New Functionality At eMitchell.com Enables ''End to End'' On-line Collision Repair Claims Processing

Business Wire, Feb 5, 2001

Business Editors & Auto Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2001

New Functionality Marks Another Important Step in Mitchell's

e-Business Strategy

Mitchell International today announced major new functionality at eMitchell.com that enables "end to end" on-line processing of collision repair claims from first notice of loss through repair and payment. eMitchell.com is Mitchell's open and interactive Internet workspace and marketplace for the insurance and collision repair industries. With on-line claims processing, users will realize greater efficiencies, reduced cycle times and significant cost savings.

Mitchell is currently setting up pilots of the new claims processing functionality. Companies interested in participating in a pilot or with questions about eMitchell.com can contact Mitchell at ebusiness@mitchell.com.

"This important milestone in functionality further underscores that Mitchell is providing the premier e-Business site for the insurance and collision repair industries," said Jim Lindner, Mitchell's president and Chief Executive Officer. "Rather than simply talking about providing comprehensive e-commerce solutions, Mitchell is moving forward rapidly and delivering real, value-adding functionality and a suite of applications that are available now."

Mitchell is uniquely positioned to deliver the industry's foremost online claims processing site because of its firmly established interconnectivity with insurer's legacy systems and its use of open communication (CIECA or Internet XML) standards. "In the development of eMitchell.com, Mitchell has gone to great lengths to maintain integration with existing legacy systems," said Steve Yin, Mitchell's vice president of e-Business. "This means insurers can adopt claims processing at eMitchell.com today since all data exchange can occur through existing channels."

Yin added that easy integration provides greater flexibility. "Insurers can implement our entire claims processing solution or just the components that address their immediate business needs. This 'stair-step' approach enables our customers to choose the solution that's best for them or to take a phased approach to on-line claims processing," he said.

The claims processing functionality is another significant step in Mitchell's e-Business strategy, kicked off with the launch of eMitchell.com last fall. The site provides access to a growing number of online products and services that enable the various parties in the collision repair supply chain -- from body shops to parts vendors to insurers -- to conduct more and more business online. Its open infrastructure will allow any authorized user to access information with only a Web browser -- no special hardware or software is required. The site offers an extremely secure environment, with 128-bit data encryption, SSL and a dual authentication database.

The site's new functionality streamlines and speeds processing by enabling users to handle claims transactions online, thus eliminating many time-consuming tasks including paper faxing, copying, mailing and reentering data among the various parties in the claims process. To further ease the process, the site provides workspaces tailored to the specific roles of claims participants -- from dispatcher to estimator to claims manager. Dispatchers, for instance, will find an online workspace for creating and editing first notice of loss reports and sending assignments on electronically to shop or staff estimators or independent adjusters. Estimators can then create the estimate using the estimating system of their choice and upload the information to eMitchell.com, where reviewers or adjusters can immediately access and review the document online.

"The 'real-time' transfer of information throughout the claims process will greatly reduce cycle times, which translates into increased customer satisfaction and retention, and improved profitability," Yin said. The electronic streamlining will also bring increased productivity and expense efficiencies to claims departments, which can process claims faster and eliminate many administrative tasks such as manual or double data entry.

For added efficiency, the workspaces are customizable. Upon signing on, users will be taken directly to their workspace, which is specially equipped with the products and services they have requested. For claims managers, the site provides the added workspace feature of productivity tracking, allowing managers to track productivity per dispatcher and estimator.

In addition to the claims processing functionality, Mitchell also simultaneously announced the release of FirstImages.com, an online digital imaging application that lowers DRP start-up and maintenance costs for insurance companies. FirstImages is one of a suite of products residing at eMitchell.com designed to create greater efficiency throughout the collision repair supply chain. Other Mitchell products at the site include: FirstEstimate.com, the industry's first Internet-based estimating system, and iNTOTAL.com, the industry's first online total loss settlement solution. Currently in beta testing, AIM Online will soon join Mitchell's suite of online products and provides comprehensive claims management reports. Overall, more than 35 new strategically targeted business functions are planned at eMitchell.com.