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Integro Deploys Q.Know to Support Paperless Office

Customizable information management systems enable users to file, manage and share companywide electronic information using the Microsoft Outlook platform familiar to executives.

As a new organization, New York-based Integro, the global brokerage launched in May 2005, has a unique opportunity - the ability to define and carry out an IT strategy based on best practices/processes and state-of-the-art systems, unhampered by legacy systems, antiquated architectures and outdated procedures. So CIO Craig Lowenthal knew the company's document management system would have some distinct requirements. "Most or our correspondence will be e-mail," he told Insurance & Technology at this week's IASA Conference. "Everything is electronic."

Lowenthal wanted a solution that would be different from "traditional document management systems [that are] paper based," he says. Integro sought an all-in-one platform that offered integrated functionality of document management, workflow and collaboration. Ease-of-use, transparency and compatibility with Integro's workflow are priorities, and the system had to easily integrate with the Microsoft Outlook and Exchange systems. After evaluating several document management solutions, in December 2005 Integro selected New York City-based Q.Know Technologies Inc.'s Electronic Deal File solution, which enables users to file, manage and share companywide electronic information. The system currently is running in a beta environment and is scheduled to have its official rollout on June 19.

The Electronic Deal File solution is a fully customizable information management system. By managing all file types and applications, all deal-related documents and data from back-end systems become available in a customized dashboard view. The Q-Know system "is a compelling story - it makes a lot of sense," according to Lowenthal.

Whether or not Integro stays true to its quest to be a paperless organization will have more to do with users' habits than the technology itself, Lowenthal acknowledges. Since the Electronic Deal File solution has been set up to reflect and accommodate Integro's workflow, "there should be no reason people are not using this."

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio

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