Aviva USA, part of Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, announced today it has been named for the second consecutive year to the InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the US companies who have demonstrated the most innovative use of information technology. The list is unique among corporate rankings because it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.
- Recognized for innovation and development of leading edge information technology
Aviva USA, part of Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, announced today it has been named for the second consecutive year to the InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the US companies who have demonstrated the most innovative use of information technology. The list is unique among corporate rankings because it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.
"The InformationWeek 500 honors today's leading companies who set the benchmark for business technology strategies and projects," said John Seifert, vice president and publisher of InformationWeek. "The companies on our list are some of the most innovative users of technology."
"We are very proud to be included for the second year in a row on the InformationWeek 500 list and to be acknowledged for our commitment to innovation in the area of information technology," said Mike Boltz, chief information officer of Aviva USA.
Much of Aviva USA's recent innovation can be attributed to its "IT Garage", a technology group within the company that was created two years ago to leverage the company's tradition of developing leading edge technology, products and services. The group is devoted to exploring ways to use the latest technologies to benefit the company and its agents and customers.
"The IT Garage concept exemplifies our commitment to innovation," said Mr Boltz. "As an organization we are always focused on ways to better serve our agents and customers, and one of the primary ways we have been able to do that is through the development and implementation of leading edge information technology."
Aviva USA is a leader in the life insurance industry in the development of technologies that make the online experience easier and more efficient for customers and agents, such as straight-through processing (STP) and service oriented architecture. The company also utilizes innovative integrated electronic policy illustration and policy application software, which allows agents to seamlessly view and submit policy applications online.
Aviva USA has also developed and implemented several other leading edge technologies that allow the company to manage its life insurance and annuities businesses more efficiently, including a real time data visualization technology for business intelligence and sales monitoring, and an options trade order management platform that streamlines the asset management process related to the company's indexed products.
"Information technology innovation in our business is always about finding new and exciting ways to provide world class service to customers and agents, and Aviva will continue to strive to be the best in the industry in that regard," said Mr Boltz.
-ends-
Contacts:
Aviva USA
Steven Goldberg (steven.goldberg@finsbury.com)
Stephanie Linehan (stephanie.linehan@finsbury.com)
Finsbury Group
Telephone: 212 303 7600
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva plc is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums as of 31 December 2006. Aviva's principal global business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
In 2006, Aviva grew its existing US presence by acquiring AmerUs group (now known as Aviva USA), a national leader in indexed annuities and indexed life insurance. Nationally, Aviva USA is ranked number one in sales of indexed life insurance and number two in sales of indexed annuities.
Aviva USA had $38.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2006. Aviva's US employees are committed to helping customers meet their long-term savings, insurance and retirement income needs. www.avivausa.com.
About Information Week
InformationWeek is the leading multimedia Business Technology brand - online sites, magazine, events and research - providing CIOs and IT decision makers with unique perspective and tools that work in lock step with their decision making process - from the setting of business strategies to the evaluation and recommendation of technology solutions. Through its cross-media platform, InformationWeek provides editorial content developed by both journalists and CIO and IT peers delivered when and how they want it, 24/7. For Technology Marketers, InformationWeek offers a dynamic portfolio of products to engage and align with the largest, most influential buying audience in the market. This means marketing solutions that target broad audiences (reach), as well as media programs organized by content themes and specific audience segments (composition). The InformationWeek audience of 3 million buyers, includes CIOs, IT executives and business managers who cut across industries, job titles, company sizes and global borders. www.InformationWeek.com.