Insurance enterprises are faced with a new business landscape – diversified channels, varied distribution, and changing demographics. The technology landscape, however, is not so new – maintaining legacy applications is getting costlier, budgets are limited, and IT isn't delivering the returns it should. Succeeding in this new environment calls for insurance carriers to bring new thinking and new technologies into their existing landscape, and go fortified into the next generation of business.

Challenges and opportunities

1. Changing demographics: Consumer lifestyles and tastes have changed over time, giving rise to demands for refined products with a higher degree of personalization. Knowing what consumers want and targeting them is now imperative, with solutions that aid social engagement and digital marketing.
2. Market conditions: Soft markets present a more competitive environment and a need to better manage cost of operations. Enhancing marketing and distribution effectiveness with robust analytics can help keep pace with the current state of the market.
3. Regulatory compliance: With new and expanding compliance regulations in American and European markets, the need of the hour is to address gaps between complex compliance models and IT needs with well planned, executed and managed programs.
4. Emerging technologies: The rise of social media and mobility has raised expectations in customer service and engagement, while cloud computing presents enterprises with the ability to create more efficient ecosystems. These create powerful possibilities to 'engage-as-you-go' and 'pay-as-you-go'.