Vision ID and password. Once on the Main Menu, choose the link on the left-hand side titled "Add Management Companies" and complete the additional companies request form. Management company approval is required prior to accessing your client's accounts.
How do I add Electronic Trading to my ID?
New Vision Users:
- Complete the enrollment form, contact your Broker/Dealer home office and provide them with your Vision ID, Name, Address and Phone Number. Have them call Vision Support at (800) 435-4112 to initiate the Broker/Dealer Authorization process.
Existing Vision Users:
- If you do not currently have access to a fund family that is participates in Trading, complete the Add Management Companies request form, contact your Broker/Dealer home office and provide them with your Vision ID, Name, Address and Phone Number. Have them call Vision Support at (800) 435-4112 to initiate the Broker/Dealer Authorization process.
- If you currently have access to a fund family that is participates in Trading and want to add Trading to your Vision ID, contact your Broker/Dealer home office and provide them with your Vision ID, Name, Address and Phone Number. Have them call Vision Support at (800) 435-4112 to initiate the Broker/Dealer Authorization process.
Management companies are in the process of offering this functionality; however, not all companies are available at this time. Electronic trading enrollment requests are being accepted for all management companies and will be processed once that company offers the functionality. The list of Participating Companies
identifies those currently offering electronic trading.
How do I request additional IDs?
To request additional IDs, please call the Vision hotline at (800) 435-4112. Additional IDs are only available if your current ID is secured at a Dealer level, Branch level or Tax ID level. Access for your new ID(s) will be based on your existing ID and will be sent to the management companies for approval. When the first management company has approved access, an e-mail notification will be sent, listing your new Vision ID and directing you to call the Vision hotline to receive your initial password. As additional management companies are authorized, your Management Company Selection screen will be updated to reflect the additional access and a confirmation e-mail will be sent. Please allow up to ten (10) days for authorization to occur.
Why can't I see all of my accounts?
You will not be able to see any accounts in Vision if the dealer/branch/rep numbers on your accounts differ from what you are approved to view in Vision. If your Broker/Dealer has changed, please use the Add Management Companies request form to update your profile. We will contact the mangement company to make sure that the security change on your Vision ID matches that on your accounts. Please allow up to ten (10) days to update your access.
If I change my broker/dealer, will I still have access?
You will not be able to see any accounts in Vision if the dealer/branch/rep
numbers on your accounts differ from what you are approved to view in Vision.
If your Broker/Dealer has changed, please use the Add Companies
form to update your profile. We will
contact the company to make sure that the security change on your Vision ID matches that
on your accounts. Please allow up to ten (10) days to update your access.
How do I change my password?
Sign in to Vision using your Vision ID and password. Once on the Main Menu, choose the link on the left-hand side titled "Change Your Password". The new password may be alpha/numeric, must be seven or eight characters in length and must contain at least one of the following symbols: @#%_&*()-/?_=+
Although you are not required to change your default password, we strongly recommend that you change it to something you can easily remember.
NOTE: Passwords are NOT case sensitive.
I forgot my password. How can I get it back?
Once you have changed your password we do not track it. You will need to call
the Vision Hotline at (800) 435-4112, and request to have you password reset
to the default.
I lost my Vision ID. How do I get it back?
Since Vision is a secured Web site, you will need to mail or fax (fax number
is (816) 435-8352) a letter to Vision support before they can replace your ID.
This letter must be on your letterhead and must indicate that you have either
lost or misplaced your ID. Your letter should include the following information:
- Contact name/user name
- mailing address
- fax number
- e-mail address
Upon receipt of your letter, Vision support will verify your information and
contact you within one (1) business day.
How is this site secured?
The Vision Web site is secured by either 40-bit or 128-bit encryption depending
upon the company. Encryption is a sophisticated scrambling method designed
to prevent unauthorized eavesdropping on electronic data. Encryption works by
taking a piece of information, such as your client's Social Security Number,
and using a mathematical formula (called an "algorithm") to convert
the information into a meaningless string of letters and numbers. When the string
does reach its intended destination, a similar mathematical formula is applied
to decrypt the data string. 128-bit encryption refers to the size of the key
used to encrypt the message. A longer key means the encryption is more "random,"
and someone attempting to decipher the message would have to try more combinations
of keys. Each extra bit in a key doubles the complexity of the key.
- For Internet Explorer 4: Select the "Help"
menu option and then "About Internet Explorer." The Version box
will open. Next to "Cipher Strength," the box will indicate either
40-bit or 128-bit.
- For Netscape Navigator: Select the "Help"
menu option and then "About Netscape." The 40-bit version will indicate
"International Security" whereas the 128-bit version will indicate
"Secured for United States and Canada Only."
How do I sign up for access to the defined contribution plans?
Complete the Defined
Contribution Plans Enrollment, located on the Product Information page
of the Vision Information web site. This same form is used to change or add additional dealer/branch/rep criteria
to an existing Vision ID for Defined Contribution Plan access. |