The ACORD Solution Provider Directory: Why do we do it each year?

For companies, we want to provide a tool to help you find solutions—solutions that use ACORD Standards. We see this as one-stop shopping for a wide range of solutions from time-tested systems to the latest cutting edge applications.

For our solution provider members, we want to provide you with an opportunity to reach out to the industry and show off what you have to offer. There is so much available today from such a wide range of companies. This directory is your showcase.

For ACORD, it's our opportunity to help connect the pieces. We've got a global marketplace of ideas, tools, systems, and services available today. By working with Tech Decisions and National Underwriter on this directory, we're bringing the world to you.

Each year, the array of solutions presented can be overwhelming. How do you choose? What do you do first?

The most important thing is to connect and talk to these skilled vendors. You have your own needs and your company has its own technological requirements. Talk to the vendors and tell them your needs, thoughts, ideas, even dream solutions. The better they know you, the more efficiently they work with you to solve your problems. But it all starts with conversation.

We've come a long way in a short time from paper and pen to tablet and 4G. And who knows what is coming next? But you can be sure the solution providers are already thinking about that and tapping into the current and future technologies to serve you.

I can also see that times have changed in how we all work together. It's no longer just a buyer/seller world. Vendors don't just want to drop off some software and leave. They want to build relationships with their customers. Solutions are more complex and vendors are working with customers today as partners. They're discussing, talking, communicating, and then solving issues in service of their customers. Then, they can look forward to other possibilities together.

I hope this directory provides guidance and inspiration for vendors looking to innovate in the way they deliver value, as well as for buyers in search of robust solutions for their businesses.

Gregory A. Maciag is president and CEO of ACORD. With more than 40 years of industry experience, more than 30 at ACORD, Greg has developed a broad knowledge and understanding of the role technology plays in the global insurance marketplace today. He joined ACORD in 1977 and served in various roles including vice president of automation, corporate secretary and treasurer and executive vice president prior to being appointed president in 1994. Greg led the expansion of ACORD to serve the life and annuity segment of our business followed by the merger with WISe in London and Brussels that added global participants focusing on large commercial lines and reinsurance, including the London market. During his tenure, membership and participation increased dramatically. He was a technology columnist for many years and the author of The Business Information Revolution (2005) and The Real-Time World (2009). He is the principal advocate of industry standards, the host of many videos and publishes a personal blog linked to the ACORD Web site.  Prior to joining ACORD, he held operations and systems positions with Chubb and the National Council on Compensation Insurance, where he began his insurance career after graduating from Upsala College.