Techwatch

Mobile Communication

WATERLOO, ONTARIO * RESEARCH IN MOTION (RIM) introduced the BlackBerry 8800. A smartphone with advanced voice and data applications, the BlackBerry 8800 features GPS functionality, a high-contrast display with built-in light-sensing technology and integration with BlackBerry Internet Service, allowing access for up to 10 e-mail accounts, says RIM.

www.blackberry8800.com

Underwriting Automation

LANHAM, MD. * GROUP 1 SOFTWARE, a PITNEY BOWES company, introduced its Underwriting Automation solution for property/casualty insurers. The bundled software uses real-time address cleansing and geocoding technologies to provide precise address information, and Web-enabled document capabilities to allow agents on-demand access to documents, according to the company.

www.g1.com

Reinsurance Admin.

WAYNE, PA. * SUNGARD rolled out iWORKS ProCede Advantage, a ceded, assumed and retrocessional reinsurance administration solution supporting general insurance (P&C) and professional reinsurance carriers. The solution handles cede premiums and loss calculations; tracks receivables and payables with brokers and reinsurers; and helps deliver accounting, credit control and the production of management and regulatory reports for audit requirements and compliance, SunGard says.

www.sungard.com

Call Center

VAUGHAN, ONTARIO * UPSTREAM WORKS SOFTWARE released the UpStart Experience Suite for contact centers. The solution provides three methods of measuring first-call resolution rates as well as tools to increase management and agent effectiveness, the vendor says. The suite integrates UpStart, an agent operating environment, with eMedia First Call Resolution reporting and eMedia Voice Services, which directs callers to a post-call survey.

www.upstreamworks.com

Policy Administration

NAPERVILLE, ILL. * INSTEC enhanced its QuickSolver Commercial Automobile software to include full support for Massachusetts business auto, garage and truckers exposure. Using Automobile Insurers Bureau (AIB) loss costs, rules and forms, QuickSolver will now provide Massachusetts-specific coverages, forms and policy issuance, according to the company. Ongoing maintenance of AIB revisions in Massachusetts also will be provided.

www.instec-corp.com

Pandemic Modeling

NEWARK, CALIF. * RISK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS released RMS Infectious Disease Model, a probabilistic model for assessing the risk of influenza pandemics across multiple countries. Insurers can incorporate detailed analysis of their own specific portfolio, the company says, allowing the unique characteristics of their respective policyholders to influence the evaluation of pricing structures, risk scoring, underwriting guidelines and more.

www.rms.com

Revenue Management

DALLAS * BANCTEC launched RemitCycle 360, a HIPAA-compliant revenue management solution that automates and unifies the administrative and financial events among insurance providers, payers and banks. According to BancTec, the information exchange platform reduces administrative costs, shortens cycle times and minimizes write-offs by enabling providers to improve claims processing and posting efficiency.

www.banctec.com

Identity Verification

SUNRISE, FLA. * VERID launched IdentityEvent, a knowledge-based authentication service that spots suspicious identity activity and increases authentication security in real time. According to Verid, IdentityEvent can reduce insurance fraud and accelerate new-account approval of remote insurance customers by presenting real-time interactive questions to confirm an individual's identity.

www.verid.com

Payment Security

BLUE BELL, PA. * UNISYS rolled out WebSourceNDP, a scanner for checks and other payment items that reduces the risk of fraud, Unisys says. Implemented with Web services, the scanner can provide digital signatures of images before each image leaves the machine, protecting the point of capture from accusations of fraud and providing a first step in protecting financial data through the check-clearing process.