FirstBest Systems, a developer of underwriting management systems, has announced the formation of an Underwriting Knowledge Center. Led by insurance industry experts with insurance expertise, the new group will offer customers industry knowledge and best practices to enhance the core business process of underwriting.

FirstBest Systems is a new software company formed to address the need in the commercial insurance industry for a Web-based solution designed to tackle underwriting challenges. With the formation of the Underwriting Knowledge Center, FirstBest now provides a business solution combining software and industry best practices to help carriers achieve profitable growth and greater customer intimacy with agents.

The FirstBest Underwriting Knowledge Center will be led by Robert R. Lukas, vice president, underwriting sciences. With more than 30 years of insurance industry and IT experience, Lukas is an expert on establishing effective IT governance models for property/casualty enterprises and exploiting technology to create revenue-generating opportunities. Lukas is the former CIO of The Hartford's property/casualty company. He founded and directed the Hartford Technology Services Company, a Hartford subsidiary that delivers technology services to the Hartford and other corporations. He also served as president of CLA Corp., a Hartford subsidiary that marketed insurance software and technology services to other insurance carriers.