SmartSearch / Iress Integration : FAQ last updated August 2025
We have collated some answers to Frequently Asked Questions for your information. This a living document so we expect to add to it as we move forwards.
What SmartSearch Product does the integration link to?
- We are currently connecting to the SmartSearch UK AML service, however further check types are in scope for future releases.
If I want to do a check on a different profile type (i.e. overseas business) what should I do?
- You will still be able to perform other check types directly via the SmartSearch portal and any email alerts you have already set up (i.e. regarding PEP and Sanction Alerts) will continue to work as they do now.
How can I get SS on my Xplan site?
- You need to have an existing account at SmartSearch.
- If you don’t already have an account please contact Smartsearch via this web form
- Secondly your Xplan site must be configured to enable the SmartSearch Integration.
- If you are on a single site - site configuration will be actioned by Iress. If you already have some configuration in place for Smartsearch checks currently done manually - i.e. document notes types and workflows, this will likely need to be a joint effort. To initiate this please contact your account manager who will raise a ticket for you.
- If you are on a multi tenent site (i.e. part of a network or an Iress Essentials client) - you need to raise a request through Iress Connect under the integrations option. The Team will take it from there and advise once complete.
- Future releases may add the ability to self serve - the current manual set up process is documented here.
Are there specific User capabilities needed to use the service?
- Aside from access to the client the User will need to have the basic capability to add docnotes. A user will however need to be a primary member of a SmartSearch enabled group.
How can I add my User to a SmartSearch Group?
- This will be completed by your site administrator. For Iress Essentials clients your site administrator is Iress - you will need to raise a request via the Iress Connect Portal.
- Select the Open Integrations tile and under integration choose 'SmartSearch'. Please note that you will be required to supply your SmartSearch Account Id and API secret that you will need to obtain from your SmartSearch account manager which will look something like this:
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SmartSearch account reference (App id) - 0eE46y4d4-13b5-40e3-b230-dd22a3bc557f
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SmartSearch Secret (Password) - beanS)&(e612345
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Can I connect more than one Xplan account to one Smartsearch account?
- Yes, you can. You can connect multiple Xplan entities to one SmartSearch account - but you cannot connect one Xplan entity to more than one SmartSearch account
My business has multiple Smartsearch profiles will that be a problem?
- Iress can only connect an Xplan User account to one external SmartSearch account at a time. If you have multiple external accounts you will need to pick one.
My business already has a connection with another EID&V supplier, can you connect to that?
- Iress support integrations with both SmartSearch and GBG. In some cases it is possible for one firm to maintain a connection with both providers - or swap between them without losing history. If you have questions about this - or there is another Provider you are interested in connecting to - please raise a request via your account manager.
How much does Iress charge for this integration?
- Iress does not charge our Xplan clients for this integration. However, we may choose to offer a separate feature-rich, paid-for connection at a future point in time.
What data is sent to SmartSearch?
- The mandatory information needed is:
- Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- If these elements are not present in Xplan we will not send the check request. Additionally if present in Xplan we will also send:
- UK Passport Number
- UK Driving Licence Number
- National Insurance Number (NINO).
- Note that the passport and licence details will be taken from the standard ‘ID Verification’ page in Xplan where document details can be recorded illustrated below.
I cannot send a check request to SmartSearch - I get an error message about the address, what should I do?
- Just as you would if you were to key in an address into the SmartSearch UI, you need to make sure that address data is in the right fields in Xplan - which we then map to the corresponding fields in Smartsearch. While we do not check for the accuracy of the input Iress will thow up an error like the one below if a mandatory field is blank. The error message tells you which line to update - in this case there is no house number or name present.
- We have not sent the check to SmartSearch, as it would fail, and you have not been charged by SmartSearch for this. To fix the issue take a look at the address and update accordingly before re-trying.
I am set up for email alerts from SmartSearch - will these be fed back into Xplan?
- No. If you have alerts set up based on parameters such as a check fail or an existing client is flagged in ongoing monitoring - these will continue to operate as before.
What should I do if a check fails?
- This is entirely down to you and your firm’s own business practices. However if you spot that the AML failure is due to the presence of bad data in Xplan (i.e. an incorrect house number in the home address), we recommend this is corrected in Xplan and a new check submitted.
Can I run a 'High Risk' Search?
- No. The integration does not differeniate between normal and high risk searches. A high risk search requires a corroboration of AML information across a greater range of the databases SmartSearch use. You can still run these type of searches manually via the SmartSearch Portal and we may choose to introduce this feature at a future date.
