Experts predict that the next generation of storage area network (SAN) technology will be built on storage virtualization. IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., already has released storage management products that provide a software virtualization layer that manages physical storage devices.Virtualization of storage hardware resources is just one of two forms SAN virtualization is likely to take, according to John McArthur, analyst with IDC, a Framingham, Mass.-based technology research firm.

A major strategy within the property/casualty insurance industry is entering new distribution channels using the Web and other technologies. To facilitate this strategy, the underlying business functionality that supported the expansion into new distribution channels was primarily based on systems that are on average more than 25 years old-augmented with newer technologies, such as expert underwriting engines.These back-end systems are inherently front-end technology "neutral" and have successfully been front-ended by J2EE and .NET frameworks. While most of these efforts have been successful in meeting the initial goal for entering new markets, these efforts also have uncovered-and in some cases intensified-the inherent legacy problem.

Zix Corporation, a global provider of protection, management, and delivery solutions for electronic communications, announces that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the oldest and largest private health insurer in the state serving almost 770,000 Oklahomans, has signed a three-year contract for ZixCorp secure e-messaging services to help meet the privacy and security guidelines of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

NEW YORK -- The AIG Mergers & Acquisitions Division, a division of the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), announced the launch of its newly designed global Web site, www.AIGMergerRisks.com.

ATLANTA --Ebix, a leading international supplier of software and e-commerce solutions to the insurance industry, announced today that it has changed its name to Ebix, Inc. from ebix.com, Inc. effective immediately.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. --Sprint today announced it has expanded its relationship with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) through a new, multi-million dollar agreement for Cisco Systems customer premise equipment (CPE) and maintenance.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Computer Sciences Corporation today announced that American United Life Insurance Company (AUL) has licensed Automated Work Distributor (AWD) software to improve the efficiency of its back-office operations by streamlining its business processes.

(Dec. 18, 2003) - The Principal Financial Group, the nation's 401(k) leader and premier provider of employee benefits, today announced a strategic agreement to acquire the Molloy Companies, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.

HARTFORD, Conn.--The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) today introduced a plug-in property underwriting program for insurers and alternative risk transfer (ART) organizations. The program combines property reinsurance capacity with a complete turnkey set of underwriting and risk management services.

WASHINGTON--Alice Ross, an engaging 71-year-old grandmother, died when her Buick was rammed by a car packed with gang members allegedly staging a crash in Brooklyn to make fake injury claims against insurance companies.

DALLAS--Docucorp International, a leading provider of enterprise information solutions, announced today the availability of its content management solution for the insurance and financial services industries.

COPENHAGEN--Accenture has been selected to implement its Web-based Claim Components software application at Topdanmark, a leading property and casualty insurance company based in Denmark. Topdanmark is the tenth insurer, and the first in the Nordic region, to license Accenture Claim Components software solution.

Penn-America Group, Inc., which includes the nationally recognized insurance operations of Penn-America Insurance Company and Penn-Star Insurance Company, has selected the TyMetrix' electronic invoicing solution across its claims services group.

New Haven, CT--Metaserver, Inc., a leading provider of business process integration (BPI) solutions for the insurance industry, today announced the release of Metaserver 4.6. The new release builds on Metaserver's rapid, business-focused approach to integration projects and includes several features designed to make it easier for insurance companies to transform data from agencies and service providers into the format required by underwriting, policy administration, and other insurance systems. Metaserver 4.6 also offers a number of enhancements that give organizations increased flexibility for incorporating business rules into the automated processes that orchestrate the interaction of multiple systems.

LA QUINTA, Calif.---Gallaudet Technologies announced the release of Version 2 of their "Do Not Call" software introduced in October. This upgrade adds several new features making compliance with the new Federal Trade Commission laws easy for anyone who may have to call potential customers. The program, that has a free, 7-day trial period, is available for download from the www.DNCLookup.com website. After the 7-day free trial, the one-time registration fee is just $29.95.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn - UnumProvident Corporation announced today that its insurance subsidiary in the United Kingdom, Unum Limited, has reached a new arrangement with the Swiss

HARTFORD, Conn.--Three years of rising property- casualty rates have finally had a favorable impact on loss reserves, substantially reducing estimated deficiency, according to the latest annual study on the subject by Conning Research & Consulting.

HARTFORD, Conn. -Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and Applied Systems, Inc. announced one of the industry's most significant implementations of industry-standard, ACORD-based agency/carrier interface (SEMCI) processing to support the transition of business relative to recent agreements between Travelers and other carriers.

HARTFORD, Conn.--Insurity Inc., a ChoicePoint company, today announced that Insurance Company of the West (ICW), a business unit of The ICW Group, has selected Insurity's Commercial Intellisys property/casualty policy processing services to support its nationwide commercial P&C business. ICW's primary decision drivers were Insurity's large existing client base, and a track record of similar applications already in production servicing the wider industry.

PARSIPPANY, NJ--MFXchange Holdings, Inc. (MFX) announced the launch of its end-to-end application service provider (ASP) commercial lines solution. The comprehensive processing system is Web-based and features the many benefits of ASP-based products. MFX's Ray Roy, Chairman, explains, "MFX's founding mission is to build technology solutions specifically to meet insurance carriers' needs for increased productivity, shorter processing timeframes and lower costs. We provide this, in part, through ASP processing that does not require large capital outlays for hardware and software and is highly cost effective."