PartnerConnect consulting partners now are able to deliver cloud-based applications that combine Guidewire products with their own content and services, as well as complementary third-party products in a hosted environment. Inaugural partners include Capgemini, EY and PwC.

Security vulnerabilities exist in a number of areas; data sent from a wearable device to a nearby smartphone, for example, may be exposed during transfer via Bluetooth or WiFi connections.

Australian insurer Suncorp Group Ltd., has selected Solera's Risk Management Solutions platform to help manage an increasingly complex auto industry, while managing rising customer expectations, Solera said.

Majesco, a provider of insurance software, consulting and services, has launched Majesco Business Analytics, which the company says was built on the foundation of the Cover-All BI. Majesco previously acquired Cover-All, creator of the business intelligence application.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company, provider of workers’ comp insurance, has selected Guidewire’s DataHub and InfoCenter to support its enterprise-wide data management and business intelligence strategies, Guidewire said.

Several carriers gave insight into their technology strategies in their second quarter earnings calls. Here are the highlights.

For an IT strategy to be successful, control areas, such as strategic planning, legal, regulatory and finance, and operational areas, including underwriting, claims, actuarial, product development and marketing, need to help. If that were not challenging enough, IT leaders must be able to create a strategy that works in the context of multiple divisions, entities and possibly countries.

Security researchers demonstrated that they could hack Metromile's UBI dongle; insurance carrier issued patch in June.

Sumitomo acquires Symetra Life from Berkshire Hathaway to establish U.S. presence; XL buys amusement and entertainment specialty insurer

American Family Insurance has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to test drones to facilitate catastrophe response.

Over the next few years, technology will play a vital role for commercial lines insurers as prices firm and new insurers enter the marketplace.

Many insurers are looking to redesigning systems to better support analytics, but it may be better to develop them as separate sideline to be tested and merged into the organization when ready.

Organizations must build digital resilience to protect their most valuable information assets, says McKinsey.

Leader of insurers’ drone program will discuss her parallel journeys in insurance and flight at 2015 Women in Insurance Leadership Forum.

Private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo LLC has acquired the provider of cloud-based straight-through processing technology for an undisclosed sum.

Many insurers find that legacy billing technology limits efficiency for internal operations, effectiveness of customer service, the speed to market for new or modified billing features, and can be an obstacle in delivering capability to agents and policyholders.

Companies predict their IoT budgets will continue increasing year-on-year, with spending expected to grow by 20% by 2018

As cars become increasingly hi-tech, with Internet connectivity and automated parking, braking and obstacle detection, they become more vulnerable to cyber-attack - whether by people looking to steal the vehicle, harm an individual, or carry out activism.

The NAIC’s recent and startlingly rapid moves towards a cyber regulatory doctrine are evidence of the importance and vulnerability of cyberspace.

In a draft document, regulators propose 12 rights for policyholders around cybersecurity.