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Origo streamlines provider extranet registration processes(InsuranceNewslink.com Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Origo has today announced details of an initiative to streamline provider extranet registration processes called KISS-Keep It Short and Simple. This new approach is available to providers using UNIPASS and will improve sign-up to eservices by shortening and simplifying them, making life that bit easier for intermediaries. Inconsistencies in online registration processes, including having to re-key authentication data across different websites, are a common frustration among financial intermediaries. This is why Origo has been working through The UNIPASS User Group (TUUG) to ensure a simple and consistent approach is embraced by all. The User Group is working on finalising the details of a kitemark scheme so that it is easy for intermediaries to tell which sites offer the simplest and quickest registration. However, providers have been quick to agree that this is an area which could bring benefits to their intermediary customers, and a number of incremental steps have been taken already by several providers to help increase usability. The latest provider to launch an improved process is Friends Provident. "We have been working closely with Origo over the past few months to implement a new sign-up process that would best suit our users and we are delighted with the results," commented Dave Mace, head of ebusiness for Friends Provident. "The role Origo plays in championing the needs of the intermediary is vital for driving beneficial change. This is a huge step forward for us from our previous registration set-up and we are sure that our users will find it of great benefit. We expect we'll meet most of the requirements of the kitemark scheme, but once it's finalised, we'll take another look at the criteria and the feedback from our users to see if there are other improvements we can make." Registration using UNIPASS is fundamental to a quicker and more secure sign-up process to eservices as it removes the headaches and security issues of using multiple usernames and passwords. The principle behind KISS is that advisers using UNIPASS should not have to re-key any of their identity data that is already available from their UNIPASS digital certificate. KISS also specifies that if any additional information is required by the provider it should be limited to three items. The other KISS guidelines are also geared to making things easier for intermediaries and include such things as registration being paper-free, and access to client information being immediate. Paul Pettitt, managing director of Origo, commented "TUUG members have been very supportive of our KISS initiative so that providers can make things better for intermediaries using their extranets. As an industry we have embraced ecommerce but to continue to reap the benefits and to increase take-up of eservices, we need to make sure that unnecessary and complex set-up procedures for using these services are removed." This article is supplied by Insurance Newslink (www.insurancenewslink.com). Copyright 2006 Shillito Market Intelligence |