|
Aon Reinsurance
Active Server Pages with SQL Server Database
Client
Aon Re Worldwide
Objective
Develop an online application to replace the paper-based treaty acquisition process.
Aon Re Worldwide is a leading global reinsurance company employing both traditional reinsurance markets and alternative risk transfer methods.
In January of 2001, Mir was contracted by Aon Re to help with the Aon Select Accounts Program (ASAP). This web-based extranet application enables Aon clients to arrange treaty reinsurance online.
There are several benefits to this new method:
- Elimination of the immense paper trail involved with the traditional method for acquiring reinsurance
- Great reduction in time for underwriting process
- Complete database of prior treaties to use as reference for renewals and new agreements
- Ability to plot trends based on historical data
For companies who write standard lines of primary business and who require an uncomplicated treaty program, ASAP offers a great opportunity to benefit from the efficiencies and economies of a web-based pricing, placement and service system.
System Architecture and Implementation
The system was implemented as an n-tier Web application consisting of a browser-based user interface, business logic programmed in Active Server Pages (VBScript), and MS SQL Server database backbone.
The core part of the system is a series of dynamic forms that the user completes to fulfill the treaty application. This data is processed automatically right at submittal time with several JavaScript validations in place to verify accuracy. The user receives immediate feedback on the plausibility of the agreement instead of having to wait for an underwriter to do several calculations and respond. This automation also removes the process of re-keying data by the underwriters, allowing them to review submissions more quickly, decreasing the chances for human error and wasted time.
|
|
One challenge involved in this project was the presentation of data. A great deal of information needed to be displayed in a relevant and intuitive manner. We also needed to implement a consistent look and feel, which helps the user in getting accustomed to the system faster. There was also a need to ensure compatilibilty in both Netscape Communicator and MS Internet Explorer. We were able to maximize usability through the capabilities of HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, and JavaScript.
After the project was completed to a working phase, an evaluation was done to determine improvements that could be made for speed and efficiency. This involved optimizing database design and stored procedures on the sql database as well as encapsulating certain functionality within the scripting. All functions of the system were logically grouped and a page hierarchy was developed to have a clearly structured and consistent navigation. Certain functions were encapsulated as server components written in Visual Basic. After an SSL certificate was installed for data encyption, The application was then made available to Aon clients.
|
|
|
)
)