Polaris, the insurer and broker-owned software house, has revealed that IBM has won the contract to be the service provider for its new internet portal.
The portal, to be named Polaris E-Market, will allow brokers to exchange essential information, via the internet, with six major insurers: Allianz Cornhill, AXA, Groupama, Norwich Union, Royal & SunAlliance and Zurich Financial Services.
IBM beat off a combined Microsoft-Accenture bid as well as one by Logica.
Polaris managing director Martin McLachlan said: "They won it on the basis of their extensive experience in implementing the functionality required in a range of industries."
McLachlan said broker-access to E-Market would be free and that it could run alongside, and complement, existing broker systems.
E-Market will provide access to insurer products, including improved commercial lines quotations, a self-service facility and a virtual insurance mall.
He added that the portal was an industry initiative and that participation discussions were ongoing with several insurers, other than the six major investors.
He said a number of software houses were also investigating the possibility of building the portal into their own systems.
"We do not see this challenging the full cycle EDI motor model. We see that as being perfectly sensible, well-founded, well-used proven technology."
