Case Studies
A Professional Insurance Underwriting System
Project Overview
This Professional Insurance Underwriting Application (PIUA) is an underwriting system designed specifically for the Professional Liability Insurance field. It enables users to produce quotations, bind coverage, and issue policies on behalf of insurance brokers. The organizati0on does not deal directly with end customers but instead acts as an intermediary between brokers and insurance companies, providing a critical link in the policy issuance process.
The first product line within PIUA went live in 1989, and over time it expanded to house all of the client’s product lines. While advanced for its time, the technology supporting the system had aged more than twenty years. The application continued to operate on an HP platform that was approaching obsolescence, creating both business risks and technical challenges. Securing resources with expertise in the legacy technology has become increasingly difficult, prompting the client to pursue modernization.
The Challenge
The Core Challenge facing this client was the reliance on outdated Speedware and COBOL-based systems running on aging HP hardware. The limitations of the platform not only placed the application at risk but also hindered integration with modern productivity tools such as Microsoft Office and SharePoint. The client’s research confirmed that no Software as a Service (SaaS) or Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) package could provide the specialized underwriting capabilities delivered by PIUA. A tailored modernization approach was therefore required.
Our Approach
CORE conducted an in-depth analysis of the Speedware/COBOL system and proposed a migration strategy to transition the application into a modern Microsoft-based environment. The modernization would move PIUA onto a SQL Server backend with a .NET WPF based application tier running on a Windows CITRIX server. This approach would not only replicate existing business functionality but also position the system for future scalability and integration.
The proposal included recommendations to deploy separate application and database servers to ensure performance, particularly if shared environments were used alongside other systems such as SharePoint or K2. The architecture would be designed to support 100 concurrent users with scalability through CITRIX farms if necessary. CORE also emphasized the importance of preserving usability features such as type-ahead input, minimizing reliance on the mouse, and maintaining “sticky” identifiers for claims, underwriters, and policies.
To replace COBOL-based printed form generation, CORE recommended adopting STR Software’s AventX for Windows, which would streamline document creation and output. Omnidex, which supported partial-field search functionality, would be replaced by native SQL queries. The project also called for migration of secondary IMAGE databases for claims and policy administration systems, ensuring data compatibility with the new .NET environment.
Results
Through its modernization proposal, CORE provided this client with a clear path forward: migration to a fully supported, scalable Microsoft technology stack. The approach addressed the obsolescence of the HP platform, reduced reliance on scarce legacy expertise, and created opportunities for integration with widely adopted productivity tools. By modernizing EAE, this client would ensure business continuity for its underwriting operations while preparing its core system for future growth and innovation.
Why It Matters
Projects of this nature are critical because core business applications like PIUA sit at the heart of day-to-day operations. When they remain on outdated technology, organizations face significant risks, including system instability, lack of vendor support, and an inability to adapt to evolving business demands. Modernization not only protected the client from the looming obsolescence of its legacy environment but also enabled greater agility, scalability, and efficiency. By investing in a future-ready architecture, this client ensured that it’s underwriting platform could evolve with regulatory changes, market demands, and digital transformation trends, ultimately protecting revenue streams while enhancing service delivery to brokers and insurance partners.