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Press release:

Ref: OGI0242
28th October 2010

Academy Sign 5 Year Open GI Contract Following IT Review

Independent broker, Academy Insurance Services has contracted to a new five-year partnership deal with Open GI following a market-wide IT review.

After a detailed evaluation of the software house market Academy signed the five year partnership agreement based on the overall functionality of the Open GI system. Within the contract Academy plan to streamline workflow processes and strengthen disaster recovery and reporting capability, in parallel with taking advantage of Open GI’s Enhanced Support Service.

The Open GI Enhanced Support Service is aimed at brokers who wish to outsource the administration of their core broking IT environment with Open GI providing system upgrades, diagnostic services and support remotely from its headquarters in Worcester.

Brokers who implement the service have direct access to allocated Open GI support staff who, in addition to answering technical queries, perform daily monitoring of critical system processes and ensure that optimum performance and stability is maintained.

Academy Insurance Services have a branch network supporting 76,000 customers nationwide and have experienced major efficiency gains as a result of their process review so far. The addition of the planned productivity solutions will aid them in improving efficiency even further and, ultimately, profitability.

Dave Bard, Chairman, Academy Insurance Services, said: “We took our recent system review incredibly seriously over several months before coming to this decision. We have invested in Open GI’s latest product set to drive efficiencies across our large IT infrastructure and rapidly expanding client base. It is important to have the best level of support while ensuring maximum system performance and a high level of client service.

“Open GI’s Enhanced Support Service supports just that. Acting as a one-stop-shop for our needs, rather than employing dedicated IT resource to manage all 10 of our sites, we have direct access to highly experienced support staff. With their in-depth understanding of the way we use the system we know that when we pick up the phone, any issues will be dealt with immediately alongside our systems being continually monitored and updated for us.”

Simon Hughes, Sales & Marketing Director, Open GI, said: “We are thrilled that Academy have chosen Open GI as their long term IT partner. They are highly ambitious and recognise the importance of investment in IT, and with our Enhanced Support Service they can get on with the primary task of servicing clients while Open GI consultants interrogate the system behind the scenes, proactively rather than reactively. Remote management of the system adds another dimension to our already comprehensive support service, enabling Academy to focus on client relationships, sales and retention.”

For More Information about Open GI:
Adele Clarkson
Marketing and PR Manager
Open GI
Tel: 01905 754455
email: adele.clarkson@opengi.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Open GI supplies market leading IT solutions to insurance brokers across the UK & Ireland. With 20,000 users in around 2,000 firms, the company has a 40% share of the UK broker market and is committed to technological innovation. Open GI technology enables personal and commercial lines brokers trading in standard and niche markets to streamline business activity and become more profitable. With a workforce of 300 people and a 30-year heritage, the company enjoys a strong financial performance. For the year ended 31st May 2009 Open GI reported revenues of £32.0 million and an operating profit of £17.9 million.