Issue 2010-22 -- June 1, 2010

This newsletter is for members of the Canadian Insurance Industry, and those who serve it. The newsletter is published weekly, and notes information mostly about the use of the Internet and related technologies in the industry. Some is international, where we feel it is relevant to Canada.




eBusiness and Technology

Temple Insurance and Frank Cowan Company Receive ACORD's 'Most Compelling Case Study' Award.
Orlando, FL (May 25, 2010) - Temple Insurance and Frank Cowan Company have been recognized for using implemented technologies to enhance business process with a 'Most Compelling Case Study Award' from ACORD, the global insurance data standards body. The award was presented on May 24, 2010 at the annual ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum.

Guidewire Software Launches World-wide PartnerConnect Formal Alliance Program.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, May 24, 2010 - At the ACORD/LOMA Insurance Systems Forum, Guidewire Software®, a leading provider of flexible core systems to property/casualty insurers, today announced the launch of PartnerConnect, its global program for strategic System Integrator (SI) and regional consulting alliance partners. The invitation-only program strengthens alliance relationships by formalizing Guidewire's commitment to its partners and puts in place metrics on which alliance success is measured.

Insurance Software Deal Trends 2010: Life/Health/Annuity Edition: Report Published by Celent.
Chicago, IL, USA - May 24, 2010 - In a new report, Insurance Software Deal Trends 2010: Life/Health/Annuity Edition, Celent analyzes deal data provided by software vendors active in insurance in North America. A close look at 2008 and 2009 deals that fall into each metacategory and subcategory shows that insurers are still investing in solutions, despite the economic conditions.

Insurance Software Deal Trends 2010: Property/Casualty Edition: Report Published by Celent.
Chicago, IL, USA - May 24, 2010 - In a new report, Insurance Software Deal Trends 2010: Property/Casualty Edition, Celent analyzes deal data provided by software vendors active in insurance in North America. A close look at 2008 and 2009 deals that fall into each metacategory and subcategory shows that insurers are still investing in solutions, despite the economic conditions.

IDC FutureScan: Buyer Intent Is Positive, But Cautious.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 7, 2010 - The IDC FutureScan indicators for May both made gains over April's mixed results. The combined indicator score nearly matches IDC's latest Black Book forecast of 5.3% growth in U.S. IT spending over the next 12 months. But the FutureScan outlook continues to be held up largely by the macroeconomic indicators as sentiment among IT buyers remains weak.

Distribution

illustrate inc Launches OPUS Make The Sale.
(TORONTO, Canada - May 21, 2010) illustrate inc, today unveiled OPUS, its newest product line for point-of-sale solutions to the insurance and financial services industries. "There is a real need in both industries to eliminate the requirement for advisors to use separate, disconnected software for each step of the sale," says Zahir Dhalla, founder and President of illustrate inc. "We developed OPUS, which stands for One Point Unified System, to be a powerful tool to enable straight through processing."

Optimum General to develop modern connected broker portal: iter8.
May 2010, iter8 Inc., an insurance solutions software developer, is pleased to announce that Optimum General (Optimum) has chosen to work with iter8 in the development of a modern, connected broker portal. Optimum General is a Canadian company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through three subsidiaries with eight regional offices.

Accenture Global Survey Finds Insurers Will Invest $84 Million, on Average, Over the Next Three Years To Improve Distribution Strategy.
NEW YORK and LONDON; May 24, 2010 - Insurers plan to invest $84 million, on average, over the next three years to improve their multi-channel distribution strategies, according to findings of a global survey of 125 insurers by Accenture. The survey also indicates that insurers will shift investment priorities to mobile technologies, digital marketing, including social media such as Facebook, and channel integration over the next three years.

Policy and Product Management

Pitney Bowes Business Insight and Duck Creek Technologies® Form Partnership to Deliver Enhanced Policy Administration Solution.
LAS VEGAS--Pitney Bowes Business Insight and Duck Creek Technologies, Inc. today announced that they are partnering to offer a comprehensive policy administration solution. The integrated solution enables carriers to enhance underwriting operations through more productive, cost-effective and error-proof policy processing. The two companies will be demonstrating the joint solution at Booth #653 at the ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum, to be held May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Mastek and Genpact Announce Strategic Partnership for the Insurance Industry.
MUMBAI, May 25, 2010 - Mastek, a global technology solutions provider to insurance, government and financial service organizations worldwide, today announced that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary MajescoMastek and Genpact, a global leader in business process and technology management, have entered into a new strategic partnership focused on the insurance industry. The partnership brings a new model to help transform insurance carriers' operations, leveraging both business process management and technology solutions.

Consumer Information

"ABC's - 26 Tips for Maintaining a Safe Workplace" by Barb Szychta, Frank Cowan Company.
May 2010 - As June 15th nears, and the Bill 168 amendments to the Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA) get ready to take effect, there are many tasks to remember. Below is a list of 26 key points that can help you with the implementation of policies and procedures, as well as the ongoing process with regard to the new legislation governing workplace violence and harassment.

ICBC and police urge drivers to slow down at intersections.
May 21, 2010 - ICBC and police launched the intersections safety awareness and enforcement campaign today to remind drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists that intersections are busy places and we all need to use caution as we approach them.More than 40 per cent of all police-attended crashes in B.C. happen at intersections. That's why police throughout the province are targeting high-risk driving behaviours near intersections over the next month.

Winnipeg residents strongly support red light photo enforcement: TIRF.
OTTAWA, May 26, 2010 2010 - A public opinion poll on Winnipeg's photo enforcement safety program reveals a clear majority of residents are concerned about drivers running red lights and support photo enforcement. As part of an ongoing study, people in the Winnipeg Census Metropolitan Area (Winnipeg CMA) were polled on various aspects of road safety including their level of concern for drinking and driving, running red lights and speeding.

Ontario Insurance Brokers Offer Water Safety Tips.
Cornwall, Ontario. May 27, 2010. Today, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) kicked off the 2010 R.I.D.E. Drive Safe! campaign at the Royal Canadian Air Force Association Wing 424 Club in Cornwall. IBAO is working in partnership with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) on this campaign, established to promote safety on Ontario roadways and waterways.

Business of Insurance

CFIB: Unfair federal government pensions detract from small business retirement savings.
Toronto, May 18, 2010 - As a part of their submission to the federal government's consultations on the retirement income system, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has highlighted the inequities between public sector plans and those in the private sector. Securing the Future is based on the responses of 7,872 small- and medium-sized business owners regarding their views on how to tackle Canada's retirement income issues in a way that is sustainable for all Canadians.

from Doug:

On the weekend, we celebrated with a small family gathering the 85th birthday of the fourth of my parents and parents-in-law to reach that age. This newest 85-year old has just been through some major health issues, but is vastly improved now compared to a month ago. Like many that age, each of the four has health issues, but they are managing. At their request, we moved their patio furniture from storage onto their patio, so they are now set to better enjoy the sunny warm days of summer - I hope they have many.


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