Penn National Insurance Orders Unisys 32-Way Intel-Based Mainframe, Providing Independent Agents with Web-Based Point-of-Sale System

Business Wire, Jan 11, 2000

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

BLUE BELL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2000

Unisys e-action Enterprise Server ES7000 to consolidate the

workload of over 60 servers from Compaq, IBM, H-P and other vendors,

reducing costs and complexity

Unisys Corporation today announced that it has received an order from Penn National Insurance of Harrisburg, PA for a 32-processor Unisys e-action Enterprise Server ES7000 based on the Cellular MultiProcessing (CMP) architecture.

ES7000 servers remove the last barriers to using Microsoft and Intel technology as the foundation for global, high-volume electronic business computing.

The solution will enable Penn National's network of 1,200 independent agents to process their Penn National Insurance claims at any time, from any place, via secure access to Penn National Insurance information systems over the World Wide Web.

This integrated point-of-sale system is expected to improve the speed and variety of services that Penn National agents can provide customers, as well as help reduce the company's computing costs.

The order is part of an enterprise-wide initiative to enhance Penn National's electronic business capabilities and consolidate the company's current "server farm," which comprises well over 60 servers from Compaq and other vendors supporting over 2,000 users, including the independent agents. Consolidation reduces the complexity associated with managing and maintaining a large network of servers, lowering cost of ownership while improving system reliability. The contract awarded Unisys also includes servers, consulting services and storage systems for migrating from Penn National's current enterprise architecture to the new Unisys Intel-based mainframe.

Over time, Penn National Insurance will also use the Unisys ES7000 -- which uses the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system -- to run legacy insurance applications currently handled by an IBM mainframe, and ultimately to replace two large-scale Hewlett-Packard UNIX-based servers housing a data warehouse for executive decision support.

This enterprise-wide application of Microsoft-based server technology will enable Penn National Insurance to simplify and reduce the costs of computing while improving its ability to server customers and agents.

Partitioned into six server nodes, the ES7000 will enable "in-the-box" clustering to support uninterrupted system availability. The partitions will support Penn National Insurance's production environment, test and file/print operations within a single cabinet.

Because the Unisys solution for Penn National Insurance applies the "thin-client" computing model, in which most processing is done by centralized servers rather than PCs, Penn National Insurance agents can use a variety of desktop systems -- including older PCs or inexpensive Windows-based terminals -- to gain access to the information.

"As soon as we were introduced to the Cellular MultiProcessing concept, the potential advantages to our operation were quickly apparent," said Tom Miele, director of infrastructure, Penn National Insurance. "For the first time, we are able to provide the data-center-class reliability and performance our business requires without the premium price tag associated with such enterprise capability until now."

Penn National Insurance's production environment will run the Allenbrook Phoenix insurance solution for integrated commercial lines policy administration. Included in the production environment is the policy processing system, which handles all policy entry, rating, underwriting, renewals, change transactions, cancellations and reinstatements.

In addition to architecture transition services, the Unisys solution includes technologies for enabling a smooth transition to the ES7000. In the first phase of Penn National Insurance's initiative to consolidate its infrastructure, two clustered eight-way Unisys e-action Enterprise Server ES5085 systems will support the Allenbrook insurance solutions, two clustered four-way ES5045 servers will be devoted to testing and another cluster of four-ways will handle file and print functions.

Other Unisys servers will be devoted to thin-client software, Web functions and database processing.

About Penn National Insurance

Penn National Insurance, through its network of more than 1,200 independent insurance agencies, offers quality insurance protection, competitive pricing and outstanding customer service. Founded in 1919, Penn National Insurance maintains a strategic commitment to the Independent Agency System as its sole means of distribution.

The company offers a broad range of property-casualty insurance products for small to mid-sized commercial insureds, and personal auto, homeowners, and umbrella coverage. Excess and surplus lines insurance are available through its brokerage subsidiary, ESL, Inc. and self-insured services are available through subsidiary, Inservco Insurance Services, Inc.

About Unisys

Unisys is an electronic business solutions company whose 35,000 employees help customers in 100 countries apply information technology to seize opportunities and overcome challenges of the Internet economy. Unisys people integrate and deliver the solutions, services, platforms and network infrastructure required by business and government to transform their organizations for success in this new era.