Underwriting systems
During 2005 we incorporated a new release of our main London market underwriting system which added functionality whilst improving cycle times. Our enhanced systems and data warehouse is delivering increasing volumes of improved information on a timely basis to our underwriting and claims teams. For example, using a push technology called "narrowcast", which means that data is driven to the end user rather than being requested, underwriters and claims technicians are automatically sent exception reports rather than needing to request them. Our data warehouse remains a key strategic development for Amlin. Both technology and build have proven scaleable as the system was implemented at Amlin Bermuda late in 2005.



During 2005 we have also introduced a new system for our service companies, Amlin Transit, Haven Knox-Johnston and Amlin Plus. This replaced outdated technology with a new and more robust system which will provide the framework for any additional service company requirements and which is scalable.

Over the past two years, our UK commercial division has developed a flexible web-based system (Gen-us), designed to be the interface for a variety of insurance products and to improve the collection and provision of risk information. The Commercial Motor account will be the first area of the business to be migrated to Gen-us, and we expect that Gen-us will be interfacing with external systems using modern messaging standards in mid 2006.

Much of our overall improvement programme has been aimed around the underwriting and claims areas but in 2005 we have also designed a new expense and purchasing workflow to improve audit trails and pre authorisation of expense, which is planned for rollout into the business in the first half of 2006.

Supporting market developments
We have continued to contribute to Lloyd's initiatives throughout 2005 with representation on the Lloyd's Market Association's Market Process Committee as well as the Claims Service Review Board and the Electronic Claims File steering group. We have a general strategy to support market initiatives with time and direction, while recognising that the London market needs firms such as Amlin to take a lead and implement some of the strategic initiatives. Where these tie in with our own strategy we will be at the forefront of delivery. However we accept that not all market solutions can be driven through to finality so, where appropriate, we will work with individual brokers to achieve sustainable momentum in process change.

We were disappointed with the failure by Lloyd's to deliver the Kinnect system to enable the transfer
of structured data between market participants within a reasonable timeframe and at reasonable cost. Recognising that technology was overtaking Kinnect's proposition we have championed the adoption of an alternative approach which Lloyd's has now recognised as the most appropriate way forward. One particular market success has been the implementation and dramatic improvement in usage of the new LMP slip in 2005. We also anticipate that the market wide claims file repository which is scheduled for testing in mid-2006 will mark another significant milestone in process change. This development ties in with our own workflow solution for claims.