LONDON, September 23 /PRNewswire/ -- FIS Software, a leading global provider of package-based software solutions for life and pensions companies, is delighted to announce the successful integration of Bright Grey's ground breaking new expert underwriting capability into ALIS.

Against a background of increasing pressure on price and profit margins many financial services products are now delivered through the internet. The traditional underwriting processes, which can take weeks to provide customers with protection cover, can prove insufficient to meet the demands of a rapid, responsive business model. To circumvent the bottleneck and allow IFAs to take a greater level of control in their own underwriting Bright Grey developed advanced expert underwriting capabilities which FIS has integrated into ALIS.

Rather than taking one of the specialist systems supplied by reinsurers Bright Grey decided its needs would be better served with its own bespoke system. Bright Grey developed a new system that allows intermediaries to submit applications online in a more intuitive way than ever before. FIS integrated the new expert underwriting capabilities within ALIS as part of Bright Grey's whole new infrastructure. The new system also improves pass rates so that more customers get cover more quickly. This new system makes Bright Grey the first financial services company in the UK running its own 'expert underwriting' system.

The new user-friendly system is powered by an extensive database of more than 20,000 illnesses, risks, hazardous pursuits, synonyms and misspellings. With context sensitive additional questions triggered automatically the in-built rules engine drives the system to generate immediate decisions. The system also maintains detailed internal statistics on performance that allow 'fine tuning' to give even more comprehensive decisions.

The system is already exceeding the targets set out in the business case by reducing servicing and underwriting costs significantly ahead of expectations. The high pass rates also mean reduced evidence costs, reduced workload and a higher proportion of applications ending up in a successful sale.

Overall, the new technology has improved efficiency by automating existing manual business processes.

Bright Grey's Neil Cameron said "We now have a versatile platform, which will allow us to develop and strengthen our proposition through initiatives such as a telephone-based application service."

Commenting on the reaction of the intermediaries he added, "The take up rate on the new service has been excellent. It means that the system is now the preferred path to purchase for all Bright Grey business."

Shay Alon, CEO of FIS said "We are delighted with the new functionality we have developed on ALIS in conjunction with Bright Grey. By transferring power to the IFA, business is speeded up, the customer gets better service, costs are cut and everybody gets a better experience."

FIS Software is dedicated to developing and delivering packaged-based global insurance solutions that enable life insurance, pensions and investment companies to run their businesses more efficiently, and respond to territorial legislation and regulations.

Our software solutions are based on ALIS, a single packaged, parameter-driven platform which manages the entire policy lifecycle of all life insurance, pensions and investment products, throughout the global insurance market.

For further information visit http://www.fis-software.com

Royal London Group, is a specialist financial service provider. Its businesses focus on those sectors of the market which value premium propositions, operating through a number of brands:

- Scottish Life - UK pensions market - Bright Grey - UK protection market - Scottish Life International - offshore investment markets - RLAM - fund management - RLAS - life and pensions administration - Fundsdirect / Ascentric - funds supermarket; Wrap Platform

Royal London is one of the stronger life and pension companies in the UK, and has a strong track record for with-profits performance.

Royal London is the largest mutual life and pensions company in the UK with Group funds under management of GBP33.1 billion. Group businesses serve around three million customers and employ 2,620 people (figures quoted are as at 31 December 2007).

Contact details for FIS: Graham Newman Global Marketing Director +44(0)7816-857279 gnewman@fis-software.com Contact details for Bright Grey: neil.cameron@brightgrey.com tel: +44(0)131-247-1677

Contact details for FIS: Graham Newman, Global Marketing Director, +44(0)7816-857279, gnewman@fis-software.com; Contact details for Bright Grey: neil.cameron@brightgrey.com, tel: +44(0)131-247-1677