Polaris supports the production of various agreed EDI messages required to allow full cycle processing. This support is provided via a flexible approach which uses a third party translator. Polaris have made arrangements for certain RTE integrators (see notes below) to have advantageous licensing terms for the Kewill eBiz Manager* EDI gateway but the overall approach is equally suited to any other gateway should integrators prefer to use a different one.
The RTE outputs a structured ‘intermediate’ file which is used by the Kewill software to produce the necessary EDI file for transmission over the network at a convenient time. For the Kewill gateway only, Polaris provide the mapping from the intermediate file formats to the EDI file structures for all the agreed standard messages and maintain these mappings in line with any dictionary changes as required. The Kewill software also contains a communications component which can be used to transmit the EDI messages via the network. Alternatively, the EDI files can be transmitted by existing, or any other, communication gateway software if preferred.
For inbound EDI messages the reverse process applies in that the Kewill gateway can be used to receive the incoming messages. Polaris mappings have been produced which will translate these into the structured intermediate file for loading to the RTE.
The Kewill software is separate from the RTE and can be fully integrated with the broker application thus providing the integrator with full control over the presentation and handling of audit, housekeeping and error messages.
Any company not wishing to use the Kewill software may use any other gateway supplier to provide the relevant functions. In this case they will need to organise the mapping from, and to, the RTE intermediate file format in accordance with the Polaris mapping specification.
Polaris have agreed to provide standard mappings for the Kewill software for the following messages:
§ Personal
Motor (PROP05 vsn 5.2)
(MTAD vsn 5.2)
(RNWL vsn 5.1)
(RCON vsn 5.2)
(PLSA vsn 5.2)
Household (HHPRO3 vsn 3.9)
(HHAJ03 vsn 3.9)
(HHRC03 vsn 3.9)
Polaris UK Limited has purchased a master licence for UK-based intermediaries and their software houses to use Kewill’s EDI software. To be eligible parties must be users of the Polaris rating engine (the Run Time Environment or RTE) or be in the process of integrating it into their system.
The terms of the licence allow free usage of the software although there are charges for maintenance, software distribution and support from Kewill. These charges are in the order of:
· £500 for the first copy of the software on any operating system (£250 for subsequent systems)
· £900 per day for installation at the client site (up to 5 days is recommended to cover implementation, incidental support and staff training).
· Various levels of on-going support are offered. Details are available from Kewill.
The Kewill software will interface to all major networks, but mailbox access to the chosen value added network (VAN) supplier is a prerequisite. The number of mailboxes required will depend on the infrastructure architecture in place; if each broker is independently sending EDI messages to insurers they will each require a mailbox, whereas a single mailbox will be needed if a bureau operation is employed and all broker’s EDI messages are collected and sent from a central point.
In the UK the major VAN services are offered by AT&T Easylink, BT EDI*Net, GEIS Tradanet and IBM I.E. Each has a different pricing model for use of their services.
Kewill have an arrangement with IBM whereby, if required, they can assist with the provision of IBM I.E. mailboxes at a cost of £1,650 for one year’s limited use. Acceptance of this offer is entirely at the integrator’s discretion and should be discussed directly with Kewill..
Implementing EDI is not a simple matter, particularly for those with limited experience in this area. Polaris has published a document to explain and highlight the issues which must be considered and addressed in order to make the implementation as pain free as possible. The document is titled ‘Kewill EDI Integration Overview’ and is available on the Polaris web site (in the Insurance E-trading Standards section).
Polaris are not involved in any commercial negotiations for the use of the Kewill software or any other Kewill services. Software houses should contact Kewill* (see below) direct to arrange an appropriate licence agreement and for details on integration between the Kewill software and the broker application.
Software houses must load Polaris software rel 17.1 or later prior to integration with the Kewill application.
* Kewill plc
13a Market Square
Alton, Hampshire GU34 1UR
Contact: Debbie Baker
(01420-545000)
The Polaris master licence agreement is not available to insurers.
EDI messages sent by the insurer to the broker system must contain the version number of the Polaris dictionary it is based on. The message name/Id and version is also required.
Updated
8th August 2006