Verex Implements edge IPK edgeConnect

Verex, a U.K.-based auto insurer, has chosen edge IPK's (Farmington, Conn.) edgeConnect as part of a solution, integrated by ORIAC (Oracle & Insurance Application Consultants), that enables Verex to offer a range of branded insurance products directly to automobile manufacturers, dealers and their customers, according to an edge IPK news release. The initial phase of the initiative, designed for the iconic MG brand, including extensive integration with Verex's existing TIA Technology (Virum, Denmark) solution and Oracle infrastructure, was delivered in six weeks, the vendor reports.

The edgeConnect/ORIAC solution will support Verex's market niche of developing what the edge IPK release describes as innovative insurance products that bring significant value-add to manufacturer offerings. With multiple manufacturer relationships to manage, according to edge IPK, Verex required a Private Motor Quote and Buy solution that could be individually branded but easily and quickly rolled out whenever required. Each solution also had to feature multiple presentations that would be suitable for a range of audiences including both consumers and call center operatives.

The edgeConnect platform was chosen to underpin the overall environment, and edge IPK worked closely with ORIAC to fully integrate the platform with Verex's TIA policy administration system and Oracle database, according to the edge IPK release. In particular, the use of edgeConnect helped the combined teams overcome one of the biggest challenges -providing car dealers and their customers with an easy to use Web system that seamlessly integrates to TIA, the vendor reports. "Verex's reputation will depend on how well we deliver our solutions to new customers," comments Ian Bowen, director, operations and IT, Verex. "The solution we now have in place for our customer, MG, was not only delivered quickly by edge IPK and ORIAC, meeting end user expectations, but puts us in a great position to be able to develop our own products at the same speed in the future. We've gained the double benefit of keeping our customers happy and being able to quickly respond to changing market conditions." By implementing a single screen approach and developing a specific web services layer, Verex not only benefited from a flexible solution that it could roll out to its customer MG, but also guaranteed a level of future-proofing that would guard against unnecessary IT investment risk further down the line, edge IPK claims.

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio