Financial services application software provider Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), is implementing a new common architectural strategy for its insurance and banking applications.
The product offerings will be enhanced for use in an e-enabled, service-oriented architecture, allowing rapid adoption of emerging technologies, says Derek Brown, director of CSC`s business process outsourcing and financial services solutions in SA.
The new architecture is said to allow banking and insurance clients to leverage their investments in CSC`s enterprise applications, including those assumed through CSC`s acquisition of Mynd Corporation.
"Our clients tell us our administrative engines continue to serve as the foundation for their business operations, but the way they want to access the data and functionality is changing," says Brown.
"In an environment of industry consolidation and convergence, financial services firms need to unify many heterogeneous systems. Companies are still very dependent on highly complex processing contained in mission-critical applications of varying ages, origins and technical characteristics.
"By transitioning to an integrated, service-oriented architecture, many of those differences become irrelevant. Our customers will have the freedom to determine when and how they leverage the business value of their CSC applications."
CSC`s clients in Southern Africa include Old Mutual, CGU, SA Eagle, Alacrity Financial Services, Fedgen, St Paul, FGI, RMI, Nedcor, Hollard, Momentum, Eagle Zimbabwe and Eagle Botswana.
Brown says the business functions of CSC`s financial services software will be redefined using ACORD-based XML data structures.
They will employ open standards, HTTP-based protocols, and Enterprise Application Integration (eAI) middleware to manage the communication between all major parties involved in financial services transactions, both inside and outside the enterprise.
As a result, companies will be able to achieve enterprise-wide business process management, he adds. Consumers, distributors and other users will have access to key business functions across all channels and devices.
CSC says its software applications are well positioned to operate in a decentralised, distributed environment using ACORD XML interfaces. The company`s Web-based insurance platforms, ViLink and iSolutions, have been recognised for early adoption of ACORD`s XML standards. In addition, much of the core functionality of CSC`s line of business applications is already accessible through open Java- and COM-based interfaces.
CSC`s common architectural model will be extended across its product portfolio.
"Our common architectural blueprint will unify mission-critical systems across the financial services industry," comments Brown. "At a time when both banks and insurance companies face pressure to respond to rapidly changing technologies and consumer demands, our applications will allow companies to rapidly roll-out new business functions by reusing existing, proven and reliable components."
The processes, tools and techniques CSC employs in its own product development are also available to adapt non-CSC systems for the new service-oriented architecture. CSC`s eAI consulting practice helps clients craft business-specific, end-to-end solutions.
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