Microsoft and AMS Announce Strategic Alliance
REDMOND, Wash., and WINDSOR, Conn., April 27, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. and AMS Services Inc. today announced plans for a strategic alliance in connection with AMS’ development of its next generation of insurance products using the Microsoft® Windows NT® Server operating system and the BackOffice® family of products.
AMS Services, a software company owned by nine insurance carriers with revenues of $218 million in 1997, is an industry leader in insurance automation solutions with more than 30,000 customers and employing more than 1,200 insurance and technology professionals.
Key elements of the planned alliance include the following:
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Training for certification of 50 percent of AMS service and software development professionals as Microsoft Certified Professionals by Dec. 31, 1998
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Development of AMS’ existing applications to Windows NT and BackOffice
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Participation by AMS as a member in the Windows® Distributed interNet Applications architecture for Financial Services (Windows DNA FS) initiative. Part of the Windows DNA FS effort includes full participation in ACORD Corp.’s OlifE and ObjX standards.
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Training provided by Microsoft for AMS developers and support personnel on Microsoft technologies
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Assistance from Microsoft for AMS’ development and rollout of Microsoft Internet Explorer projects
“By solidifying the business relationship that has been developing between AMS and Microsoft over the past few years, AMS customers will clearly benefit,” said Chris Magee, president and CEO of AMS. “With AMS and Microsoft working together in the development of future insurance automation products, AMS should remain in the forefront of technology and applications that will enhance our industry’s productivity.”
“AMS’ leadership in the area of insurance automation products, combined with Microsoft technologies like Windows NT and Microsoft SQL Server
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, will provide best-of-breed solutions for independent insurance agents, brokers and banks,” said Charles Stevens, vice president of the application developers customer unit at Microsoft. “The AMS and Microsoft alliance provides high-performance workflow solutions that allow customers’ mission-critical business processes to operate more efficiently.”
AMS Services Inc. is the industry leader in insurance automation solutions. With more than 30,000 customers, AMS offers management systems (AMS Sagitta, AfW [AMS for Windows] and AMS Prime), national commercial and personal lines rating products, PS4 (Professional Survey, Submission and Sales Systems), ASC (Automated Sales Center), and IDS (Insurance Deduction Services) to independent insurance agents, brokers, banks, MGAs and companies. For more information about AMS products and services, call (800) 444-4813 or visit (http://www.ams-services.com/) .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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