Schantz Life Life Insurance System

Transcription

1 Schantz Life Life Insurance System An Overview Copenhagen, May, 2011

2 The insurance business today is characterized by rapid change and it demands response strategies that keep your company competitive and on top of its game year after year. Choosing the industry-renowned Schantz Life Insurance System brings your company today s most advanced and comprehensive full-featured Life and Pension System a powerhouse core solution packed with innovative design flexibility and unique capabilities, including optional add-on modules to provide individually-tailored solutions for your specific needs. You want your business to be solid, but responsive to new realities. For this you need to work with a company that understands and specializes in the insurance and pension business, a company with a proven track record and strong reputation for caring, successful implementations of its Schantz Life Insurance Systems. No two insurance companies are alike, yet too many systems on the market are inflexible not open to future development because of their basic standard design structure. Flexibility in systems needs to start from the bottom, from within the system core in order to stay current and be augmented smoothly. With Schantz Life you will always be able to expand your business opportunities, not limit them to traditional insurance products or those that were new when you installed your system. Schantz Life designed for growing your business. For more information about Schantz Life, Schantz A/S and related products, please contact: CEO Jesper Essendrop, je@schantz.com, Deputy CEO Jesper Lauritsen, jesperl@schantz.com, Solution Manager Kathrine Normann Olsen, kathrine@schantz.com, Solution Manager Lars Jacobsen, lars@schantz.com,

3 Table of contents 1 Preface 4 2 Life Kernel Overall structure The Product Framework Events Health Information and underwriting Calculation methods Bookkeeping Case handler client 8 3 Functionalities Documents / output Workflow Regression test 9 4 Modules 10 5 Implementation Documentation Project method Release strategy 11 3

4 1 Preface Schantz Life is a complete and full-featured life insurance system created to handle both small and large insurance portfolios. Its design encompasses a unique layer structure and a strong product framework that allow unlimited flexibility and possibilities for tailoring to a company s specific needs. Schantz Life is highly configurable and supports access to a wide range of parameters. The structure is designed to support inheritance principles, so parameters will automatically be changed throughout the system. All transactions are composed of events, and this approach provides users with full control over accounts through undo and redo options and full traceability of account history. Unmatched Calculation Capability Schantz Life instantly performs speedy and high precision calculations, tracking all income changes, expenses and the consequences these place on the account. Its powerful calculation engine can handle policies and deposits as well as policies being paid out, multiple layers, individual taxation and various kinds of reserve accounts. Modules to Individualize Your System Different companies have differing needs and requirements. Although the core of Schantz Life s functionality is contained within the Life Kernel, a series of add-on modules is available to ensure complete solutions for large and small companies alike. There are modules for handling various situations in relation to receiving and paying money, reporting, legal parties, commission and investments. An insurance company can choose to use any number of modules, only selecting those required relative to existing functionality and business needs. Functionalities to Support your Business Schantz Life comes with a range of highly efficient basic functionalities such as Health information and Underwriting, Bookkeeping, Workflow Engine and a built-in Regression Test. The Case Handler Client provides flexible interface and GUI options, including implementation of insurance Internet portals to enable both customers and partners to do business through a web-browser. Why You Need Schantz Life? Schantz Life is a state-of-the art and full-featured Life and Pension System that reliably and smoothly handles all your current business processes. It is the market s most flexible system and is intentionally designed for easy integration and interaction with an insurance company s existing systems. It creates an ideal platform for future innovation and the development of new products for emerging markets. Schantz A/S works within the context of well defined Project Methods and Release Strategies and, through them, Schantz has gained its unmatched reputation throughout the market for delivering smooth and problem-free implementations to its customers. HIGH-LIGHTS Schantz Life: For small and large insurance businesses Highly robust calculation engine Easy to integrate with other company systems Market s most flexible solution through a unique system structure Add on modules to complete your solution Can grow with your business and your market 4

5 2 Life Kernel The Life Kernel is the dynamic heart of the Schantz Life System structure. Its unique design enables unmatched flexibility, easy case handling and customization for specific needs in a firmly controlled structure. An insurance company can enter all its business rules and procedures into the Life Kernel, thereby employing this powerful validation engine for handling all insurance policy changes. 2.1 Overall structure The Life Kernel is composed of 3 layers that contain the system s functionalities. These are the General Layer, the Country-specific Layer and the Company Layer. The system s foundation is the General Layer which contains products, policies and the accounting system, and in which the majority of activities take place. Lying above this is the Country Layer that incorporates tax rules, regulations and legislative issues. The final top layer is the Company Layer where your individual company s specific features are implemented. HIGH-LIGHTS The Life Kernel is the heart of Schantz Life. It features: 3 functionality layers for optimal efficiency and development A strong Product Framework for high flexibility Event driven approach with undo/redo capability Built-in health information and underwriting Wide range of robust calculation methods Advanced bookkeeping Configurable case handler client The 3 layers in the Life Kernel are illustrated below. The gray outline illustrates how a Danish insurance company would typically exploit the layer structure to implement their particular solution. Company 1 Company 2 Company 3 Company 4 Specific justifications to a specific insurance company, e.g., product calculations, special events etc. Specific country elements, e.g., product rules, calculation basis, tax rules, tax reporting etc. Danish elements Norwegian elements X-Country General Layer The general agreement structure, accounting, calculations of the basic elements, methods for periodic events, definition of events, principles for inheritance etc. Implementation in a specific Danish company Figure 1, Layers in the Life Kernel 5

6 2.2 The Product Framework The Product Framework is the most elementary component in Schantz Life. It enables a large degree of flexibility, allowing insurance companies to create new covers as they go along. In its simplest form the Product Framework has four parts, as shown below in Figure 2: Life Policy Product Version Contribution frame Valid from Valid to Etc. Life Cover Product Version Cover type Default cover Minimum cover Maximum cover Charge, cost Etc. Product Frame Actual policies Life Policy Version Policy number Contribution Etc. Life Cover Version Chosen cover Actual premium Reserve account Etc. Figure 2, The Product Framework, simple The Life Policy and its matching Life Covers are at the lower level. A Life Policy refers to a Life Policy Product which could be a company agreement or a general product open to all customers. A Life Cover refers to a Life Cover Product describing and setting the boundaries for the cover and specifying the type of product. The Product Framework s unbounded flexibility allows it to be configured according to each company s specific business plans. It can be used for highly efficient implementations of for example: Company Schemes company agreements with global rules, policies for various employee groups, and cross-company influences. White Label elements products produced by one insurance company but sold by other companies such as insurance companies, banks, brokers, etc. Pension Funds where members are often attached to several bonus rule sets. New rule sets can be defined within the same policy for unmatched user-friendly case handling. These are only a few examples. Many other product implementations are made possible by the Product Framework s unique data structure. Additional strength is provided through: Inheritance capabilities to ensure maximum data consistency. Versions - with full change-histories that can be traced for controlling policy revisions. 6

7 2.3 Events Schantz Life is a dynamic system designed to accurately and reliably handle the many alterations, updates and activities a modern insurance system will need to perform. Events serve as the vehicles of change, and as entities that enable complete case and account control with undo and redo capabilities. The entire Schantz Life solution for handling policies is constructed around Events. Events can be periodic or scheduled and handle data entries, dates, payments, policy changes, premiums, etc. The General Layer contains all the events required for handling a portfolio. An event usually consists of a series of transactions in a specific sequence. Events can be triggered manually, automatically or through the internet. An insurance company can join a series of events into a single meta-event - implemented in the Company Layer. Events are designed for efficient and highly robust redo and undo operations. This ensures flexible, easy and reliable case-handling. Events can be used when providing Quotes, so companies can create accurate shadow policies and enforce them or remove them at a later time or automatically on a specific date. 2.4 Health Information and underwriting Underwriting and requests for health information are crucial functions in any modern insurance system. Schantz Life supports these through automatic and user-friendly features. The business rules regarding health factors are set up within an insurance product, including rules that determine at what time a requisition for health information must be sent to a customer. 2.5 Calculation methods Schantz Life s powerful calculation engine instantly performs speedy and high precision calculations on even large sums, tracking all movements of income, expenses, and the consequences these place on the account. The Life Kernel in Schantz Life uses a series of basic principles within calculation, and country-specific calculations for the most common covers are defined in the Country Layer. The central Schantz Life calculation features are: Reserve Accounts for splitting policies and creating additional versions based on different calculation backgrounds. Periodic Events carry out full calculations on the policy. Primo Periodic Events handle regulations, billing and costs, and Ultimo Periodic Events handle yield, risk premiums and payment-out. Risk Calculation through various methods such as Natural Premium, Average Premium and External Source, i.e., the premium rates are imported from another system. Bonus Calculation based on the difference between the actual reserve and the expected reserve. Claims efficient workflows for calculation of claims triggered by death, disability or retirement while preserving the policy in a state that enables its continuance for the insured or surviving relatives. Costs deduction of costs on covers with definition of different cost types such as administration, investment, commission, etc. 7

8 Market Value automated calculation of the current market value, based on parameters defined by the specific insurance company for utilization in reports, analyses and business strategies. 2.6 Bookkeeping Modern insurance companies maintain many accounts and postings in order to run the insurance portfolio with the necessary details wanted by the company and required by law. Schantz Life provides a clear audit trail on all transactions. All the necessary documentation around each transaction is stored within the transaction and it is never deleted. The overall system design of bookkeeping is illustrated in Figure 3 below. The interface between Schantz Life and the general ledger system is defined in the implementation. Annual Statement General Ledger The bookkeeping system Interface Schantz Life Postings on reserve accounts Figure 3, Bookkeeping 2.7 Case handler client The Schantz Life client interface can be constructed to match specific company needs and provide its users with easy, fast and straightforward processing while working with polices and agreements. Schantz Life comes with a default client interface in English. The open architecture enables companies to additionally implement the client in other languages, enhance the default client, design their own GUI, or build web portals to partners and customers. Schantz Life s client and screens are designed to enable intuitive case handling matched to the individual company s workflows. Figure 4, Case Handler Client 8

9 3 Functionalities 3.1 Documents / output Schantz Life supports all standard document-output needs and is effortlessly integrated with your existing document-output system. Document functionality is run in the Life Kernel and provides a wide range of document and output options for optimally assisting an insurance company s workflow. Creation of PDF files, s, and hard copy are all standard features, and Schantz Life document functionality is very easy to integrate with any output system already implemented in the insurance company. Dynamic output is created with: HIGH-LIGHTS 1. Templates that define the type of output such an annual statement, a reminder, a payment-out letter, etc. 2. Arguments that define the types of data used in the template such as name, policy ID, yearly premium, etc. 3. Channels that define how output should be presented such as a physical letter, special paper, , etc. Users can define rules to determine which events will create specific output. Output created in the system is registered in the internal or the external document archive and is made easily accessible for the Case Handler Client. 3.2 Workflow Case handling has never been easier. Schantz Life s workflow engine is a highly flexible tool that ensures data consistency and enhances user efficiency. Schantz Life supports real business needs with: Advanced output: PDF files, s, hardcopy Dynamic output with templates and rule/event control Easy integration with existing output systems Workflow engine: Event administration and activation control Case handling tools including to do notes and log viewing Regression Test: Ensures calculation stability Flexible test configuration The Life Kernel contains an internal workflow engine which handles the basic changes as they occur in the event-driven system. The workflow engine determines how events are executed and administrates events that are activated in the future. An open interface enables integration with an enterprise workflow system. The Case handlers can attach notes to workflows and determine automatic or manual activation. 3.3 Regression test Insurance and pension systems must typically administrate large amounts of data on which complex calculations are performed many times a day. Schantz Life has built-in quality control and assessment tools for self-analysis, so you can be assured that your system is running smoothly and without calculation errors. The Life Kernel s regression test facility can be configured and modified to match each insurance company s requirements with parameters such as execution frequency (periodic or event driven) and the test s scope in relation to the company s portfolio. 9

10 4 Modules Schantz has designed a series of add-on modules around the Life Kernel to ensure complete solutions covering every business need. Each module can be enhanced and fine-tuned to fit the specific insurance company solution. The following modules are available: Receivables: For receiving payments from various external sources. The module validates the information and sends the data to the Life Kernel in a uniform format. Payables: For handling payments of annuities, transfers and lump sums. The module performs calculations accounting for tax regulations in the specific country, applies the correct format for sending money, e.g., bank account or cheque, and makes the settlement with relevant authorities. Tax Reporting: For creating reports from the Life Kernel and the payables module that are required by the tax authorities in the specific country. Actuarial Database: For systematically containing and exploiting all relevant data from the production system. Typically used for creating monthly/ annual reports, market value calculations, risk calculations, and any portfolio analyses that may be required by the insurance company. Legal Party: For holding data about the different legal parties in the system. The module contains detailed data on customers, i.e., persons and companies that are handled in Schantz Life, and also information about relevant authorities, doctors, brokers, etc. Access and Roles: To ensure that each user is assigned a role, granting him/her the permissions required for their specific tasks in the Life Kernel. Users must be defined by roles in order to use Schantz Life and these can be applied through this optional module or alternatively, by a company s own personneladministration system. Commission: To handle calculation of commissions. The module works closely with the Life Kernel so calculations account for undo/redo activities and occurring commission claw-backs. Schantz Unit Link: To provide insurance customers with Unit Linked policy activities. Schantz Unit Link can be used with both Schantz Life and with other traditional insurance systems. It contains a customer portal for trading activities and an administration portal for enabling the company staff to manage funds, rates, trade calendar, etc. Market Interface: Acts as a bridge between a traditional policy system and the Schantz Unit Link module. The traditional policy system can be a Schantz Life implementation or another insurance implementation in a company that wishes to integrate the Schantz Unit Link module in their current non-schantz Life system. Advisory Solution: A tool for enhancing Insurance and Pension Advisory Services. The module contains features for assisting your advisors in their task of giving clear and concise consultation regarding the customer s immediate and future needs. It contains functionalities for projection calculations and an Advice Kernel to store and provide relevant information during advisory activities. HIGH-LIGHTS Schantz Life s optional modules will enable your insurance company to Add specific business functionalities that complete its solution Match its system to actual business needs Avoid paying for superfluous components and functionalities 10

11 5 Implementation 5.1 Documentation Your Schantz Life implementation is supported by functional documentation that covers and supports all aspects of the system for users and for continuous system development and integration. The following documentation types are provided. Architectural documentation Describes the data model. Support for intergration with other systems. Technical documentation Provides an overview of the Life Kernel and its integation points. Code documentation Provides basic system properties. Based on extracted code comments. User documentation Guides for call-centers, online-help systems, user manuals for case handlers, etc. 5.2 Project method HIGH-LIGHTS Schantz A/S implementations are a secure investment because: Schantz provides extensive documentation for users and developers Schantz works with the most modern tools and methods for system development and project management Continued support and release strategies ensure businesscompatible solutions now and in the future Through its unwavering project method philosophy, Schantz A/S has gained an unmatched reputation throughout the market for delivering smooth and problem-free implementations to its customers. Schantz A/S applies an iterative approach to all its projects with many deployments during each iteration. An iteration involves a number of development passes allowing users and testers to work with the system right away. This unique method ensures rapid stabilisation of new components and enables employee training to start early in the project. Complex areas, known to the insurance company, are given special attention early in the project to ensure smooth learning and development curves. Many projects will involve conversion from an existing system. Schantz A/S employs highly effective, secure and proven methods for smooth conversion of policies and data from any system to Schantz Life. 5.3 Release strategy Schantz release strategy leaves nothing to chance and ensures comprehensive and robust solutions that can grow with market changes and your future business schemes. New releases are available every 12 to 18 months, plus smaller intermediate releases due to financial law or tax changes. Hot fixes can be introduced into the release cycle if needed. Schantz consultants participate in upgrade projects and are available for stand-by support for an agreed period after an upgrade takes place. Schantz release strategy is divided into 5 phases: Idea and Prioritization, Design & Planning, Development, Test & Documentation, Deployment. Schantz supports current and directly previous Schantz Life versions or for three years after a version s release date, regardless of the number of versions released during that time. 11