CSC’s Java-based POINT IN Update Marks a New Beginning
Moving to compete with new-technology systems vendors, CSC introduced a Java EE-compliant version of its POINT IN policy administration solution for P&C insurers. Announced in late September at the company's Connect 2008 Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., POINT IN J was developed in Sun Microsystems' Java programming language to provide insurers with an open systems platform to improve efficiency and help speed new products to market, according to the Austin, Texas-based vendor. CSC partnered with Sun (Santa Clara, Calif.) to certify the new solution on Sun's Solaris operating system.
According to a press release, CSC will provide support for POINT IN J and non-Java versions of the system through its continuous delivery software upgrades. Integrated components of older releases of POINT IN will be compatible with POINT IN J, the company says.
The release of POINT IN J gives CSC entree into the growing market for rules-based policy administration platforms and undermines charges that the vendor has placed insufficient focus on the development of newer technology platforms.
"Many companies have crossed POINT IN off their short lists lately due to the technology stack, and this removes that barrier and puts one of the most broadly functional systems with the largest client base back into play for new deals," says Matthew Josefowicz, insurance practice director at New York-based Novarica.
Jim Cook, president of CSC's financial services sector, says one driver behind the vendor's decision to develop a Java-based system was an emerging generation of CIOs who are looking for solutions on more-modern code bases. "They're not going to be patient with the old generation of technology," Cook said.
The launch of POINT IN J may also signal intent on the part of Sun Microsystems to expand its footprint in the P&C industry. Sun was directly involved with the product announcement, with Sun chairman and cofounder Scott McNealy onstage at the conference to help CSC unveil the solution.
Ray August, president of CSC's Property & Casualty Insurance Division, says the companies are working together to convince customers to adopt the Sun platform. "Part of this is that [CSC] has a name in property and casualty," he relates. "Sun has a great name in technology, but really not much of a footprint in property and casualty."
With additional reporting by Anthony O'Donnell
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