Making life easier for proxy offices is what Nationale-Nederlanden (NN) is investing in with the Proxy IT team, according to Previn Lapar (Product owner at NN). This team focuses on digitizing and professionalizing the proxy chain. As part of this team, Previn is the point of contact for the program and all chain parties.
It was a small step for NN to join the program," begins Previn Lapar. "Our products were already AFD-proof built, so we could start delivering uniform products fairly quickly. Somewhat skeptical, though, was Previn. "I saw an immense program with several players and a wide variety of product designs, combined with ambitious timelines. The key to success lay in the commitment of all the chain players to the program."
The process to deliver a unified product design (UPI) starts at NN after SIVI conducts a product analysis and sends a draft version with a request for review. SIVI compiles the UPI based on available documentation such as manuals and technical descriptions. "We then review the UPI using our testing tools and verify whether the AFD labels are mandatory or optional for premium calculation and underwriting of a risk. To complete the definition, we review UPI with the entire IT team to discuss findings and ensure consensus. We then deliver the reviewed UPI to SIVI with a request to finalize it, encrypt it and roll it out to the system house vendors for development," Previn explains. To monitor progress, Previn is in weekly contact with SIVI, where progress and any bottlenecks are discussed.
The biggest challenge Previn still sees? ''As we approach the end of this phase, the work is shifting to the system houses and proxy offices. The challenge is in the time needed to build the software and the ability of proxy offices to unify their portfolios''. The big advantage for the proxy offices is that building in products will be easier and less time will be spent linking products in ANVA with the VPI calculation and underwriting boxes. While evaluating, he sees that more and more parties are now connecting and the system houses are picking up their role well. "That is heartening and motivates me enormously, because the broader the support, the greater the success.
