The Economical Insurance Group

Organization Description
The Economical Insurance Group is one of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in Canada, serving customers from coast to coast. Founded in 1871, the company has been a trusted part of the Canadian landscape for 135 years, providing security and support for its customers and broker partners.

The Challenge
The Economical Insurance Group is committed to leveraging technology to enhance quality of services to brokers and expand access to services to a broader market. Many of their brokerage partners have been seeking more effective ways of communicating the significant amounts of data required to produce competitive quotations and issue policies. AchieveIT Solutions was selected to help lay the foundation for achieving these long-term business priorities through the introduction of industry standard, web service technologies.

The Solution
A critical success factor for this project was the collaborative approach that focused on the business benefits of technology. AchieveIT Solutions facilitated a process that ensured the participation of The Economical Insurance Group analytical staff in order to develop a complete understanding of how web services could be applied. AchieveIT Solutions undertook the following activities:

  • Reviewed the current business functions and existing technology tools/approaches.
  • Suggested communications areas to which web services could be appropriately applied.
  • Defined the business needs for the area selected to be used as a proof-of-concept.
  • Documented recommendations and Action Plan to begin implementing the initial web service.
  • Developed an initial Web Service using Java in Rational Application Developer.

Based on this foundation, a Two-Year Strategic Plan and corresponding Two-Year Tactical Plan were developed. AchieveIT Solutions did not approach this project pretending to know all the right answers for The Economical Insurance Group. Instead, by blending the web service expertise of AchieveIT Solutions and the business knowledge of Economical, a technology architecture foundation has been built enabling future web service expansion. This solution will contribute to strengthening Economical's leadership position in a highly competitive insurance industry.

"By partnering with AchieveIT solutions and using their expertise in service oriented development ,The Economical Insurance Group was able to complete our Web Services project earlier than our target date and under budget".

"AchieveIT has the ability to deliver right sized, scalable solutions".

Initiative Manager,
The Economical Insurance Group

Hands

For more information, please contact us.

Results

  • Developed a proof-of-concept web service. Using the preferred development environment of Economical Insurance (RAD, Java), AchieveIT Solutions successfully built and deployed a proof-of-concept web service, addressing the initial business needs.
  • Documented an architecture model. Along with producing class and sequence diagrams for the service, an architectural model was created, detailing web services in The Economical Insurance Group's technical infrastructure.
  • Transferred knowledge to full-time staff. Immediate IT constraints/ issues (limited web services experience) were addressed. Strategic direction, adhering to industry standards, was also established.
  • Established momentum for positive change by achieving buy-in and support from staff at all levels within the organization.

Business Analysis

The first step is to understand and document your current business processes. Next we will paint a picture of your target business vision. Finally, we will then work with you to put together a plan for how to move from where you are to where you want to be.

Software Development

We can work with your team, or design and develop a complete solution for you - including database design, web services, web applications and Windows forms applications.

Web Development

Our team will work with you to design and develop a website that suits your needs and your budget. Options range from static sites to content managed websites including eCommerce capabilities. We also offer hosting solutions aimed at personal and small businesses.