Skywire Software announced it has achieved IBM SOA Specialty partnership status after successfully completing IBM’s rigorous SOA (service-oriented architecture) technical and business requirements. With this achievement, Skywire Software’s Insbridge rating, rules and underwriting system and Documaker Customer Communications Management (CCM) software are certified to integrate with IBM’s software and strategy for SOA.

“SOA is an increasingly important business requirement for organizations because of the flexibility it enables,” said Sandy Carter, vice president of IBM SOA and WebSphere. “These certifications are proof of Skywire Software’s commitment to SOA, and to providing best-in-breed, component-based software that fits well in today’s open, secure architectures. Skywire Software’s industry-leading products in document automation and rating are an excellent complement to IBM’s core administrative systems, and both companies have deep domain expertise in insurance. It’s a good partnership for our customers.”

Skywire Software’s Insbridge is a robust yet easy-to-use Web-based rating, rules and underwriting system that gives insurers the ability to create, deploy and manage complex rates and rules with a supreme accuracy. Skywire Software’s Documaker Suite enables companies to create, maintain, and distribute high volumes of personalized customer documents on demand, such as statements, bills, policies, reports and letters for multi-channel delivery. Both core components fit into today’s modern SOA frameworks, helping insurance companies leverage their investments.

Independent advisory firm Celent recently cited Skywire Software as the most widely used provider of document automation software in the insurance industry, with Documaker having largest install base of any vendor examined in its study, Document Automation Solution Vendors for Insurers 2007. Skywire Software ranked highly across all four categories studied: advanced technology and flexibility, breadth of functionality, customer base and depth of client services.

Recent research by Gartner has stated, “P&C insurers should move to a single rating engine, which will ensure rating accuracy across multiple channels,” according to Stephen Forte, Gartner, Inc., in Findings: Obtaining the Single Engine Rating for P&C Insurers, published December 12, 2007. “With a single rating engine, insurers will no longer have to maintain and test numerous systems separately. This will reduce inefficiencies and inaccuracies in rating.”

The Gartner report P&C Insurers Must Adopt Web-Based Rating Engines published September 28, 2007, and also authored by Forte recommends property and casualty insurers “move to Web-based rating engines, which enable the accurate and efficient collection and sharing of critical data required by other software within the organization.”

“Having not just one, but two products certified by IBM is a verification of Skywire Software’s commitment to modern, flexible technologies,” said Wendy Gibson, chief marketing officer of Skywire Software. “We recognize the importance of SOA, and how it allows companies to extend their technology investments. Skywire Software is committed to best-in-breed technology and continuous innovation, enabling our customers to solve key business challenges.”