REDEFINING I/T

Rough Notes, May 2005

Automation Conference offers sessions to drive "Intellectual Technology"

With the theme, "The New I/T: Automate and Educate," the AAMGA's 2005 Automation Conference attracted principals, systems administrators, developers, and underwriting, marketing, and claims professionals to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, last March. The Automation & Technology Committee, under the guidance of Committee Co-chairs Mark Wilson of Scottsdale Insurance and Matthew Letson of Hanover Excess, developed sessions that promote the notion that "new I/T" aligns operations across the enterprise. And rather than have I/T be an abbreviation for information technology, "new I/T" translates to "intellectual technology"-combining technology tools with crisply executed business plans and strategic objectives. According to Wilson and Letson, new I/T merges business processing, automation, and technological infrastructures and, in the process, enhances service capabilities with the needs of the user, customer, and business partners.

Those interested in attending this year's Automation Conference were encouraged to come a day early to take part in the AAMGA University sessions. (A full article about the AAMGA University's initiatives appears on page 74.) The University Weekend and the Technology Conference were combined for the first time this year in an effort to give those who would normally attend only a University Weekend the opportunity to learn more about the technology side of their organizations. Conversely, those individuals who would normally attend only the Technology Conference would have a chance to learn more about the non-technology side of the business for which they build systems and provide technology solutions. The idea brought about the desired result as approximately half of those who came for the University Weekend stayed through the Technology Conference.

This year's Technology Conference offered a sold-out exhibit hall so attendees could see and compare technology products and services. Showcase demonstrations were held in more private settings so that attendees could meet with technology providers for a detailed demonstration and discussion of new products and services. One regular attendee observed that all the technology solutions he and his staff use came from vendors who were exhibitors at previous AAMGA Technology Conferences.

Among the sessions on the agenda was a discussion of disaster recovery and business continuity planning, as well as information about some of the off-site products that can assist with those efforts. Automation & Technology Committee member Mike Roy of CRC Birmingham presented a case study based on his organization's ability to not miss a beat-even when Hurricane Ivan moved through.

The presentation by Microsoft included an update on its partnership with ACORD to automate workflow and business processes between retail agents, general agents, and carriers. Presenter Wally Marciniak noted that Microsoft is working with carriers to make it easier for all parties in a transaction to interact using the tools that are already in place-such as Word, Office, or Excel. That said, he urged the carriers in the audience to become the innovators by having a "strategic view, enabled by Web services that support standards."

Other sessions included a panel of agents, vendors, and an ACORD representative discussing ways to improve moving data electronically. Another panel examined some of the cool tools and gadgets available today-everything from AirCards (essentially a cell phone on a card for your laptop or handheld device) to virtual meeting technology.

Also on the agenda this year was a discussion of open source development efforts by AAMGA members. A panel examined "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of using open source architecture. Among the benefits of using open source software are reduced acquisition costs, and easy modification for niche functionality. Some of the drawbacks include the lack of "hotline" support, and the need for greater expertise on the part of the developer.

The panel offered several examples of successful development efforts using open source architecture. One MGA told of how one developer and one technician in his organization used open source software to create a Web-based HO3 system that issues some 500 policies a week and processes approximately 400 inquiries. The project took about five weeks. The only cost-about $125-was for the "how to" books.

Another panel member spoke of his experience using open source software to develop a utility to assist in submitting information to the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas. He created a project space at SourceForge.net and has since made the utility available at SourceForge as an open source product.

The panel agreed that sharing an entire program isn't realistic, but sharing utilities such as this one is good for the industry. In that spirit, panel moderator Mark Wilson asked what the next steps might be for the AAMGA as an organization. The audience concurred that there would be value to the AAMGA hosting an "insurance foundry" at SourceForge, if for no other reason than bug tracking. But from a larger view, creating an insurance foundry would encourage members to submit useful projects, contribute to the projects of other AAMGA members, and provide feedback to each other. One member of the audience summarized: "Whether you're a Microsoft zealot or a fan of open source architecture, this project can bring together programmers and developers to provide targeted solutions for the GA community."