Systems Expert Stresses IT Must Serve Its Business

By Robert Regis Heyl

NU Online News Service, Feb. 28, 2:49 p.m.EST?"When you look at new technology, what good is it ifit doesn't benefit the business?" asked David Rumpke, a systemsengineer for Nationwide Insurance, speaking at a seminar held lastweek in Greater Cincinnati.

Mr. Rumpke told attendees of the Panasonic Insurance TechnologySeminar, "Technology is never the question. The business is thequestion. Technology can only be the answer."

Mr. Rumpke was one of five speakers addressing claims and ITprofessionals seeking more information on the use of wireless andmobile technology within the insurance industry. The seminar washeld at the home office of The National Underwriter Co. inErlanger, Ky.

Mr. Rumpke told his audience that Insurance IT people can easilybecome enamored with the latest wireless technology, but theinfatuation may be short lived if business doesn't share it.

Mr. Rumpke said communication is key to establishing asuccessful business-IT relationship. He explained that technologydepartments must listen to the business people to determine how asolution will be used.

"We have to develop technology requirements from their businessrequirements," he asserted. The good news is, he added, "businesspartners are becoming more receptive to the technology."

During a question-and-answer session, Walter Harrison, whooperates his own independent insurance agency in Dayton, Ohio, saidhardware and software advances are wonderful, but he would like tosee the industry work together on establishing standards.

"There's a lack of unification of languages among insurers," hesaid. "It's getting hard [for independent agents] if they representmore than one company," Mr. Harrison said.

Mr. Rumpke responded this was one reason Nationwide supportsACORD, but Harrison countered that even ACORD forms don't flow wellon laptops.

Another insurer pointed out that some companies are concernedwith surrendering a competitive advantage if they go to completeuniformity of standards.

Besides Mr. Rumke, other speakers at the session included MarkLund, business development manager for Panasonic; Phil Schreiner,editor of Claims magazine; Rob Mendel, director of salesfor Sierra Wireless; Joe Marcum, field service manager for FarmBureau Insurance of Indiana; and Bruce Hillman, editorial directorof risk and insurance markets for The National Underwriter Co.

Mr. Heyl is an associate editor with TechDecisions,published by The National Underwriter Company