What’s New: In Brief (July 04, 2008)

Brokers are now able to upload customer and property information directly into SaversCL, ING Insurance’s broker application, to request a quote using Keal Technology’s commercial management system comXP.
Using Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) XML standards, Phase 1 of the data integration project announced earlier this year has been initiated, according to a Keal release.
Phase 2 will include uploading coverages from comXP to ING’s SaversCL and is expected in 2008 Q3.
Later in the year, the integration will include downloads from SaversCL to comCP, creating a two-way data exchange, the release notes.

CARSTAR Automotive Canada has added two new franchise locations in Alberta.
The new locations in Edmonton and High River increase the company’s presence in the province to a total of 12 locations, according to a release.
John Kloeckes, owner of Capital CARSTAR Collision, and Mark Kharfan and Brian Grover, owners of Wrinkles CARSTAR Collision, have been part of the association’s family since 1999.
“When I joined CARSTAR in 1999, it was because I wanted to see my business grow,” Kloeckes said in the release. “I’ve experienced significant success since then, so when the opportunity for a second CARSTAR location became available, it was an easy decision.”
Kharfan said: “We’ve seen how being a part of the CARSTAR network can benefit us and the community. Calgary has been growing at such a rapid pace that it makes sense to have another reliable, quality and customer-focused location in the area.”