Identify the Requirements and Solutions for the Replacement of
the Entire IT Platform


Project Background

The client’s Group headquarters had decided to stop developing its common, central software used by all European business units for the previous two years. Each business unit therefore assumed responsibility for its own information system. The Swiss entity initiated a study to find a new IT architecture solution that would support its sales-oriented strategy. Orbium was chosen to realise the study thanks to its competence in software implementation and related challenges.


The Client

The Group is a worldwide leader in travel insurance and customer services, providing its corporate clients with tailor-made solutions and their customers with seamless, real-time assistance. The business unit in Switzerland is a fast-growing company which is very innovative and frequently brings new niche insurance products on to the market.


Challenges

The main challenge of the project was the tight timeline – especially as any potential solution had to fit the company’s overall strategy, its existing business peculiarities (particularly the numerous heterogeneous and specific insurance products), and the growth objectives of the business unit. Another challenge was to undertake a quick analysis of the existing situation and to identify potential threats resulting from the previous architecture.


Scope of Project and Orbium’s Role

The aim was to realise a complete study, beginning with an initial analysis of both the exiting information system and the business functionalities needed to cover the company’s sales-oriented strategy. The final report had to be presented by Orbium to the board of directors. Orbium had full responsibility for the project and delivered the following:

  • Analysis of the existing architecture
  • Description of application landscape and interfaces with third party systems
  • Inventory of business peculiarities and threats to be taken into account
  • Project Plan
  • Detailed SWOT analysis and description of all short-listed candidates
  • The final report, presented to the board of directors.


Results

Through the study, our team identified 14 potential candidates. Eight of these were short-listed and responded to a Request for Information (RFI). By working closely with the CIO of the company, we were able to clearly identify the company’s needs and define the target architecture needed to solve the various challenges. The vision of the target architecture evolved during the development of the project, as new challenges and opportunities were incorporated by solution providers. Once we had delivered the final report, the board of directors took the appropriate decision.