(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Oct. 28, 2003 SBLI has successfully implemented electronic data exchange between internal administration systems, DTCC, and several paramed providers. By implementing the XCS Enterprise Integration Platform, SBLI expects significant improvements in operational efficiency and customer service. As third party systems roll out support for the ACORD XMLife standard, SBLI will be ready for them.

According to Steve Wellmann, AVP, SBLI, "Most systems, both internal and external, are not yet ACORD compliant and rely on proprietary formats. Writing direct interfaces between each of the systems is extraordinarily complex and a nightmare to maintain. If you have six systems talking to six other systems, there are thirty-six interfaces to deal with. Implementing the XCS Enterprise Integration platform and using an ACORD compliant enterprise model as a common translation hub allows the number of interfaces to be reduced dramatically. You are now interfacing six proprietary formats to one standard and one standard to six proprietary formats".

The platform was implemented using PilotFish Technology's XMLife Communication Suite™ (XCS) toolset. (You can download XCS for FREE at http://pilotfishtechnology.com/download.htm ).

Rick Heil, Program Manager, Life Standards, for ACORD remarked, "PilotFish is proving that the vision of efficiencies and savings we have all been working hard for are achievable today, and their rapid implementation of improvements and enhancements points the way to even greater successes in the future.The industry adoption of the ACORD Insurance Standards is rapidly gaining a foothold, helped significantly by middleware software brokers who can help forge the link between an organization's disparate internal systems (an internal information service hub) as well as provide the rapid connectivity required with the ever changing and ever growing network of trading partners everyone must deal with. PilotFish's technologies enable organizations to rapidly connect all their systems - internal and external - via a common industry developed, maintained and enhanced data model partnered with a robust integration platform providing the tools and connectivity components necessary to achieve rapid implementation".

The XCS toolset has several components that dramatically reduce the time, cost and risk of implementation.
The XCS Database Generator is used to create an ACORD XMLife compliant database. Any XML standard (as defined by an XSD) can be used to generate a database in any of the popular relational database technologies including Oracle, DB2, SQL/Server, and ACCESS.
The XCS Data Mapper, a graphical tool, is used to transform proprietary data formats to and from ACORD compliant XML facilitating the integration of internal and external proprietary application systems.
The XCS Parser is used to read and parse the ACORD compliant XML to update transactional, data warehouse and enterprise databases.
The XCS Exporter is used to export ACORD compliant XML from the standards compliant databases.
The XCS API (Application Programmer's Interface), a set of Java classes allows developers to quickly write custom applications, define custom authentication methods for incoming XML transactions, and write custom data/transaction handlers.
The XCS Router, an advanced event routing schema is customized to the specific needs of the client.
The XCS Database Upgrader enables ongoing upgrades to the ACORD schema to accommodate new fields and tables without requiring a data conversion. This supports the evolving customer specific extensions to the ACORD model.

About SBLI

SBLI is the leading writer of ordinary life insurance in Massachusetts, with nearly $30 billion of insurance in force. Conceived by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis and established in 1907, Savings Bank Life Insurance is available through nearly 200 financial institutions in New England; from Plymouth Rock property and casualty agents and certified public accountants in Massachusetts; from AAA offices in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and directly by telephone to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania consumers. In addition, SBLI offers its products to New Jersey residents through members of the New Jersey League of Community & Savings Bankers.

About PilotFish Technology

Based in Wethersfield, CT, PilotFish Technology is an ACORD member company that provides comprehensive tools, consulting and integration services to the financial services industry for the integration of mission critical e-commerce applications. More than 100 companies have licensed the XMLife Communications Suite from PilotFish since its release November 2002.

Contact us:
PilotFish Technology
1160 Silas Deane Highway Suite 203
Wethersfield, CT 06109
860-257-0523
www.pilotfishtechnology.com

About ACORD

ACORD is a nonprofit insurance association whose mission is to facilitate the development and use of standards for the insurance and related financial services industries. ACORD accomplishes its mission by remaining an objective, independent advocate for sharing information among diverse platforms.