Cloud computing and ‘appification’ speed up software innovation

Grazed from Business Insurance.  Author: Bill Kenealy.

Technology trends such as cloud computing and “appification” are changing the frequency and speed of developing software and, in turn, the way technology providers deliver those features to insurers and risk managers.  Kathy Burns, Chicago-based CEO of Aon eSolutions, which provides cloud-based and on-premises software to risk managers, said her firm’s embrace of the cloud has accelerated the process of innovation. Instead of needing to push updates to separate clients that may be running separate versions of the on-premises software, cloud-based applications allow automatic changes, Ms. Burns said.

“We provide cloud-based solutions to risk managers and it enables us to do more for them more quickly,” she said. “If we create a great report or piece of analytics or a new module for a client, I can then make it accessible to our broader client base.”…

Brian Vannoni, San Francisco-based director of product marketing for Guidewire Software Inc., said the firm wanted a hybrid model blending the best attributes of on-premise and cloud-based software. In October, it launched Guidewire Live, a series of hosted applications intended to augment the functionality of the Foster City, Calif.-based company’s underwriting, policy administration, billing and claims systems…

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