WebDAV-or Web distribution, authoring, and versioning-takes theWeb past its most common role as a source for reading information(read-only), and allows for writing and updating. And it providesaccess to these new features via HTTP.

Gary Gershon, a Chubb consultant who is knee-deep in thecompany's selection and implementation of Xythos's Web File Server3.0 solution, said Chubb looked at its internal processes andrecognized the need to streamline everything not only to savemoney, but make information easily sharable across the board.

Gershon attributes Chubb's selection to Web File Server'senterprise scalability, its presentation as a vendor product, and aless intimidating license-by-server fee schedule. He said otherWebDAV-compliant solutions were either too open in the architecturefor Chubb's needs, too ambiguous about scalability, or were justnot suited to Chubb's business type. (Some popular WebDAV solutionsare designed specifically for the publishing industry.) The companylaunched a study and evaluation to find the right fit, and by theend of 2000 it had decided on Xythos. Implementation began thisspring.

Jim Till, Xythos's marketing vice president, said that Web FileServer tags each file with a short description of the informationcontained in that file. That means a claims adjuster can searchthrough those data descriptions and then use a specific claimnumber to sort through results to find the right file, alleviatingthe need to open and visually search files that are sometimesseveral megabytes in size.

According to Till, XML-based metadata are quickly supplantingprivate network scenarios that used standards-based protocols.Using WebDAV, Xythos's solution provides Chubb a standards-baseddescription to files across a network. “Chubb is dealing with seventerabytes of data just for claims files,” Till said. “It's muchmore efficient to search through metadata descriptions of whatthose files contain, rather than execute a lengthy search throughthe actual files.”

Chubb wanted to be able to share information across departments,and make file access possible through any Internet-enabled system.Gershon said Web File Server stores information in a generic way soit can be used in different applications; each Chubb department hasits own way of dealing with data.

Because Web File Server takes a modular standards approach-add'em as you need 'em-there is some guaranteed flexibility for futuredevelopment. Gershon said many solutions from prominent andreputable sources did not employ a modular approach, and moreimportantly in the short term, did not support SQL databases. Chubbwanted something a bit short of a completely open architecture.

Until WebDAV, and even now, LAN-based protocols are thepredominate means of file sharing. But the problems reside in lackof both security and trans-network extendibility. Till said usingXML for connectivity and HTTP for transfer allows Chubb to keeplegacy systems running smoothly in IT, and stay linked with clientsystems that need regular access to internal files. And users havepermission to access only the files they need.

Chubb is still implementing Web File Server. Gershon said thesolution is being deployed to departments in parallel-the first totaste the solution's ambrosia were Chubb's underwriting group andinternational insurance group, with thousands and hundreds ofusers, respectively. And the implementation is transparent,according to Gershon. He said the new code replaces existing“home-grown” programming, and no one can tell initially thatthey're working by way of WebDAV. The company's programming groupis quickly learning to work with WebDAV, and Chubb is bringing in aWebDAV expert.

THE COMPANY: CHUBB
NET WRITTEN PREMIUM: $6.3 BILLION
WEB SITE: www.chubb.com

THE PRODUCT: Web File Server 3.0 by XythosSoftware
WEB SITE: www.xythos.com