Between the business-related realities of the post-Katrina world and the challenges associated with a slowing economy, insurance companies are under tremendous pressure to decrease costs, increase efficiency, and improve their competitive position. Claims operations in particular are under pressure, not only because they're responsible for an insurer's biggest expense category, but also because they have the added responsibility of being the company's public face. As a result, claims managers understand all too well that the view from the executive suite can be summed up with the phrase, "As goes claims, so goes the company." 

Many technological products are now available to help claims operations meet the challenges they face. One development worthy of note is that of the next-generation of mapping or "location intelligence" software. It may be advantageous for claims operations to become familiar with this next generation of software—not only for specific features but also because it represents a new model for delivering technology-enabled business solutions. 

The newest location intelligence solutions are based upon what is referred to in the tech world as "cloud computing" and " software as a service." Instead of a piece of software running on your local computer, the system runs at the vendor's data center, but is accessible through any Web browser.