Insure Think

Today’s CIO should be less a technologist, and more a business person who creates advantages and differentiators using technology

Understanding how to leverage social media, winning customer loyalty through service and finding new innovations can make a world of difference for insurers.

The first step for many claims investigators now is to scour social networking sites for information.

Tracking cell phone and other device locations may aid in fighting crime, but it could also violate privacy and hamper efforts to track vehicles for insurance purposes.

While much ballyhooed and potentially important, insurers should first take a breath and think about where they fit into the big picture.

After 18 months of study, presidential commission finds that everybody and nobody is responsible for the financial crisis.

While it may be all fun and games for kids and consumers, the glut of location-aware services pose an increasing claims threat for insurers.

Some insurers have recognized this large base of skills and assets, and found ways to leverage them.

SAS co-founder & CEO Jim Goodnight reflects on the promise and challenges surrounding business analytics technology.

While many vendor calls to insurance execs aren't immediately valuable, maintaining an inward-facing world view and ignoring what's happening in the industry can be detrimental.

A new report says smartphone users are more likely than PC users to fall victim to phishing and providing confidential information.

While the movie portrays Facebook as a platform born of a grudge by a jilted, love-struck student, insurers are taking the site very seriously.

SOA is so pervasive, it impacts everybody in an organization from top to bottom.

10 things CIOs must take into account when justifying the need to transform core systems.

The presidents of the U.S. and China say the right things, but details, as usual, are sorely lacking.

No longer is a simple customer transaction an event that is unlikely to damage a company’s reputation and brand.

Catalan system sifts through large volumes of data to find patterns of interest.

A computer of Watson’s power would be a definite boon if available to insurers.

Aflac’s CIO discusses how technology has made a significant difference for the company’s agents and employees.

After what seemed like a lull over the holidays, spammers are back at it with renewed gusto, and social networking sites offer fertile ground for growth.

Underwriters had their work cut out for them last year trying to figure out these vehicular advancements.

Cloud, technically speaking, may be a simple concept using existing technologies, but don't be fooled into thinking that's all it is.

New ioSafe model may appeal for rugged insurance field operations.

Can you imagine conducting all of your day-to-day business on a smartphone? Yeah, didn’t think so…

Before your New Year’s resolutions begin to fall by the wayside, you should ask yourself the following questions.

How can insurers protect privacy when insureds place so little value on it?

What’s hidden below the surface is what drives disproportionate cost in your organization.

We know mainframes can take a pounding, but they also need to be responsive and Web-aware.

In the year to come, popular sentiment will push wireless device growth in insurance/financial services, but increasing security problems will push back.

Despite the prevalence of the trusted adviser model, relationships are expensive and at low premium levels, not worth the investment.

Judy Johnson, a much-heralded and beloved figure, passes away.

Those who view SOA as a "magic bullet" may consider taking a more realistic approach to its implementation.

With much at stake, insurers may benefit from mobile web best practices being issued by an international standards body.

One thing is certain: Technology will play the most prominent role in all efforts.

How will insurance and financial services IT react to a recovering economy? The guru tells all.

Paying attention to the signs and reacting properly will result in success.

When it comes to IT, insurers kept their investment cards close to the vest in 2010.

Despite popular opinions, many firms continue to take a smart approach to SOA.

Our industry needs a glimmer of hope in this dreary time.

By streamlining and enhancing IT operations, Chartis already has recouped about $127 million in infrastructure savings.

Insurers may want to take heed of these trends and incorporate them into their own customer experience strategies.

Surprisingly little data combined with new technology can uncover connections between individuals that may hurt insurers and insureds.

A culture of complacency hampers information security efforts, and as a result, sensitive corporate data is vulnerable to tampering and theft.

Despite significant global economic struggles affecting all financial services firms, Asian insurers persevered to create innovative products and business practices.

Courier services and pizza places already have websites with robust sales and services features; insurers should, too.

For those not on thin-client hookups, the message is clear: Know what applications are on your systems and how they work.

Improved searchability and knowledge sharing are just two of the benefits of the “less-paper” office.

Gone are the days when a single vendor—or even engaging two or three vendors—is a viable strategy.

Between anticipated insurer cutbacks and increased outsourcing of operations, the picture isn’t rosy for insurance IT folk.

Could mobile apps be making insurance fun and friendly for the consumer?

If it costs more to process medical records, someone will have to pay those costs--but it doesn’t have to be that way.

It's never been more important for insurers, especially in the UK, to talk to the business about how and where IT can contribute to cost containment and profitability.