SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 7
Download to read offline
A Message from Leadership
As I reflect on 2014, it’s clear that we’ve embraced the ‘digital mindset’, and our journey to date has
shown significant results. We have built out key capabilities we need to compete. We have delivered
on initiatives to drive improved efficiency. And we are building a strong technology foundation to
capitalize on opportunities to redefine the customer experience. In short, we are meeting business
imperatives with an unerring focus on our digital ecosystems: people, processes and technology.
PEOPLE
The 2014 Employee Engagement Survey reflects
a high level of workforce engagement in four key
areas: (1) The person I report to makes him or her-
self available (94%), (2) My manager cares about
me (92%), (3) I like the work I do (91%), and (4)
The people I work with cooperate to get the job
done (90%). However, there is more to be done.
Efforts are already underway to improve in the fol-
lowing areas: (1) providing a promising future for
our people, (2) employee recognition, (3) securing
the opinions of employees, and (4) optimizing job
conditions for productivity. As we kick off the
year, we are implementing new tools to enable
improved productivity and collaboration, includ-
ing Office 365, Outlook, Lync, One Note, and One
Drive. We are also finalizing planning efforts for
a new reward and recognition tool. Lastly, we’ll
be leveraging newly renovated ‘Collaboration &
Video Conference Rooms’ in Atlanta and Miami to
further improve our ‘virtual’ work worlds.
PROCESS
With our emphasis on ‘maturing the disciplines’,
we are improving in our quest to deliver proj-
ects on time and on budget. We are leverag-
ing Value Realization tools and processes on
major projects like Hosting the IVR, Website
Content Management, and Global Warranty, and
will expand use of this framework where it makes
sense - to help realize the value of savings initia-
tives, and reinvest in our growth lines of business.
We have implemented better process controls
and improvements in our development, quality
assurance, and testing practices, and are seeing
results in terms of reduced defects in production
releases. We have seen improvements in the PMO
Effectiveness Survey results, and with the ITS
News, we’ve made tremendous improvements in
communicating what’s happening, and connecting
our strategy to what you do each day.
TECHNOLOGY
Last year, we were challenged with implementing
new technologies, integrating them into exist-
ing infrastructures, and developing the skills
to use them effectively. We introduced Global
Warranty University to enable our teams to
refresh, enhance, and update their skillsets as
new technologies emerge.
We’ve also been engaged with the AIZ Enterprise
Architecture Group, vetting new technologies and
ensuring that the great work performed through
the Assurant Technology Optimization program
continues to keep employees informed about
what we have in our portfolio. The EAG has been
instrumental in raising awareness of new initia-
tives across the enterprise, so we can share in
and maximize our return on these investments. In
2015, we will be collaborating with our European
team to build an operating model of global effi-
ciency – one that balances independence and
scale, and optimizes speed of execution, value
realization, and the security of customer data.
P4 SPOTLIGHT ON
NEW SYSTEMS
DIRECTOR HEIDI
WATERS
P6-7 P8
ITS News
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION
TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
P2-3
JAN 2015
JAN 2015
>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.
Karen Porter-Wolf
SVP & CIO Assurant Solutions
It’s a brand new year! We have
accomplished a great deal and are
on the right track. We have clear
and decisive plans to continue
delivering results as we aggres-
sively build new capabilities,
reinforce existing value drivers,
invest in our associates, and help
position our organization for sus-
tainable long-term growth.
GLOBAL WARRANTY
UPDATE; GW-VPS
KNOWLEDGE
NETWORK
DATA MATTERS:
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
THE DATA ANALYTICS
SUMMIT
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:
“ISERIES UPGRADE -
EFFICIENCY IN ACTION”
Thing Globally, Act Locally
Global Warranty: Claims Update
Globalization represents an opportunity for us to refocus our capabilities and execute an innovative
implementation strategy that will allow us to become the architect and builder of a people, process, and
technology framework that enables business growth.
Vice President of IT Effectiveness Maria Cabral
is providing program updates to the Assurant
Solutions Senior Leadership Team, Global
Warranty Steering Committee, Risk Committee,
ITS Senior Leadership Team, and ITS Leadership
Council. This month, Senior Project Manager
Pedro Carrasco is leading status updates with ACT
(Assurant Corporate Technology) and the Global
Warranty program management teams. Senior
Implementation Manager Yolanda Graham has
engaged VPS account executives to determine
client training requirements, and continues to
provide status updates to business stakeholders.
Interim GW Program Director
We are pleased to welcome Kelly Benson to
the ITS Effectiveness team as interim Global
Warranty Program Director. Kelly joins us from
Resources Global Professionals on a 7-month
contract to assist with the Global Warranty pro-
gram while we secure full program leadership. In
December, Kelly worked with us to interview key
stakeholders and complete a Global Warranty
program assessment, which centered on change
management efforts.
VPS Claims Update - North America
The VPS Claims - North America implementation
timeline is finalized and available on the Global
Warranty site. We are preparing for a phased
release by client, and our teams are working dili-
gently to meet our target start date of March 30.
Implementations are scheduled to run for three
weeks, and subsequent implementation dates
are still being determined. Additional enhance-
ments recently identified by the business will be
included in these implementations.
Connected Living Claims
The Connected Living Claims organizational
structure alignment and approach were finalized
in December 2014. A drafted scope document
was sent for approval the week of January 5,
and we will follow up with a work plan and SME
capacity plan. We are also still driving toward an
implementation date, and are working to have
a detailed timeline for business requirements,
functional requirements, and solution design
complete by the end of January.
ITS News
We received four vendor responses for the Global Warranty Policy & Contract Administration RFP
(Request for Proposal), and have established a review board to evaluate the responses. Robbin Taylor
hosted vendor presentations during the first week of January. We have identified our short list of ven-
dors, and these vendors will be invited back for a second round of presentations. Recommendations
are scheduled to be delivered to the Global Warranty Steering Committee by the end of February.
Our current program health is pend-
ing. With the approval of the change
request for VPS - North America, our
program scope and cost are green.
There are changes resulting from
the consolidation of the EPS and AMS
Claims process into one Connected
Living Claims process, and our pro-
gram schedule is currently at risk.
Planning and process design efforts
are underway for Connected Living,
and we are driving toward a new
implementation date, focusing on
business requirements by claims life
cycle approach.
Latest News:
Policy & Contract
Administration Update
Global Warranty
PROGRAM
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION
TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
Contributed by Jenna Moran
SCOPE COST SCHEDULE RISK
>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.JAN 2015
PROGRAM SPONSORS
Executive Business Sponsor
Mike Anderson
Executive IT Sponsor
Karen Porter-Wolf
BUSINESS SPONSORS
Connected Living
Manny Becerra, Keith Demmings,
Joe Erdeman
Vehicle Protection Services
John Laudenslager
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Business Process Design
Nasser Hossenbaccus
Information Technology
Reginald Bart-Williams
IT EïŹ€ectiveness
Maria Cabral
Interim Program Director
Kelly Benson
A
A
ITS News
GlobalWarranty
University
Global Warranty
Selfie
Contest Winners
To celebrate the launch of our
Global Warranty site, we hosted a
‘Selfie Scavenger Hunt’ and chal-
lenged participants to take a ‘sel-
fie’ that represents the benefits
of our Global Warranty program,
and showcases the talent, diver-
sity, and competitive spirit of our
teams. We encouraged everyone
to be creative, and they met the
challenge head-on! We are pleased
to announce our winners:
Grand Prize Winner
Swastik Mishra (pictured above)
for Transformation
Other Winners:
Linda Colsky
Flexibility
Martin Kessler
Speed
Binu Mathew
Acceleration
Ismael Correa Rodriguez
Alignment
Thank you to all who participat-
ed! Click here to visit our Global
Warranty blog and check out our
other winning entries.
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION
TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint. JAN 2015>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint. JAN 2015
Mark your calendars! Our Global Warranty – VPS Knowledge Network session is scheduled for February 19,
2015 from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM. Come hear our fantastic panel of speakers as they talk about about our
recent Global Warranty VPS Claims implementations in Brazil and Mexico, and our upcoming implemen-
tations in North America. Get the inside scoop from VPS and Global Warranty leadership and operational
teams as they share their experiences, provide the latest updates on the benefits they are seeing, and
share what their clients are saying about the new platform.
With our North America implementations just around the corner, you won’t want to miss our interactive
question-and-answer - this is your opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts with our VPS and
Global Warranty teams. Plus, if you submit a question to the panel through our Knowledge Network mail-
box either before or during the session, you will be eligible to win one of four $100 gas/petrol gift cards!
Simply email your question to knowledgenetwork@assurant.com, and put #freegas in the subject line. We
hope to see you there!
With the rapid shifts in today’s technology and market envi-
ronment, we are committed to providing our associates with
opportunities to build and maintain the skills, capabilities, com-
petencies, and mindsets needed to survive and thrive in today’s
world. Our Global Warranty teams are on the front lines, helping
us identify and embrace the challenges and opportunities inher-
ent in this dynamic environment, and it is vital that we be able
to leverage and deploy their talents effectively.
On January 8, 2015, Systems Director Kim Horner facilitated an
ITS Knowledge Sharing Session, featuring an overview of Global
Warranty University, a program designed to provide our Global
Warranty associates with an extensive array of training options
on many of the technologies and skills needed to be effective on
our Global Warranty teams. During the session, Systems Director
Joe Drury described the three tracks (PluralSight, SiteCore, and
Mindflash), the different curriculums, learning paths, training
options, and costs.
With GWU, Global Warranty teams have an opportunity to hone
and sharpen their skills, and demonstrate proficiency and knowl-
edge in important areas, while management is able to track
progress toward key competencies. The session was highly infor-
mative, and included an interactive Q&A. Use the links below to
access the presentation slides, or view a live recording of the
presentation!
Presentation Session Recording
ITS Knowledge Share
Talent sustainability means
investing in our associates to help
them succeed, providing opportu-
nities for them to grow and devel-
op, and preparing them to lead
our organization into the future.
Knowledge Network Presents...
Global Warranty & VPS:
Partnering for Growth & Innovation
ITS Systems Director
Heidi Waters
ITS News
As we move from a loose federa-
tion of countries and businesses to a
global model, we must leverage our
talent, capabilities, and resources
efficiently and effectively. Our glob-
al platforms will create capability
and capacity advantages across the
value chain, but will require profound
changes in how we work, team, inno-
vate, collaborate, and deliver.
Collaboration
As we continue to come up with
new products and new ways of doing
things, we need people that can con-
nect-the-dots and truly understand
where we are going and how to get
there. We have to bring people with
different experiences and exposures
to the table - to identify where all
the dots are, see the patterns, and
understand the different aspects of
solving a problem.
Flexibility & Perspective
We must master the ability to lever-
age the weight of global. With a
global system, you can really invest in
making it robust, full-featured, high
performing, fault-tolerant, secure,
and scalable. However, because no
two products or locales are the same,
we need flexibility around business
rules and accounting, and high levels
of configurability. We need greater
collaboration than ever before, and
we must all be more flexible, and
adopt a more global perspective.
Building a...
Global Mindset
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION
TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
This month, we had an opportunity to sit down with Heidi Waters and speak to her about her new
role as Systems Director of the Connected Living Portfolio. Heidi and her team support Mobile, ESC,
and Credit portfolio investments for both the domestic and international markets.
Tell us about your background.
I started out working at a mid-size consult-
ing firm, where I was charged with delivering
projects for new clients across a wide range of
industries. It was the perfect training ground. I
learned about building systems, but more impor-
tantly, I learned how to build a team. With every
project, there were always new people involved!
When I joined Assurant 7 years ago, I was in the
PMO. Then I moved into International and was
exposed to the different countries and different
aspects of how things are done locally. No two
countries are the same! Growing up, I lived in
quite a few places, so I love the cultural diversity
and have a very global perspective. I was born in
Hong Kong, raised in Thailand, and went to col-
lege in Switzerland. I came to the states 20 years
ago. My dad is Swiss, my mom is Norwegian, and
I speak seven languages.
What excites you most about your new role?
I love the whole idea of Connected Living. It’s a
new direction for us, and it’s tangible and real.
Everyone can relate to needing a smartphone,
a TV, a car, or a refrigerator. It’s cool to be in a
growth area, building our presence in that mar-
ket space, and being counted on to make things
happen. I love the energy behind innovation – it
requires a different level of project management
than was needed several years ago.
Our Employee Engagement Survey results show
that our employees are highly committed and
willing to go the extra mile. What makes
Assurant Solutions a great place to work?
The people! We all have tough days, but there
are some really awesome people in this company.
It seems like we are at the crosshairs of a mas-
sive technology and societal shift. How do we
address the enormous complexities of a highly
interconnected, always-on world?
One of the things I love is when someone tells
me their vision and what they want to accom-
plish – my brain automatically breaks it down
into bite-sized, manageable tasks. Whether it
is a large project, a new growth strategy, or a
cultural change – you simply need to understand
where you want to go, what steps to take to get
there, and who you can best leverage to accom-
plish each part. It’s like a puzzle - you just need
to identify the pieces and how they fit together.
Going forward, we expect the amplitude and
frequency of change to increase. What is one
thing we can do to maintain continued focus on
execution discipline?
Across the board, we need to automate repetitive
tasks and focus our resources strategically. We
need to free up the capacity of key leadership
and technical talent to spend time on the val-
ue-add initiatives. That is the only way we can
keep pace with the change.
Tell us something fun about you! Did you make
any exciting New Year resolutions?
I really enjoy running. It is the greatest stress
reliever! I am getting ready to run my second
marathon, and I have already run quite a few
half marathons. Water is my other passion. I
love the ocean and all the ocean life! It is one
of the reasons I moved here. I spend weekends
in the Keys and have gone diving with schooling
hammerheads and tiger sharks. A year and a half
ago I went diving with the great whites. I was
mesmerized!
>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.JAN 2015
A
A
Data Analytics Summit: Leadership Perspectives
Data Matters
On December 9-10, VP - Data Analytics Tamer Soliman hosted a Data Analytics Summit, a forum designed
to collectively build and align on a shared Data Analytics Strategy. To help set the stage, Assurant
Solutions leadership contributed their thoughts and perspectives on Data Analytics and what it means
to the future of our organization.
Chief Operating Officer Mike Anderson
“The Customer Experience”
Mike Anderson spoke about the importance of
the effort to develop a data analytics strategy,
and the relevance of analytics in our efforts to
transform the customer experience. The rise of
the informed and empowered consumer is causing
a major shift in how we deliver products and ser-
vices. Traditional myopic views of the customer
are giving way to new insights and new informa-
tion that can help us better understand customer
behaviors. We must use that understanding in the
right context, across the right channels, to build
more effective connections and experiences that
differentiate the Assurant Solutions brand in the
minds of our customers.
SVP & CIO Karen Porter-Wolf
“A Foundation for Growth”
According to Karen Porter-Wolf, the promise of
analytics is expansive: with business operations
accelerating and decision-making occurring with
real-time immediacy, the ability to react quickly
to changes in the market can yield significant
rewards in terms of new business and customer
satisfaction. Data analytics will play a big role in
our success - and in our bottom line - going for-
ward, and we must develop an enterprise analyti-
cal capability, where the pieces integrate to solve
cross-functional and strategic business problems.
VP - Data Analytics Tamer Soliman
“Smarter Decisions, Better Business Outcomes”
Tamer Soliman shared his vision of data analytics
and how it will deliver a world of opportunity -
fueling growth by enhancing the customer experi-
ence, improving our decision making capabilities,
and positioning us for sustainable competitive
advantage. Effective application of analytics
will require changing long-established business
habits and processes - redesigning how fact-based
insights get embedded into key processes, and
guiding us to smarter decisions and better busi-
ness outcomes.
EVP & President - Connected Living Manny Becerra
“A Launchpad for Innovation”
For Manny Becerra, competitive advantage stems
from asking the right questions, gaining insight
into your customers, and using that insight to
solve for a need or problem. Data analytics
should serve as the launchpad for innovation - and
we must evolve beyond trend analysis and build
the capabilities that allow us to identify the pat-
terns and see the dependencies that allow us to
change the future, not just look at the past. “In
every set of data, we will find a different oppor-
tunity,” said Manny. “If we have the right people
searching, asking questions, and thinking outside
the box, they will find a way to differentiate us
in the marketplace.”
Our Mission
Deliver consistent, transparent, and
actionable information in an agile
manner.
Embedded Analytics
Advanced analytics and reporting
embedded into business innovation,
planning, and decisioning.
Skilled People
A workforce, equipped with the skills
and training to use analytics effi-
ciently and effectively to deliver
business value.
Clear Processes
Well-defined, reliable governance
and processes to ensure data quality,
security, and accessibility.
Efficient Technologies
Common design and reusability stan-
dards; an analytic platform to inte-
grate and expand new and existing
data.
Data Analytics
OUR PURPOSE
>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged across the enterprise footprint. JAN 2015
Data Analytics Summit: Hosted by Tamer Soliman, Facilitated by Cynthia Housman & Shelly Allen
Improved customer insights will
help us design protection prod-
ucts and services that delight
our customers and help us
deliver on our purpose to...
...protect the things that matter
most.
ITS News
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION
TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
Data Analytics Summit: Highlights (cont.)
Data Matters
By bringing together representatives from key areas to talk, challenge each other, and engage, we are
building consensus around prevailing themes and pivotal areas that must be addressed in developing a
working Data Analytics strategy. These outputs helped to shape our Data Analytics Vision Statement.
Information that is...
TIMELY
Timely action on data signals can unlock growth.
We must build a new sophistication in using data
to anticipate tomorrow rather than explain yester-
day. According to the Harvard Business Review,
“If your company doesn’t have people employed to
look at the future, you are not a forward thinking
company.” COO Mike Anderson shares this outlook.
“Speed is your friend. Paralysis
analysis is your enemy. We need
to move fast.”
INSIGHTFUL & INTELLIGENT
Greater access to multiple chan-
nels has given rise to an emerg-
ing need to manage the differ-
ent channels, driving demand
for better insights and smarter
decision-making. Establishing
clear causal links between the
data and the insights, actions, and outcomes
flowing from the data allows us to be more agile,
efficient, responsive, and informed.
A FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION
Data is an increasingly valuable source for gener-
ating new ideas and opportunities for the business.
The task of embedding analytics across functional
domains and enterprise processes will also drive
faster and better decision-making about how to
identify, incubate, invest in, capture, measure, and
maximize our ‘returns on innovation’ (ROI) across
the enterprise.
To drive...
MARKET DISRUPTION
The relevance of analytics to the customer expe-
rience is indusputable. Consumers have technology
at their fingertips, and are constantly engaged with
an ever-flowing fountain of digital information.
Information is a critical aspect of the B2B and
B2C experience - enabling sector-defining business
models and moving us beyond traditional sales and
service frameworks to models that
deliver a multidimensional custom-
er experience.
DIFFERENTIATION
A centralized operational database
will serve as a “single source of
truth” and allow us to leverage
analytics for segmentation, cus-
tomer behavior, pricing, and prod-
uct, to better understand who our
customers are, what they need,
and what they’ll want in the future. Outpacing our
competitors means we must engage with customers
“on their terms” and do it faster and better than
ever before.
SUSTAINABLE PROFIT GROWTH
We need new levels of analytics to fuel operational
efficiencies, invest in the right opportunities, and
turn sales conversations into fulfillment conversa-
tions. Building an enterprise analytical capability
will allow us to deliver enterprise-scale results in
revenue growth, profitability, return on capital,
and customer experience.
Data Analytics
Leadership Team
Tamer Soliman
Vice-President - Data Analytics
Drives the development, implemen-
tation, management, and success
of our enterprise data analytics
strategy, processes, practices, and
infrastructure.
Martin Krawietz
Director - Data Analytics
Integration Team
Works cross-functionally with the
business units to identify and deliv-
er reporting and analytic needs.
Carlos Chung
Systems Director - Data Analytics
Business Intelligence Team
Drives the global IT strategy and
works with IT Solutions and ACT to
improve performance, usability,
and efficiency of DA solutions. Our
Business Intelligence team also pro-
vides data governance.
ITS is pleased to be partnering with
Data Analytics to bring you valuable
news and information about how
we are using data to help shape
the future of Assurant Solutions,
strengthen our position in the mar-
ketplace, and provide a transformed
customer experience.
>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged across the enterprise.JAN 2015
For more information about the Data Analytics Summit, click here.
Vision Statement
Deliver world class advanced
Data Analytics through a Network
of Excellence, by providing time-
ly, insightful, innovative, and
intelligent solutions that... dis-
rupt the market, differentiate
us from competitors, and drive
sustainable, profitable growth
for our customers.
ITS News
ITS News
DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION
TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
Project Highlight: iSeries Upgrade
Efficiency in Action
To fuel growth and innovation, we must embed new capabilities into our operating models while
remaining constantly focused on high performance. Upgrading to a new generation of technology can
accelerate key business processes, increase productivity, and build momentum for the long-term.
We sit at the crosshairs of a significant technology
shift, with new digital tools, technologies, and
platforms reshaping the way we reach consumers,
structure our operating models, and capture new
growth opportunities. Despite the amplitude and
frequency of change, our ITS teams understand
that strong performance is the foundation upon
which we build our future, and remain focused on
channeling our resources efficiently
and effectively, even as we scale to
support the increased demand that
accompanies new growth.
Last quarter, ITS,ACT, and Connected
Living - EPS teams partnered to
upgrade the iSeries platform used by
the CAS application, and as the system of record
for the EPS and Assurant Digital – Consumer Direct
businesses. The upgrade of the iSeries platform,
which is used to service key clients such as GE,
Whirlpool, Samsung, Best Buy Canada, Sony,
and Lowes, has yielded significant performance
improvements, including:
» Daily batch processing of customer files is 2-3
times faster, increasing the productivity of the
Connected Living - EPS Business Processing
team.
» Monthly processes for Actuarial and Accounting
are now completed in Πof the time. Faster
access to the data enables more timely analysis
and improved ability to meet corporate time-
lines and adhere to the corporate reporting
calendar.
» Online transaction processing (OLTP) is signifi-
cantly faster, enabling Consumer Direct and
Customer Service Call Center personnel to
respond to customers more quickly.
» Web portals, such as customer registration web-
sites, also benefit from a performance boost,
providing customers with a more responsive
experience.
According to Jarvis Dickerson, manager – business
processing and production support for Connected
Living, “Because of the high level of engage-
ment and collaboration, my team was confi-
dent that testing and deployment
would go smoothly, and it did.” Jim
Faulk, lead software engineer on the
Solutions IT CAS team agrees, “The
Connected Living – EPS team stayed
in lock-step with us throughout the
project, and Kevin Johnson and Ron
Maddox from ACT were instrumental in standing
up the development and test environments, and
also configuring the high availability system in
Woodbury for us to fail over to.”
An operating system upgrade is scheduled for
April, but business teams are already enjoying
the performance efficiencies from the upgrade.
Increased volumes from Black Friday weekend
and the December holiday shopping season posed
no issues for the new system, and both month-
end and year-end batch processing jobs executed
seamlessly. According to Dickerson, “Batch pro-
cessing tasks are now performed in a fraction of
the time, and we have added confidence that if
there are any issues during month-end close, we
will be able to resolve them before accounting
has to perform accruals.” Lu Ann Sykes, manager
of data analytics and integration also echoes this
sentiment, “We have seen a dramatic improve-
ment
 we have gone from 24-48 hours for the
data extracts, down to about 8 hours. Now that’s
improvement that matters!”
“Now that’s improvement
that matters!”
Lu Ann Sykes
Manager of Data Analytics
& Integration
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 19 (11:00-12:00)
VPS-Global Warranty
Knowledge Network
February 19 (2:30-4)
ITS Leadership Council
February 23 (1:30-3)
ATL Social Hour
February 24 (8:30-1)
ITS Strategy Board
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
JENNIFER KRAMER
ITS Strategy Management
jennifer.kramer@assurant.com
JAN 2015>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.

More Related Content

What's hot

Spark Technology Profile
Spark Technology ProfileSpark Technology Profile
Spark Technology ProfileSpark Technology
 
Corporate ProfileV0.6
Corporate ProfileV0.6Corporate ProfileV0.6
Corporate ProfileV0.6the1itman
 
DX Capability Pack 2015
DX Capability Pack 2015DX Capability Pack 2015
DX Capability Pack 2015Peter Yialas
 
George Beaudin - Hollstadt Default
George Beaudin - Hollstadt DefaultGeorge Beaudin - Hollstadt Default
George Beaudin - Hollstadt DefaultGeorge Beaudin
 
Mobuz solutions software services
Mobuz solutions   software servicesMobuz solutions   software services
Mobuz solutions software servicesSyed Mohseen
 
About gazelle information technologies
About gazelle information technologiesAbout gazelle information technologies
About gazelle information technologiesBikesh Pandey
 
LA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILE
LA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILELA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILE
LA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILEMandabi Saha
 
Be Viable Consultancy Services
Be Viable   Consultancy ServicesBe Viable   Consultancy Services
Be Viable Consultancy Servicesaghasameer
 
Harmony Services Brochure 2015
Harmony Services Brochure 2015Harmony Services Brochure 2015
Harmony Services Brochure 2015Iolanda Meehan, GRP
 
Jobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_Electric
Jobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_ElectricJobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_Electric
Jobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_ElectricLaDonna Tucker
 
Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5
Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5
Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5Kranthi Gadwalkar
 
Vrx outsourcing profile
Vrx outsourcing profileVrx outsourcing profile
Vrx outsourcing profileVarun Joshi
 
Introducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business Agility
Introducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business AgilityIntroducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business Agility
Introducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business AgilityLeanwisdom
 
Company Software Design Proposal Powerpoint Presentation
Company Software Design Proposal Powerpoint PresentationCompany Software Design Proposal Powerpoint Presentation
Company Software Design Proposal Powerpoint PresentationSlideTeam
 

What's hot (17)

Yashraj docx1
Yashraj docx1Yashraj docx1
Yashraj docx1
 
Spark Technology Profile
Spark Technology ProfileSpark Technology Profile
Spark Technology Profile
 
Corporate ProfileV0.6
Corporate ProfileV0.6Corporate ProfileV0.6
Corporate ProfileV0.6
 
DX Capability Pack 2015
DX Capability Pack 2015DX Capability Pack 2015
DX Capability Pack 2015
 
George Beaudin - Hollstadt Default
George Beaudin - Hollstadt DefaultGeorge Beaudin - Hollstadt Default
George Beaudin - Hollstadt Default
 
Mobuz solutions software services
Mobuz solutions   software servicesMobuz solutions   software services
Mobuz solutions software services
 
About gazelle information technologies
About gazelle information technologiesAbout gazelle information technologies
About gazelle information technologies
 
LA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILE
LA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILELA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILE
LA-CONFIANCE COMPANY PROFILE
 
Corporate Profile- Learnitude Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Corporate Profile- Learnitude Technologies Pvt. Ltd.Corporate Profile- Learnitude Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Corporate Profile- Learnitude Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
 
Be Viable Consultancy Services
Be Viable   Consultancy ServicesBe Viable   Consultancy Services
Be Viable Consultancy Services
 
Harmony Services Brochure 2015
Harmony Services Brochure 2015Harmony Services Brochure 2015
Harmony Services Brochure 2015
 
Jobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_Electric
Jobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_ElectricJobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_Electric
Jobvite_CaseStudy_Schneider_Electric
 
Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5
Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5
Novature Tech_Corporate Profile_Ver 1.5
 
2014-CWP-Sustainability-Report
2014-CWP-Sustainability-Report2014-CWP-Sustainability-Report
2014-CWP-Sustainability-Report
 
Vrx outsourcing profile
Vrx outsourcing profileVrx outsourcing profile
Vrx outsourcing profile
 
Introducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business Agility
Introducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business AgilityIntroducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business Agility
Introducing SAFe 5.0 the operating system for Business Agility
 
Company Software Design Proposal Powerpoint Presentation
Company Software Design Proposal Powerpoint PresentationCompany Software Design Proposal Powerpoint Presentation
Company Software Design Proposal Powerpoint Presentation
 

Similar to ITSNews_Jan2015_FINAL

Lineage Logistics and Workday
Lineage Logistics and WorkdayLineage Logistics and Workday
Lineage Logistics and WorkdayWorkday, Inc.
 
NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]
NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]
NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]David Etherington
 
RPO Capability Document
RPO Capability DocumentRPO Capability Document
RPO Capability DocumentShambhoo Phalke
 
Business in Transition?
Business in Transition?Business in Transition?
Business in Transition?Glenn Myers
 
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution
UA Projects - The Proven Projects SolutionUA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution
UA Projects - The Proven Projects SolutionUniting Cloud
 
Sumegh Parab - Resume V1
Sumegh Parab - Resume V1Sumegh Parab - Resume V1
Sumegh Parab - Resume V1Sumegh Parab
 
The talent to win
The talent to winThe talent to win
The talent to winPwC
 
How to Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...
How to  Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...How to  Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...
How to Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...Tom Hood, CPA,CITP,CGMA
 
Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...
Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...
Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...CA Technologies
 
Using Agile Methods In Financial Sservices
Using Agile Methods In Financial SservicesUsing Agile Methods In Financial Sservices
Using Agile Methods In Financial SservicesGian Mahil
 
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution Presentation
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution PresentationUA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution Presentation
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution PresentationUniting Cloud
 
ProofPilot Case Study by Mindbowser
ProofPilot Case Study by MindbowserProofPilot Case Study by Mindbowser
ProofPilot Case Study by MindbowserMindbowser Inc
 
T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...
T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...
T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...The Digital Group
 
Silverskills Engineering Services_Our offer
Silverskills Engineering Services_Our offerSilverskills Engineering Services_Our offer
Silverskills Engineering Services_Our offerIxone Pascual
 

Similar to ITSNews_Jan2015_FINAL (20)

Lineage Logistics and Workday
Lineage Logistics and WorkdayLineage Logistics and Workday
Lineage Logistics and Workday
 
NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]
NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]
NPG Brochure - Client - Black email version[1]
 
WCM Newsletter
WCM NewsletterWCM Newsletter
WCM Newsletter
 
RPO Capability Document
RPO Capability DocumentRPO Capability Document
RPO Capability Document
 
Business in Transition?
Business in Transition?Business in Transition?
Business in Transition?
 
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution
UA Projects - The Proven Projects SolutionUA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution
 
Sumegh Parab - Resume V1
Sumegh Parab - Resume V1Sumegh Parab - Resume V1
Sumegh Parab - Resume V1
 
Vision Activ Channel Partner Programme
Vision Activ Channel Partner  ProgrammeVision Activ Channel Partner  Programme
Vision Activ Channel Partner Programme
 
The talent to win
The talent to winThe talent to win
The talent to win
 
DGI Capabilities-2016
DGI Capabilities-2016DGI Capabilities-2016
DGI Capabilities-2016
 
WFL - LinkedIn RFP Response FINAL
WFL - LinkedIn RFP Response FINALWFL - LinkedIn RFP Response FINAL
WFL - LinkedIn RFP Response FINAL
 
How to Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...
How to  Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...How to  Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...
How to Accelerate Growth, Innovation, and High Performance for CPAs, Account...
 
Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...
Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...
Desjardins Group Leverages CA Workload Automation as It Begins Its DevOps Jou...
 
Using Agile Methods In Financial Sservices
Using Agile Methods In Financial SservicesUsing Agile Methods In Financial Sservices
Using Agile Methods In Financial Sservices
 
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution Presentation
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution PresentationUA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution Presentation
UA Projects - The Proven Projects Solution Presentation
 
ProofPilot Case Study by Mindbowser
ProofPilot Case Study by MindbowserProofPilot Case Study by Mindbowser
ProofPilot Case Study by Mindbowser
 
2014 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report2014 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
 
Change Management
Change ManagementChange Management
Change Management
 
T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...
T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...
T/DG provides all technology components required for implementation of ERP so...
 
Silverskills Engineering Services_Our offer
Silverskills Engineering Services_Our offerSilverskills Engineering Services_Our offer
Silverskills Engineering Services_Our offer
 

ITSNews_Jan2015_FINAL

  • 1. A Message from Leadership As I reflect on 2014, it’s clear that we’ve embraced the ‘digital mindset’, and our journey to date has shown significant results. We have built out key capabilities we need to compete. We have delivered on initiatives to drive improved efficiency. And we are building a strong technology foundation to capitalize on opportunities to redefine the customer experience. In short, we are meeting business imperatives with an unerring focus on our digital ecosystems: people, processes and technology. PEOPLE The 2014 Employee Engagement Survey reflects a high level of workforce engagement in four key areas: (1) The person I report to makes him or her- self available (94%), (2) My manager cares about me (92%), (3) I like the work I do (91%), and (4) The people I work with cooperate to get the job done (90%). However, there is more to be done. Efforts are already underway to improve in the fol- lowing areas: (1) providing a promising future for our people, (2) employee recognition, (3) securing the opinions of employees, and (4) optimizing job conditions for productivity. As we kick off the year, we are implementing new tools to enable improved productivity and collaboration, includ- ing Office 365, Outlook, Lync, One Note, and One Drive. We are also finalizing planning efforts for a new reward and recognition tool. Lastly, we’ll be leveraging newly renovated ‘Collaboration & Video Conference Rooms’ in Atlanta and Miami to further improve our ‘virtual’ work worlds. PROCESS With our emphasis on ‘maturing the disciplines’, we are improving in our quest to deliver proj- ects on time and on budget. We are leverag- ing Value Realization tools and processes on major projects like Hosting the IVR, Website Content Management, and Global Warranty, and will expand use of this framework where it makes sense - to help realize the value of savings initia- tives, and reinvest in our growth lines of business. We have implemented better process controls and improvements in our development, quality assurance, and testing practices, and are seeing results in terms of reduced defects in production releases. We have seen improvements in the PMO Effectiveness Survey results, and with the ITS News, we’ve made tremendous improvements in communicating what’s happening, and connecting our strategy to what you do each day. TECHNOLOGY Last year, we were challenged with implementing new technologies, integrating them into exist- ing infrastructures, and developing the skills to use them effectively. We introduced Global Warranty University to enable our teams to refresh, enhance, and update their skillsets as new technologies emerge. We’ve also been engaged with the AIZ Enterprise Architecture Group, vetting new technologies and ensuring that the great work performed through the Assurant Technology Optimization program continues to keep employees informed about what we have in our portfolio. The EAG has been instrumental in raising awareness of new initia- tives across the enterprise, so we can share in and maximize our return on these investments. In 2015, we will be collaborating with our European team to build an operating model of global effi- ciency – one that balances independence and scale, and optimizes speed of execution, value realization, and the security of customer data. P4 SPOTLIGHT ON NEW SYSTEMS DIRECTOR HEIDI WATERS P6-7 P8 ITS News DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED. P2-3 JAN 2015 JAN 2015 >> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint. Karen Porter-Wolf SVP & CIO Assurant Solutions It’s a brand new year! We have accomplished a great deal and are on the right track. We have clear and decisive plans to continue delivering results as we aggres- sively build new capabilities, reinforce existing value drivers, invest in our associates, and help position our organization for sus- tainable long-term growth. GLOBAL WARRANTY UPDATE; GW-VPS KNOWLEDGE NETWORK DATA MATTERS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DATA ANALYTICS SUMMIT PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: “ISERIES UPGRADE - EFFICIENCY IN ACTION”
  • 2. Thing Globally, Act Locally Global Warranty: Claims Update Globalization represents an opportunity for us to refocus our capabilities and execute an innovative implementation strategy that will allow us to become the architect and builder of a people, process, and technology framework that enables business growth. Vice President of IT Effectiveness Maria Cabral is providing program updates to the Assurant Solutions Senior Leadership Team, Global Warranty Steering Committee, Risk Committee, ITS Senior Leadership Team, and ITS Leadership Council. This month, Senior Project Manager Pedro Carrasco is leading status updates with ACT (Assurant Corporate Technology) and the Global Warranty program management teams. Senior Implementation Manager Yolanda Graham has engaged VPS account executives to determine client training requirements, and continues to provide status updates to business stakeholders. Interim GW Program Director We are pleased to welcome Kelly Benson to the ITS Effectiveness team as interim Global Warranty Program Director. Kelly joins us from Resources Global Professionals on a 7-month contract to assist with the Global Warranty pro- gram while we secure full program leadership. In December, Kelly worked with us to interview key stakeholders and complete a Global Warranty program assessment, which centered on change management efforts. VPS Claims Update - North America The VPS Claims - North America implementation timeline is finalized and available on the Global Warranty site. We are preparing for a phased release by client, and our teams are working dili- gently to meet our target start date of March 30. Implementations are scheduled to run for three weeks, and subsequent implementation dates are still being determined. Additional enhance- ments recently identified by the business will be included in these implementations. Connected Living Claims The Connected Living Claims organizational structure alignment and approach were finalized in December 2014. A drafted scope document was sent for approval the week of January 5, and we will follow up with a work plan and SME capacity plan. We are also still driving toward an implementation date, and are working to have a detailed timeline for business requirements, functional requirements, and solution design complete by the end of January. ITS News We received four vendor responses for the Global Warranty Policy & Contract Administration RFP (Request for Proposal), and have established a review board to evaluate the responses. Robbin Taylor hosted vendor presentations during the first week of January. We have identified our short list of ven- dors, and these vendors will be invited back for a second round of presentations. Recommendations are scheduled to be delivered to the Global Warranty Steering Committee by the end of February. Our current program health is pend- ing. With the approval of the change request for VPS - North America, our program scope and cost are green. There are changes resulting from the consolidation of the EPS and AMS Claims process into one Connected Living Claims process, and our pro- gram schedule is currently at risk. Planning and process design efforts are underway for Connected Living, and we are driving toward a new implementation date, focusing on business requirements by claims life cycle approach. Latest News: Policy & Contract Administration Update Global Warranty PROGRAM DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED. Contributed by Jenna Moran SCOPE COST SCHEDULE RISK >> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.JAN 2015 PROGRAM SPONSORS Executive Business Sponsor Mike Anderson Executive IT Sponsor Karen Porter-Wolf BUSINESS SPONSORS Connected Living Manny Becerra, Keith Demmings, Joe Erdeman Vehicle Protection Services John Laudenslager PROGRAM LEADERSHIP Business Process Design Nasser Hossenbaccus Information Technology Reginald Bart-Williams IT EïŹ€ectiveness Maria Cabral Interim Program Director Kelly Benson
  • 3. A A ITS News GlobalWarranty University Global Warranty Selfie Contest Winners To celebrate the launch of our Global Warranty site, we hosted a ‘Selfie Scavenger Hunt’ and chal- lenged participants to take a ‘sel- fie’ that represents the benefits of our Global Warranty program, and showcases the talent, diver- sity, and competitive spirit of our teams. We encouraged everyone to be creative, and they met the challenge head-on! We are pleased to announce our winners: Grand Prize Winner Swastik Mishra (pictured above) for Transformation Other Winners: Linda Colsky Flexibility Martin Kessler Speed Binu Mathew Acceleration Ismael Correa Rodriguez Alignment Thank you to all who participat- ed! Click here to visit our Global Warranty blog and check out our other winning entries. DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED. >> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint. JAN 2015>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint. JAN 2015 Mark your calendars! Our Global Warranty – VPS Knowledge Network session is scheduled for February 19, 2015 from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM. Come hear our fantastic panel of speakers as they talk about about our recent Global Warranty VPS Claims implementations in Brazil and Mexico, and our upcoming implemen- tations in North America. Get the inside scoop from VPS and Global Warranty leadership and operational teams as they share their experiences, provide the latest updates on the benefits they are seeing, and share what their clients are saying about the new platform. With our North America implementations just around the corner, you won’t want to miss our interactive question-and-answer - this is your opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts with our VPS and Global Warranty teams. Plus, if you submit a question to the panel through our Knowledge Network mail- box either before or during the session, you will be eligible to win one of four $100 gas/petrol gift cards! Simply email your question to knowledgenetwork@assurant.com, and put #freegas in the subject line. We hope to see you there! With the rapid shifts in today’s technology and market envi- ronment, we are committed to providing our associates with opportunities to build and maintain the skills, capabilities, com- petencies, and mindsets needed to survive and thrive in today’s world. Our Global Warranty teams are on the front lines, helping us identify and embrace the challenges and opportunities inher- ent in this dynamic environment, and it is vital that we be able to leverage and deploy their talents effectively. On January 8, 2015, Systems Director Kim Horner facilitated an ITS Knowledge Sharing Session, featuring an overview of Global Warranty University, a program designed to provide our Global Warranty associates with an extensive array of training options on many of the technologies and skills needed to be effective on our Global Warranty teams. During the session, Systems Director Joe Drury described the three tracks (PluralSight, SiteCore, and Mindflash), the different curriculums, learning paths, training options, and costs. With GWU, Global Warranty teams have an opportunity to hone and sharpen their skills, and demonstrate proficiency and knowl- edge in important areas, while management is able to track progress toward key competencies. The session was highly infor- mative, and included an interactive Q&A. Use the links below to access the presentation slides, or view a live recording of the presentation! Presentation Session Recording ITS Knowledge Share Talent sustainability means investing in our associates to help them succeed, providing opportu- nities for them to grow and devel- op, and preparing them to lead our organization into the future. Knowledge Network Presents... Global Warranty & VPS: Partnering for Growth & Innovation
  • 4. ITS Systems Director Heidi Waters ITS News As we move from a loose federa- tion of countries and businesses to a global model, we must leverage our talent, capabilities, and resources efficiently and effectively. Our glob- al platforms will create capability and capacity advantages across the value chain, but will require profound changes in how we work, team, inno- vate, collaborate, and deliver. Collaboration As we continue to come up with new products and new ways of doing things, we need people that can con- nect-the-dots and truly understand where we are going and how to get there. We have to bring people with different experiences and exposures to the table - to identify where all the dots are, see the patterns, and understand the different aspects of solving a problem. Flexibility & Perspective We must master the ability to lever- age the weight of global. With a global system, you can really invest in making it robust, full-featured, high performing, fault-tolerant, secure, and scalable. However, because no two products or locales are the same, we need flexibility around business rules and accounting, and high levels of configurability. We need greater collaboration than ever before, and we must all be more flexible, and adopt a more global perspective. Building a... Global Mindset DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED. This month, we had an opportunity to sit down with Heidi Waters and speak to her about her new role as Systems Director of the Connected Living Portfolio. Heidi and her team support Mobile, ESC, and Credit portfolio investments for both the domestic and international markets. Tell us about your background. I started out working at a mid-size consult- ing firm, where I was charged with delivering projects for new clients across a wide range of industries. It was the perfect training ground. I learned about building systems, but more impor- tantly, I learned how to build a team. With every project, there were always new people involved! When I joined Assurant 7 years ago, I was in the PMO. Then I moved into International and was exposed to the different countries and different aspects of how things are done locally. No two countries are the same! Growing up, I lived in quite a few places, so I love the cultural diversity and have a very global perspective. I was born in Hong Kong, raised in Thailand, and went to col- lege in Switzerland. I came to the states 20 years ago. My dad is Swiss, my mom is Norwegian, and I speak seven languages. What excites you most about your new role? I love the whole idea of Connected Living. It’s a new direction for us, and it’s tangible and real. Everyone can relate to needing a smartphone, a TV, a car, or a refrigerator. It’s cool to be in a growth area, building our presence in that mar- ket space, and being counted on to make things happen. I love the energy behind innovation – it requires a different level of project management than was needed several years ago. Our Employee Engagement Survey results show that our employees are highly committed and willing to go the extra mile. What makes Assurant Solutions a great place to work? The people! We all have tough days, but there are some really awesome people in this company. It seems like we are at the crosshairs of a mas- sive technology and societal shift. How do we address the enormous complexities of a highly interconnected, always-on world? One of the things I love is when someone tells me their vision and what they want to accom- plish – my brain automatically breaks it down into bite-sized, manageable tasks. Whether it is a large project, a new growth strategy, or a cultural change – you simply need to understand where you want to go, what steps to take to get there, and who you can best leverage to accom- plish each part. It’s like a puzzle - you just need to identify the pieces and how they fit together. Going forward, we expect the amplitude and frequency of change to increase. What is one thing we can do to maintain continued focus on execution discipline? Across the board, we need to automate repetitive tasks and focus our resources strategically. We need to free up the capacity of key leadership and technical talent to spend time on the val- ue-add initiatives. That is the only way we can keep pace with the change. Tell us something fun about you! Did you make any exciting New Year resolutions? I really enjoy running. It is the greatest stress reliever! I am getting ready to run my second marathon, and I have already run quite a few half marathons. Water is my other passion. I love the ocean and all the ocean life! It is one of the reasons I moved here. I spend weekends in the Keys and have gone diving with schooling hammerheads and tiger sharks. A year and a half ago I went diving with the great whites. I was mesmerized! >> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.JAN 2015
  • 5. A A Data Analytics Summit: Leadership Perspectives Data Matters On December 9-10, VP - Data Analytics Tamer Soliman hosted a Data Analytics Summit, a forum designed to collectively build and align on a shared Data Analytics Strategy. To help set the stage, Assurant Solutions leadership contributed their thoughts and perspectives on Data Analytics and what it means to the future of our organization. Chief Operating Officer Mike Anderson “The Customer Experience” Mike Anderson spoke about the importance of the effort to develop a data analytics strategy, and the relevance of analytics in our efforts to transform the customer experience. The rise of the informed and empowered consumer is causing a major shift in how we deliver products and ser- vices. Traditional myopic views of the customer are giving way to new insights and new informa- tion that can help us better understand customer behaviors. We must use that understanding in the right context, across the right channels, to build more effective connections and experiences that differentiate the Assurant Solutions brand in the minds of our customers. SVP & CIO Karen Porter-Wolf “A Foundation for Growth” According to Karen Porter-Wolf, the promise of analytics is expansive: with business operations accelerating and decision-making occurring with real-time immediacy, the ability to react quickly to changes in the market can yield significant rewards in terms of new business and customer satisfaction. Data analytics will play a big role in our success - and in our bottom line - going for- ward, and we must develop an enterprise analyti- cal capability, where the pieces integrate to solve cross-functional and strategic business problems. VP - Data Analytics Tamer Soliman “Smarter Decisions, Better Business Outcomes” Tamer Soliman shared his vision of data analytics and how it will deliver a world of opportunity - fueling growth by enhancing the customer experi- ence, improving our decision making capabilities, and positioning us for sustainable competitive advantage. Effective application of analytics will require changing long-established business habits and processes - redesigning how fact-based insights get embedded into key processes, and guiding us to smarter decisions and better busi- ness outcomes. EVP & President - Connected Living Manny Becerra “A Launchpad for Innovation” For Manny Becerra, competitive advantage stems from asking the right questions, gaining insight into your customers, and using that insight to solve for a need or problem. Data analytics should serve as the launchpad for innovation - and we must evolve beyond trend analysis and build the capabilities that allow us to identify the pat- terns and see the dependencies that allow us to change the future, not just look at the past. “In every set of data, we will find a different oppor- tunity,” said Manny. “If we have the right people searching, asking questions, and thinking outside the box, they will find a way to differentiate us in the marketplace.” Our Mission Deliver consistent, transparent, and actionable information in an agile manner. Embedded Analytics Advanced analytics and reporting embedded into business innovation, planning, and decisioning. Skilled People A workforce, equipped with the skills and training to use analytics effi- ciently and effectively to deliver business value. Clear Processes Well-defined, reliable governance and processes to ensure data quality, security, and accessibility. Efficient Technologies Common design and reusability stan- dards; an analytic platform to inte- grate and expand new and existing data. Data Analytics OUR PURPOSE >> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged across the enterprise footprint. JAN 2015 Data Analytics Summit: Hosted by Tamer Soliman, Facilitated by Cynthia Housman & Shelly Allen Improved customer insights will help us design protection prod- ucts and services that delight our customers and help us deliver on our purpose to... ...protect the things that matter most. ITS News DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED.
  • 6. Data Analytics Summit: Highlights (cont.) Data Matters By bringing together representatives from key areas to talk, challenge each other, and engage, we are building consensus around prevailing themes and pivotal areas that must be addressed in developing a working Data Analytics strategy. These outputs helped to shape our Data Analytics Vision Statement. Information that is... TIMELY Timely action on data signals can unlock growth. We must build a new sophistication in using data to anticipate tomorrow rather than explain yester- day. According to the Harvard Business Review, “If your company doesn’t have people employed to look at the future, you are not a forward thinking company.” COO Mike Anderson shares this outlook. “Speed is your friend. Paralysis analysis is your enemy. We need to move fast.” INSIGHTFUL & INTELLIGENT Greater access to multiple chan- nels has given rise to an emerg- ing need to manage the differ- ent channels, driving demand for better insights and smarter decision-making. Establishing clear causal links between the data and the insights, actions, and outcomes flowing from the data allows us to be more agile, efficient, responsive, and informed. A FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION Data is an increasingly valuable source for gener- ating new ideas and opportunities for the business. The task of embedding analytics across functional domains and enterprise processes will also drive faster and better decision-making about how to identify, incubate, invest in, capture, measure, and maximize our ‘returns on innovation’ (ROI) across the enterprise. To drive... MARKET DISRUPTION The relevance of analytics to the customer expe- rience is indusputable. Consumers have technology at their fingertips, and are constantly engaged with an ever-flowing fountain of digital information. Information is a critical aspect of the B2B and B2C experience - enabling sector-defining business models and moving us beyond traditional sales and service frameworks to models that deliver a multidimensional custom- er experience. DIFFERENTIATION A centralized operational database will serve as a “single source of truth” and allow us to leverage analytics for segmentation, cus- tomer behavior, pricing, and prod- uct, to better understand who our customers are, what they need, and what they’ll want in the future. Outpacing our competitors means we must engage with customers “on their terms” and do it faster and better than ever before. SUSTAINABLE PROFIT GROWTH We need new levels of analytics to fuel operational efficiencies, invest in the right opportunities, and turn sales conversations into fulfillment conversa- tions. Building an enterprise analytical capability will allow us to deliver enterprise-scale results in revenue growth, profitability, return on capital, and customer experience. Data Analytics Leadership Team Tamer Soliman Vice-President - Data Analytics Drives the development, implemen- tation, management, and success of our enterprise data analytics strategy, processes, practices, and infrastructure. Martin Krawietz Director - Data Analytics Integration Team Works cross-functionally with the business units to identify and deliv- er reporting and analytic needs. Carlos Chung Systems Director - Data Analytics Business Intelligence Team Drives the global IT strategy and works with IT Solutions and ACT to improve performance, usability, and efficiency of DA solutions. Our Business Intelligence team also pro- vides data governance. ITS is pleased to be partnering with Data Analytics to bring you valuable news and information about how we are using data to help shape the future of Assurant Solutions, strengthen our position in the mar- ketplace, and provide a transformed customer experience. >> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged across the enterprise.JAN 2015 For more information about the Data Analytics Summit, click here. Vision Statement Deliver world class advanced Data Analytics through a Network of Excellence, by providing time- ly, insightful, innovative, and intelligent solutions that... dis- rupt the market, differentiate us from competitors, and drive sustainable, profitable growth for our customers. ITS News
  • 7. ITS News DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RELEVANT, TIMELY INFORMATION TO HELP EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO SUCCEED. Project Highlight: iSeries Upgrade Efficiency in Action To fuel growth and innovation, we must embed new capabilities into our operating models while remaining constantly focused on high performance. Upgrading to a new generation of technology can accelerate key business processes, increase productivity, and build momentum for the long-term. We sit at the crosshairs of a significant technology shift, with new digital tools, technologies, and platforms reshaping the way we reach consumers, structure our operating models, and capture new growth opportunities. Despite the amplitude and frequency of change, our ITS teams understand that strong performance is the foundation upon which we build our future, and remain focused on channeling our resources efficiently and effectively, even as we scale to support the increased demand that accompanies new growth. Last quarter, ITS,ACT, and Connected Living - EPS teams partnered to upgrade the iSeries platform used by the CAS application, and as the system of record for the EPS and Assurant Digital – Consumer Direct businesses. The upgrade of the iSeries platform, which is used to service key clients such as GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, Best Buy Canada, Sony, and Lowes, has yielded significant performance improvements, including: » Daily batch processing of customer files is 2-3 times faster, increasing the productivity of the Connected Living - EPS Business Processing team. » Monthly processes for Actuarial and Accounting are now completed in ÂŒ of the time. Faster access to the data enables more timely analysis and improved ability to meet corporate time- lines and adhere to the corporate reporting calendar. » Online transaction processing (OLTP) is signifi- cantly faster, enabling Consumer Direct and Customer Service Call Center personnel to respond to customers more quickly. » Web portals, such as customer registration web- sites, also benefit from a performance boost, providing customers with a more responsive experience. According to Jarvis Dickerson, manager – business processing and production support for Connected Living, “Because of the high level of engage- ment and collaboration, my team was confi- dent that testing and deployment would go smoothly, and it did.” Jim Faulk, lead software engineer on the Solutions IT CAS team agrees, “The Connected Living – EPS team stayed in lock-step with us throughout the project, and Kevin Johnson and Ron Maddox from ACT were instrumental in standing up the development and test environments, and also configuring the high availability system in Woodbury for us to fail over to.” An operating system upgrade is scheduled for April, but business teams are already enjoying the performance efficiencies from the upgrade. Increased volumes from Black Friday weekend and the December holiday shopping season posed no issues for the new system, and both month- end and year-end batch processing jobs executed seamlessly. According to Dickerson, “Batch pro- cessing tasks are now performed in a fraction of the time, and we have added confidence that if there are any issues during month-end close, we will be able to resolve them before accounting has to perform accruals.” Lu Ann Sykes, manager of data analytics and integration also echoes this sentiment, “We have seen a dramatic improve- ment
 we have gone from 24-48 hours for the data extracts, down to about 8 hours. Now that’s improvement that matters!” “Now that’s improvement that matters!” Lu Ann Sykes Manager of Data Analytics & Integration UPCOMING EVENTS February 19 (11:00-12:00) VPS-Global Warranty Knowledge Network February 19 (2:30-4) ITS Leadership Council February 23 (1:30-3) ATL Social Hour February 24 (8:30-1) ITS Strategy Board FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT JENNIFER KRAMER ITS Strategy Management jennifer.kramer@assurant.com JAN 2015>> News and information to help you stay informed and engaged, across the ITS footprint.