Doing a Lot with Little

Although it works with a modest budget, Cincinnati Equitable is able to cater to agents' needs.

As vice president of IT, the biggest challenge is "meeting the varied needs of the agents on a small budget," says Terry Brown, Cincinnati Equitable.

Smart Choices

COMPANY: Cincinnati Equitable (Cincinnati, Ohio, $36 million in assets).

LINES OF BUSINESS: All personal lines, including preferred and non-standard automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, inland marine, watercraft and personal umbrella.

IT STAFF: Eight

IT BUDGET: $1.2 million

KEY EXECUTIVES: Terry Brown, vice president of IT; Jim Ketring, president and chief executive officer; Peter Alpaugh, chairman; Greg Baker, chief financial officer.

TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE: Cincinnati Equitable uses client/server software with an N-tiered architecture. The carrier utilizes Microsoft (Redmond, Wash.) SQL server and Windows 2000, and software from Applied Systems (University Park, Ill.) and IBS (Oak Brook, Ill.). Both Applied Systems and IBS also provide consulting services to the insurer.

WHAT IS YOUR TECHNOLOGY PHILOSOPHY?

TERRY BROWN: "Technology is a tool used to simplify processes and improve efficiencies. It helps [Cincinnati Equitable] to focus on our key business objectives."

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