Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE: GWRE), a provider of software products
to general insurers, today celebrates its presence in Europe, ten years
since opening its London office.
Keith Stonell, managing director EMEA, Guidewire, considers how
Guidewire’s UK and wider European business have matured in that time, in
line with the development of insurance technology as a whole. “When we
opened our regional headquarters in London the focus for many insurers
was on replacing their outdated, often inflexible legacy claim systems
that were limiting business efficiency. The challenge of the day was
deciding whether to build a new solution or buy one of the emerging
modern technology systems on the market, like ours. Insurers now largely
recognise the advantages of purchasing packaged core system software,
not just for claims management but for underwriting, policy
administration, and billing as well. This has been followed rapidly by
an increasing urgency to be more responsive, and to become more flexible
and innovative in the services they provide to their customers and
brokers.”
Stonell continued, “Many European insurers now seek software that allows
them to transform their business relatively quickly, starting with their
core technology and extending through to the omni-channel digital
experience expected by their customers. In response to the demands of
the insurance market, Guidewire products have evolved to support this
customer-centric service provision, providing the foundation and tools
to ensure that insurers succeed in what has become a drive to
continuously improve their business and better serve their customers.”
Since 2005, key highpoints for Guidewire EMEA include:
-
European customer numbers have risen to more than 30 across nine
countries. Insurers selecting Guidewire include: ADAC, Admiral Group
plc, Aviva UK, Basler, Beazley Group plc, Direct Line Italy, Hastings
Direct, L’Olivier, LV=, NFU Mutual, P&V, Pohjola, PZU, QBE European
Operations, Rossgosstrakh, Tinkoff, Towergate, TUiR Warta, UnipolSai
Assicurazioni S.p.A., and Zurich.
-
User Groups have been established by customers in three markets to
discuss insurance technology experience and share insight;
-
London Market Messaging, a Guidewire ClaimCenter extension pack was
introduced, delivering specialised functionality to address the unique
requirements of the London insurance market;
-
Staff numbers have grown to more than 300, with offices in Dublin,
London, Milan, Munich, Paris and Warsaw. Dublin is Guidewire’s largest
office outside of the U.S., and comprises a European Development
Centre and Global Services Centre;
-
Along with global partnerships, local partner relationships in Europe
have continued to develop (offering specific market expertise) as part
of Guidewire’s global PartnerConnect programme;
-
Industry analysts have recognised Guidewire’s position in Europe as an
insurance technology leader:
-
XCelent Awards 2015 (Functionality and Customer Base) in Celent’s Claims
Systems Vendors: EMEA P&C Insurance 20151, read
report;
-
A leader in Gartner’s first Magic Quadrant for Property
and Casualty Insurance Claims Management Modules2,
read
report;
-
A Market Leader in Ovum’s Decision Matrix: Selecting a P&C
Insurance Policy Administration Platform - Europe, 2013-14
report3, read
report.
Craig Beattie, senior analyst, Insurance, Celent, commented that,
“Guidewire is a vendor consistently referenced by insurers across Europe
particularly, with a reach and deployment record that is very impressive
and speaks for itself in this diverse market.”
Marcus Ryu, chief executive officer, Guidewire, stated, ““The last
decade of operations in Europe have been both extremely rewarding and
humbling for Guidewire. We have enjoyed dramatic growth in our European
customer community and celebrated many project successes, while
constantly learning how to fulfill the ambitions of this extremely
diverse marketplace. Many of the largest and most sophisticated insurers
in the world are Europe-based, and we will continue to invest to earn
the opportunity to serve them.”
About Guidewire Software
Guidewire builds software products that help general insurers replace
their legacy core systems and transform their business. Designed to be
flexible and scalable, Guidewire products enable insurers to deliver
excellent service, increase market share and lower operating costs.
Guidewire InsuranceSuite™ provides the core systems used by insurers as
operational systems of record. Additional products provide support for
data management, business intelligence, anytime/anywhere access and
guidance and monitoring. More than 180 general insurers around the world
have selected Guidewire. For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com.
Follow us on twitter: @Guidewire_PandC.
NOTE: Guidewire, Guidewire Software, Guidewire ClaimCenter, Guidewire
PolicyCenter, and Guidewire BillingCenter are registered trademarks of
Guidewire Software, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
1 Claims System Vendors – EMEA P&C Insurance 2015,
Celent, Craig Beattie, February, 2015
2 Magic Quadrant for Property and Casualty Insurance
Claims Management Modules, Gartner, Reference
ID:G00261134, Jeff Haner, May 28, 2014
3 Ovum Decision Matrix: Selecting a P&C Insurance Policy
Administration Platform - Europe, 2013-14, Charles Juniper, 17
October, 2013
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