Managing IT Resources More Effectively in a Time of Crisis

Insurance & Technology's IT Survival Guide 2009

NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With financial services in crisis,
it may be tempting to hide from the turmoil. But that could mean missing a
tremendous opportunity. In fact those organizations that can find ways to
control expenses while also investing in innovative technology strategies are
likely to come out of the downturn as big winners.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090518/NY18083)

Insurance & Technology's new IT Survival Guide provides targeted and proven
information about how to manage IT resources more effectively in a time of
crisis and how to make sure that the IT organization is recognized as an
integral part of an insurance enterprise's performance and success. There's no
reason to concede any ground in today's marketplace, and I&T created the IT
Survival Guide to provide you with the tools and resources you need to fight
-- and win.

FROM THE EDITOR
Getting Through the Crisis: Insurance & Technology Provides Strategies and
Tools With New "IT Survival Guide"
I&T presents an in-depth report on the tools, skills and philosophies that can
help insurance technology executives effectively manage budgets, maximize
resources, and help drive growth -- even in the toughest business environment
in years.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217300521

NAVIGATING IT BUDGET CHALLENGES
2009 IT Budgets: Insurers Value Long-term Strategy Over Short-term Tactical
Gains
In an effort to avoid sacrificing long-term strategic plans for short-term
tactical gains, those carriers that are able to are demonstrating patience
with regards to their 2009 IT spending plans.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217200505

The Right Projects at the Right Time
By linking business strategy to business processes and then to IT investments,
insurers can maximize ROI while controlling costs and remaining competitive in
the marketplace.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217300853

Insurers Seek Fewer, Deeper Partnerships With Technology Vendors
Carriers seeking operational efficiency and growth are willing to invest in
IT, but CIOs are cutting costs where they can and leveraging vendor
capabilities for customized innovation.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500883

CIOs Must Adopt an Offensive Strategy to Execute the New IT Mandate
Today's economic environment is driving a departure from well-established
maxims of good IT practices. CIOs should adopt an offensive strategy to
confront the demands of a new IT mandate.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217300132

TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES THAT SAVE MONEY
Carriers Should Keep Up with Cloud Computing Advances, Challenges
CIOs looking to improve efficiency and cut IT costs should stay current with
the benefits and challenges of cloud computing, asserts Tom Pettibone, Founder
and Managing Partner, Transition Partners.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217100311

Economy Drives Exploration of New Outsourcing Opportunities
Insurers are slightly more cautious about the financial, political and
security risks of offshoring, but they are keen to find new BPO opportunities.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217200652

Amerisure Realizes New Benefits From Thin Computing Initiative
Although Amerisure initially deployed thin-client workstations to create a
more stable infrastructure, now that cost savings has become a priority for
insurers during the economic downturn, the carrier is ahead of the curve.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217100129

American Family Selects TRIRIGA for Facilities Management, Environmental
Sustainability
While some insurers consider environmentally friendly initiatives as 'nice to
have' projects in the current economic climate, carriers such as American
Family recognize that there are hard dollar savings in going green.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217100351

Standards Provide Value Today and Tomorrow
The value of data standards begins with implementation and continues over
time, asserts Lloyd Chumbley, VP, Standards, ACORD.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217100273

WORKFORCE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Insurance CIOs Must Focus on Retaining Top Talent During Downturn
In rough economic times, top-tier IT professionals remain the most mobile.
Insurers that can afford to should aim at beefing up their organizations; all
CIOs need to work harder to hold onto the quality people they already have on
staff.
http://www.insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500450

Cultivating the Workforce of the Future
Understanding, attracting and retaining the next generation of IT
professionals -- and visionaries -- doesn't just happen without a plan.
Genworth Financial is taking steps to ensure that the IT talent of the younger
generations is a part of the company's future, reports SVP and CIO Scott
McKay.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217000241

Managing Layoffs: Surviving the Transition
Outsourcing and layoffs not only affect the employees who may be transferred
or let go, they also present change management challenges and hazards for the
effective functioning of IT organizations after the transaction is completed,
as Billy McCarter, now SVP, Delivery, for MajescoMastek, knows all too well.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217100121

Former CIOs Face Tough Job Market
As insurers offer fewer senior technology positions to more applicants,
consulting work may be a good way for unemployed CIOs to ride out a tough
economy -- especially as it often leads to a permanent position.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217100282

SURVIVING CRISIS AND CHANGE
Innovating in a Down Market: BCBS of Florida Leverages Brainshark
Budget constraints may shrink carriers' appetites for large-scale investment
in R&D, but more bite-size solutions can help insurers innovate on a smaller
scale, as evidenced by BCBS of Florida's adoption of Brainshark.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217200806

Survival Skills: Insurance CIOs Must Adapt to Changing Market
Accenture consultants identify the traits that high-performance insurance CIOs
must exhibit as they adapt their skill sets and evolve a new IT strategy in
response to post-crisis challenges.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217000239

Zurich's TOM Initiative Takes Aim at Long-Term Profitable Growth
IT plays a key role in Zurich's Target Operating Model program implemented
across the dimensions of facilities/configuration, people, processes,
platforms and IT, and performance management.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217300167

Ohio National's IT Organization Shines in Challenging Business Environment
Long-term technology decisions, sound resource allocation and good
communication have helped Ohio National's IT professionals to respond to a
rapidly changing business environment in life and annuities.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217200402

Insurance CIOs Deal With the Pressure of Today's Economic Climate
Can you handle the pressure? Some distinguished insurance CIOs reveal how they
deal with the pressures of the job from a personal perspective.
http://insurancetech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217300133
Press Contact
Katherine Burger
Editorial Director
kburger@techweb.com
212-600-3062

SOURCE InsuranceTech.com

Katherine Burger, Editorial Director, +1-212-600-3062, kburger@techweb.com