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Frequently
Asked Questions about Blackburn Group, Inc.
| 1. |
Q. |
What
is the name, address, phone number, fax number and
e-mail address of the individual in your organization
who will be our primary contact?
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A. |
Robert
J. Blackburn, Managing Principal, Blackburn Group,
Inc., P.O. Box 52, Penfield, NY 14526; (585)
586-4530, (585) 586-7479 fax, e-mail: rblackburn@blackburngroup.com |
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| 2. |
Q. |
How
many years has the company been developing programs for the insurance and risk management industry? |
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A. |
28 |
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| 3. |
Q. |
What
types of programs does the firm specialize in? |
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A. |
We
specialize in traditional and alternative risk
management programs in the energy, utility, real
estate, aviation, and healthcare fields. With strategic
alliance partners and distributors, we have developed numerous programs
in other industries. |
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| 4. |
Q. |
What
are the total number of employees in the firm? |
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A. |
4 |
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| 5. |
Q. |
What
are the total number of employees in Product
Development? |
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A. |
4 |
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| 6. |
Q. |
How
is Customer Support delivered? |
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A. |
We
have qualified distributors in you industry to deliver
on-call support if needed. |
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| 7. |
Q. |
What
general Training Services are available for your
technology? |
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A. |
A
training manual is included with the Basic RiskPro
application with additional training available as required.
Teleconference training is available upon request.
All training is delivered by our qualified
distributors. |
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| 8. |
Q. |
What
type of Implementation Support services are available? |
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A. |
Our
distributors risk analysts and programmers work with client
administrators to install and customize the business application to
meet the client needs. |
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| 9. |
Q. |
What
are the Service hours? |
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A. |
8:00
AM-9:00 PM Monday-Friday (EST); Emergency services are
available 24 hours per day. |
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1.
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Q. |
What
are the names of your risk management technology
platform? |
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A. |
RiskPro |
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2.
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Q. |
What
is the current release of the platform? |
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A. |
2005 |
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3.
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Q. |
What
is the date of the most current release date? |
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A. |
1/1/2005 |
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4.
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Q. |
What
are the total number of clients using the package? |
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A. |
270+ |
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5.
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Q. |
Is
the product currently in a multi-platform
configuration? |
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A. |
Yes |
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6.
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Q. |
Does
your product currently offer integration with other
products (Word, cc:Mail, etc.)? |
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A. |
Yes |
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7.
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Q. |
Are
interfaces to other packages (general ledger,
accounting, etc.) currently available, and if so which
packages? |
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A. |
Yes,
We provide application program interfaces to any
Windows based
application. |
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8.
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Q. |
Are
there existing interfaces with Accounting programs? |
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A. |
We
have created interfaces with numerous accounting
systems on a custom basis. |
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9.
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Q. |
What
is the average installation time (contract signing to
production) of the package both with and without
customization? |
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A. |
Basic
without customization: Immediate; Custom: 1-2 Months |
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10.
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Q. |
What
is the typical format and price structure of your
License Agreement? |
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A. |
User
License fees |
| 1. |
Q. |
What
Client Platform/Operating Systems are supported? |
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A. |
MS
Windows XP, 2000, NT, 98, and 95 |
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| 2. |
Q. |
What
Server Platform/Operating Systems are supported? |
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A. |
MS
Windows XP, 2000, AS400, NT, UNIX, IBM mainframe |
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| 3. |
Q. |
What
DBMS’s are supported? |
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A. |
Any
standard database (Access, SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase) |
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| 4. |
Q. |
How
does the application interface with each DBMS? |
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A. |
Direct |
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| 5. |
Q. |
How
many tiers (2-tier or N-tier) does the package
architecture support? |
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A. |
N-tier |
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| 6. |
Q. |
What
LAN protocols are supported (TCP/IP, IPX, etc.)? |
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A. |
Any
Windows supported protocols (TCP/IP, IPX, etc.) |
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| 7. |
Q. |
What
LAN networks are supported (Novell, Windows NT Server,
etc.)? |
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A. |
Any
major network operating system. |
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| 8. |
Q. |
Is
the source code proprietary? |
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A. |
Yes. |
Claim
Creation
| 1. |
Q. |
Does
the package support the processing of any type of
claim? |
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A. |
RiskPro
is a multi-line policy system defined by the user.
Custom development is available to meet the client’s
individual needs. |
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| 2. |
Q. |
Can
the components of a claim be handled under a single
claim number? |
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A. |
All
components of a claim are managed under a single claim
number. |
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| 3. |
Q. |
What
sub-categories of liability claims does the system
support? |
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A. |
There
are ten financial categories for each claim that are
user defined. Additional categories may be developed
on a custom basis. |
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| 4. |
Q. |
Does
the system provide additional features/functionality
to handle the special processing requirements of
claims? |
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A. |
Financial
category development is completed on a custom basis to
meet the client’s needs. |
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| 5. |
Q. |
Does
the system support the differentiation between an
“information only” claim, and a claim to be
actively worked? |
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A. |
Differentiation
between incidents and claims is User defined. |
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| 6. |
Q. |
Can
information common to one be shared across multiple
claim components (i.e. the accident results in the
establishment of both Physical Damage and Liability
claim components)? |
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A. |
The
system is fully integrated for all claim components. |
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| 7. |
Q. |
Does
the system allow for the capture and tracking of any
damages related to a claim? |
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A. |
The
system will capture information in the Accounting
Section related to a claim or other details (pictures,
spreadsheets, documents, etc.) in the Attachments
Section. |
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| 8. |
Q. |
How
many claims will the system support? |
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A. |
Unlimited
based upon the capacity of the chosen database. The
database is “scalable” as necessary. |
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| 9. |
Q. |
Does
the system support automatic unique claim number
assignment? |
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A. |
The
system assigns all new claim numbers. |
Data
Storage
| 10. |
Q. |
Can
the position of an Excess Carrier be recorded in the
system? |
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A. |
The
Excess Carrier’s position is maintained in the
Policies Section of the program. |
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| 11. |
Q. |
Are
statements from involved parties stored in a separate
and identifiable area of the claim? |
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A. |
Statements
may be stored in the Attachment section of the
program. |
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| 12. |
Q. |
Can
the amount of damages related to the loss of use and
diminishment of value be captured? |
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A. |
There
are ten financial categories to utilize for each
claim. If additional categories are required, they are
developed on a custom basis to meet the need of the
client. |
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| 13. |
Q. |
Does
the system allow for the establishment of potential
damage amounts, as well as the capture of actual
damage amounts? |
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A. |
For
each category of claim expense, there are reserve and
payment fields to account for current and potential
future damages. |
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| 14. |
Q. |
Is
there a specific area in the system for the capture of
information regarding litigation? |
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A. |
The
Litigation module and other relative fields throughout
the application capture litigation related data.
Additionally, custom form and/or field development is
available for any litigation-related data. |
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| 15 |
Q. |
Can
the assignment and engagement of counsel be performed
from within the system? |
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A. |
Assignment
and engagement of counsel may be completed through the
Report module in a variety of forms (i.e. Paper to be
faxed or mailed, electronic via e-mail or other
electronic output) or be completely integrated based
upon user access to the application. |
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| 16. |
Q. |
Can
the assignment and engagement of any claim vendor be
performed from within the system? |
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A. |
Assignment
and engagement of any claim vendor may be completed
through the Vendor and Report modules in a variety of
forms (i.e. Paper to be faxed or mailed, electronic
via e-mail or other electronic output) or be
completely integrated based upon user access to the
application. |
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| 17. |
Q. |
Is
final settlement information recorded in a specific
area of the claim? |
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A. |
Yes,
In the Financial Settlement section. |
Adjuster
Assignment
| 18. |
Q. |
Can
the workload of adjusters be monitored on-line, real
time? |
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A. |
Yes.
Designated users through the Claims Assignment Module
may assign claims. Through various other sections of
the claim section including Claim Notes, productivity
and workload issues may be monitored. Specific form
input fields, reports, and security may be customized
to meet the specific needs of the client. |
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| 19. |
Q. |
Does
the system allow portions of a claim to be handled by
different adjusters? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through various sections of the claim section
including Claim Financial and Notes, assignments may
be completed. Specific form input fields, reports, and
security may be customized to meet the specific needs
of the client. |
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| 20. |
Q. |
Can
the claim components be assigned to different
adjusters concurrently? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through various sections of the claim section
including Claim Financial and Notes, assignments may
be completed. Specific form input fields, reports, and
security may be customized to meet the specific needs
of the client. |
Reserves
| 21. |
Q. |
Is
the management of reserves available within the
system? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Claim Financial Incurred section. |
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| 22. |
Q. |
Are
multiple reserve types (BI, Property Damage, Medical,
etc.) supported? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Claim Financial Incurred section there are
ten user defined reserve types. |
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| 23. |
Q. |
Does
the system maintain a history of all reserve changes
and payment transactions on a claim? |
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A. |
Yes.
Each reserve change and payment transaction is
recorded in the database. |
Notes
and Diaries
| 24. |
Q. |
Does
the system provide for the creation of diaries and
notes? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Claim Notes Section. |
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| 25. |
Q. |
Can
notes/diaries be categorized? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Claim Notes Section and Ad Hoc Reporting
Module. |
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| 26. |
Q. |
Can
the viewing of notes and diaries be restricted? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through custom security development in the
Administrator Module. |
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| 27. |
Q. |
Does
the system provide the capability to restrict changes
to notes and diaries? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through custom security development in the
Administrator Module. |
Security
| 28. |
Q. |
Can
the type of claims an adjuster has access to be
restricted? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Administrator Module, any area of the
application may be restricted. We provide custom
security development based upon the individual client
needs. |
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| 29. |
Q. |
Does
the system provide “view only” access, as well as
update access to claims? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Administrator Module. Additionally, we
provide custom security development based upon the
individual client needs. |
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| 30. |
Q. |
Can
functions within the system be restricted or granted
to specific users or class of users? |
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A. |
Yes.
Security is provided through the Administrator Module |
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| 31. |
Q. |
Please
elaborate on the security functions provided by the
system. |
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A. |
Security
follows the individual client business rules utilizing
the Administrator Module. |
Financial
Transactions
| 32. |
Q. |
Can
the system generate checks on payable losses and costs
associated with a claim? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Accounting Section. |
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| 33 |
Q. |
Is
vendor information (name, address, phone, fax) stored
in tables in the system, allowing the information to
be used repeatedly without re-keying? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Maintain Vendors Section. |
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| 34. |
Q. |
Can
the system print checks related to specific claims at
multiple remote locations (not printed on a central
printer)? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Accounting Accounts Receivable Section
with security as noted above. |
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| 35. |
Q. |
Can
the system generate invoices for damages due
(deductible, etc.) for subrogation purposes? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Accounting Accounts Receivable Section
with security as noted above. |
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| 36. |
Q. |
Can
the system record and track recoveries due and
received? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Accounting Accounts Payable and Receivable
Sections with security as noted above. The transaction
details may be viewed and managed in the Claim
Financial Incurred Section. |
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| 37. |
Q. |
Does
the system support subrogation and indemnification of
liability and physical damage claims? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Accounting Accounts Payable and Accounts
Receivable Sections with security as noted above. The
transaction details may be viewed and managed in the
Claim Financial Incurred Section. Many other sections
also support the recording and tracking of subrogation
and indemnity of claims. |
Scanning
& Recording
| 38. |
Q. |
Does
the system support scanning documents and photographs? |
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A. |
Yes.
The Basic system supports all of the most popular
scanning and image management programs. Advanced
scanning and image management is developed on a custom
basis. |
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| 39. |
Q. |
Does
the system support electronic digital photographs? |
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A. |
Yes.
The Basic system supports all of the most popular
scanning and image management programs. Advanced
scanning and image management is developed on a custom
basis. |
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| 40. |
Q. |
Can
electronic audio statements be stored by the system? |
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A. |
Yes.
Electronic audio statements may be stored in the
Attachments Module. |
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| 41. |
Q. |
Is
the capture of electronic signatures currently
supported by the system? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through scanning and file management techniques. |
Interfaces
| 42. |
Q. |
What
media (electronic, print, fax, etc.) can be used to
transfer claim information to an outside source? |
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A. |
Through
the Reports Section, all output may be put in a form
that the individual user requires including electronic
for e-mail and/or fax and print for hard copy
reports/fax, etc. or be completely integrated based
upon user access to the application. |
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| 43. |
Q. |
Does
the system have a pre-built interface for requesting
and retrieving information from outside services? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Data Conversion Module. |
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| 44. |
Q. |
Does
the system interface with the services for digital
imaging and electronic estimates available from
outside vendors? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Data Conversion Module or Attachments
Module. Any systems vendors may be managed by the
system. |
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| 45. |
Q. |
Can
the package provide access to databases outside the
system, and integrate that information with the
system? |
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A. |
Through
the Data Conversion Module and data mapping if
required. Any part of the program may be completely
integrated based upon user access to the application. |
Form
Letters
| 46. |
Q. |
Can
custom form letters and forms be generated by the
system? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Reports Section, all output may be
individualized to meet the individual user
requirements. |
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| 47. |
Q. |
Can
letters and forms be both printed and faxed? |
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A. |
Yes.
Through the Reports Section, all output may be put in
a form that the individual user requires including
print, EDI, e-mail, and/or fax. |
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| 48. |
Q. |
Can
the printing of form letters be triggered by events
(completion of a field, specific value in a field,
presence of a date, etc.)? |
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A. |
Yes.
Any unique output requirements are developed on a
custom basis. |
Customization
| 49. |
Q. |
Can
the system be customized? |
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A. |
Yes.
Any part of the system may be customized as required
by the client. |
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| 50. |
Q. |
In
what general areas can the system be customized
(screens, tables, database, batch jobs, etc.)? |
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A. |
Any
part of the system may be customized as required by
the client. |
Reporting
| 51. |
Q. |
Can
ad-hoc queries/reports be created without the use of
an external report tool? |
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A. |
Yes.
RiskPro
Ad
Hoc Report Module is completely integrated with the
system. |
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| 52. |
Q. |
Is
a “standard” set of reports available? |
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A. |
Yes.
RiskPro
Report
Section contains several standard report forms and
capabilities, which are completely integrated with the
system. |
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| 53. |
Q. |
Does
the system provide Fraud Detection capabilities? |
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A. |
Yes.
Fraud Detection capabilities are developed based upon
the individual client needs. |
Currency/Language
– Miscellaneous
| 54. |
Q. |
Does
the system support multiple currencies? |
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A. |
Yes.
Any monetary currency is supported by the system. |
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| 55. |
Q. |
Does
the system support multiple languages? |
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A. |
Yes.
All major languages are supported on a customized
basis. |
Blackburn Group,
Inc.
Penfield, NY 14526-0052
(585) 586-4530, (585) 586-7479 fax, Email: sales@blackburngroup.com
RiskPro
is
a registered trademark of Blackburn Group, Inc.
Copyright
2006 Blackburn Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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