Content posted in April 2009
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Aviva Selects Lombardi for BPM
Aviva will leverage Lombardi's Teamworks business process management (BPM) suite to support global process improvement efforts.
Innovating in a Down Market: BCBS of Florida Leverages Brainshark
Budget constraints may shrink carriers' appetites for large-scale investment in R&D, but more bite-size solutions can help insurers innovate on a smaller scale.
CodeObjects Launches Policy Admin Solution
CodeObjects has introduced Policy Enterprise, a policy administration system for P&C insurers.
Silanis Partners with Thunderhead
Silanis Technology has partnered with Thunderhead to e-signature enable documents generated by the Thunderhead NOW.
Economy Drives Exploration of New Outsourcing Opportunities
Economic concerns will trump political anxieties when it comes to outsourcing decisions in the near future. And while some carriers may balk at offshore options, all insurers will explore alternative software delivery models, including software as a service.
2009 IT Budgets: Insurers Value Long-term Strategy Over Short-term Tactical Gains
In an effort to avoid sacrificing long-term strategic plans for short-term tactical gains, those carriers that are able to are demonstrating patience with regards to their 2009 IT spending plans.
Ohio National’s IT Organization Shines in Challenging Business Environment
Ohio National inherent strengths have enabled it to shine in response to the challenges faced by the life insurance industry in the wake of the financial crisis.
Transamerica Life Canada Deploys BlueSun’s Producer Portal to Enhance Distributor Performance
Transamerica Life Canada Deploys BlueSun's Producer Portal to Enhance Distributor PerformanceWeb-based asset-retention system improves information access.
Towers Perrin Releases Economic Capital Calculation Tool
RiskAgility Economic Capital Aggregator (RiskAgility EC) can help insurers to calculate economic capital faster and more reliably, according to the vendor.
Celina Signs Data Center Contract with iB3
Celina Insurance Group has signed a three year data center contract with iB3 Networks.
SunGard Offers WealthStation SaaS
Vendor cites increasing demand for cost-effective services from experienced advisors departing traditional banks and brokerage firms, as well as individual investors seeking guidance from such professionals.
American Family Selects TRIRIGA for Facilities Management, Environmental Sustainability
While some insurer's consider environmentally friendly initiatives as 'nice to have' projects in the current economic climate, carriers such as American Family recognize that there are hard dollar savings in going green.
AIG Names Winter Vice Chairman, Hurd VP and Chief Administrative Officer
The two executives will pay key roles in AIG's efforts to restructure its businesses and repay the government assistance the company has received, according to AIG CEO Ed Liddy.
Carriers Should Keep Up with Cloud Computing Advances, Challenges
CIOs looking to improve efficieny and cut IT costs should stay current with the benefits and challenges of cloud computing, asserts Tom Pettibone, Founder and Managing Partner, Transition Partners.
Wolters Kluwer Offers Online Compliance Tools to U.K Insurers
Solutions are aimed at U.K. insurers doing business in the United States.
Honor Roll: This Week's Top Insurance Blogs (Apr. 19-25)
Our favorite insurance technology-related blog posts from around the Web (April 19-25, 2009):
Former CIOs Face Tough Job Market
As insurers offer fewer senior technology positions to more applicants, consulting work may be a good way for unemployed CIOs to ride out a tough economy — especially as it often leads to a permanent position.
Standards Provide Value Today and Tomorrow
The value of data standards begins with implementation and continues over time, asserts Lloyd Chumbley, VP, Standards, ACORD.
Amerisure Realizes New Benefits From Thin Computing Initiative
As cost savings has become more of a priority for insurers during the economic downturn, Amerisure is realizing new benefits from its thin-client computing initiatives.
Managing Layoffs: Surviving the Transition
Outsourcing and layoffs not only affect the employees who may be transferred or let go, they also present hazards for the effective functioning of IT organizations after the transaction is completed.
Securian Financial Earns LEED EB Certification
Securian's downtown St. Paul, Minn. building has earned certification for leadership in energy and environmental design.
Advisor Products Releases CRM Interface
Advisor Products has unveiled an interface with the XLR8 for Salesforces CRM application.
Zurich’s TOM Intiative Takes Aim at Long-Term Profitable Growth
Zurich Financial Services' Target Operational Model initiative is built to anticipate the future demands of the market while building-in flexibility.
Nationwide Offers Policyholders Free iPhone Claims App
Available to customers through the Apple App Store, the mobile application enables claims reporting from an accident site.
Cultivating the Workforce of the Future
Genworth Financial is taking steps to ensure that the IT talent inherent in the younger generations is a part of the company's future.
Survival Skills: Insurance CIOs Must Adapt to Changing Market
Insurance CIOs must focus on business strategy and results to survive, according to Michael A. Costonis, Executive Director of Accenture's North American Insurance Practice & Global Claims Lead, and Keith Lippiatt, Managing Director, Technology Consulting Financial Services, Accenture.
Portico Acquires Kryptiq’s Choreo Health Plan Business
The acquisition expands Portico's customer base from 17 to 33 healthcare customers who serve 30 million members nationally, and will enable Portico to offer contracting solutions that range from turnkey, stand-alone solutions, to configurable, integrated solutions, according to the vendor.
BCBSM Taps Canopy Financial for Healthcare Banking Platform
Canopy's CareGain solution will power Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's Flexible Blue consumer-directed healthcare plan.
Union Labor Life Selects SEG Policy Admin System
SEG's rules-based system will enable Union Labor Life Insurance Company to manage growth while providing better customer service more efficiently.
Bill Krivoshik Named Marsh & McLennan CIO
The former AIG and Travelers Life & Annuity CIO was most recently CTO at Thomson Financial, where he oversaw the company's technology and information operations globally.
Video: Perspective on the Oracle/Sun Deal
With Oracle set to buy Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion in cash, Bloomberg TV talks with David Rudow, an analyst at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, who says that the deal "came out of left field" but nonetheless makes a lot of sense for Oracle...
Mitchell Unveils WorkCenter Total Loss 3.0
Mitchell International has released a new version of its total loss valuation system.
International Insurance Society Names Morrissey President & CEO
Prior to joining the IIS, Morrissey was chairman and CEO, Firemark Investments. As a founder of Firemark, Morrissey was also the chief investment officer for the company and portfolio manager of the Firemark Tiger Fund.
MajescoMastek Partners with Flexi Software to Integrate Accounting Solution
Under the terms of the partnership, MajescoMastek will add Flexi Software's accounting solution to the STG Suite for all insurance transactions, including general ledger, accounts payable, fixed assets, purchasing and projects.
Humana Appoints Raja Rajamannar Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer
Rajammanar will lead the Louisville, Ky.-based health insurer's Innovation Center, as well as its marketing, corporate communications and government relations organization.
Admiral Group Selects Sword Ciboodle’s CRM Platform
The Sword Ciboodle CRM solution will enhance Admiral's existing customer service agent systems, addressing the key goal of reducing the number of screens and steps required to fulfill customer requests while providing agents with correct information for customers, in a timely fashion, the vendor says.
Honor Roll: This Week's Top Insurance Blogs (Apr. 12-18)
Our favorite insurance technology-related blog posts from around the Web (April 12-18, 2009):
Farmers Insurance Group Will Acquire 21st Century, Other AIG Personal Auto Carriers
The $1.9 billion deal to acquire AIG's Personal Auto Group is expected to close by the third quarter of 2009, pending regulatory approval.
New AXA Tech CTO Vincent Cohan Drives Global Focus
Moving away from a more regional orientation, AXA's IT services organization will provide worldwide network connectivity and management of IT assets, hardware and software, change control and incident management.
Delta Dental Names Makkala VP Enterprise IT
Former People's United executive will oversee improvements to Delta Dental companies' IT effectiveness and replacement of key operating and processing systems.
Rural Community Insurance Signs with Torrent
Rural Community Insurance Company has selected Torrent Technologies for back office services related to its Flood Insurance Program involvement.
Lexmark Unveils 9 New Devices
Lexmark International has introduced nine new monochrome laser multifunction products (MFPs).
Insurers Seek Fewer, Deeper Partnerships With Technology Vendors
Whether carriers are being more cautious or more aggressive in their technology investment, they are likely to renegotiate with vendors and seek fewer, deeper partnerships.
IBM Launches Analytics-focused Consulting Practice
IBM has launched IBM Business Analytics and Optimization Services, a large analytics-focused practice within its Global Business Services group.
Peel Mutual Launches Agent Portal Based on iter8 Technology
Using iter8's Collabor8 agent portal software and services from the Toronto-based vendor, the Brampton, Ontario based personal and commercial lines carrier seeks superior ease-of-doing-business for its independent distributors.
Guidewire, AgencyPort Form Alliance
Guidewire has partnered with AgencyPort Insurance Solutions to provide improved ease of doing business capabilities to its PolicyCenter customers.
First Guard Insurance Offers Truckers Mobile Claims Submission
Truckers covered by First Guard can report new claims via handheld mobile devices in a process that takes less than five minutes to complete.
COUNTRY Financial Goes Live on Insurity’s Policy Decisions
Implementation of the customized commercial lines Insurity solution is aimed at bringing greater value to the financial representative and independent agents supported by COUNTRY Financial and its MiddleOak affiliates.
Insurance CIOs Must Focus on Retaining Top Talent During Downturn
In rough economic times, top-tier IT professionals remain the most mobile. Insurers that can afford to should aim at beefing up their organizations; all CIOs need to work harder to hold onto the quality people they already have on staff.
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