(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Feb.11, 2003 - PilotFish Technology, announced today that it has just released a FREE new enhanced version of its incredibly successful software, the PilotFish XMLife Communications Suite (XCS), Release 2 (XCS2.03R1). In addition to many other new features, the new release includes support for the Product Profile for Annuities (PPfA). Since its debut November 25, 2002, more than 35 companies have selected XCS to help them implement ACORD compliant applications. Among the XCS customers are insurance carriers (including 10 of the top 25), reinsurers, distributors, third party providers and integration services companies. The XCS software license can be downloaded for free directly at download.htm

The specification of the Product Profile for Annuities (PPfA) standard was the result of an annuity industry effort led by NAVA and ACORD. The objective has been to develop a common industry standard for the electronic sharing of information between business entities. The information can include application/applicant information, product descriptions, sales and marketing information. XCS simplifies implementation of the standard and makes realization of the industry objective easily attainable.

The PilotFish XMLife Communications Suite is comprised of several components:

1) The XCS Database Generator - automatically creates a complete ACORD compliant PPfA database within minutes in virtually any relational database technology including Oracle, DB2, SQL/Server and ACCESS.

2) The XCS Parser - allows the automatic parsing of incoming ACORD compliant XML transmissions and update of the PPfA database without the need to write custom interfaces. Using the parser, XMLife can be received and processed as a file, an e-mail attachment or as a post to an HTTP server.

3) The XCS Exporter - produces ACORD compliant XML output. Any data in the PPfA database can be output as an XML file, an XML attachment to an email or as an XML post to an HTTP server.

4) The XCS API for Application Developers - provides a simple, feature-rich, Java-based application programmer's interface that allows developers to access and extend the capabilities of XCS from within their own code. Developers can customize XCS for the specific needs of their business.

XCS allows the annuity industry to quickly realize all of the benefits of the Product Profile for Annuities including the implementation of and support for:
o XML Specifications
o Integration with the ACORD industry standard XML for Life Schema
o NAVA defined XML elements
o Industry defined usage samples
o Type codes

When the components of the PilotFish XMLife Communications Suite are used in combination with other rapid application development technology, companies will have everything they need to quickly establish themselves as e-Commerce trading partners within the financial services industry. Business entities including distributors, manufacturers, administrators, third party providers and reinsurers can finally all be linked together via the Internet into a seamless business process.

The PilotFish XMLife Communications Suite is offered as a free software license and can be downloaded at download.htm

About PilotFish Technology

Based in Wethersfield, CT, PilotFish Technology is an ACORD member company that provides component software, consulting services and support to the insurance industry for the development and deployment of mission critical e-commerce applications.

Contact Us

For more information on how PilotFish can help you maintain and enhance your market advantage.

PilotFish Technology, LLC
1160 Silas Deane Highway Suite 203
Wethersfield, CT 06109

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