Align360 Supports UCCIB in Selecting New Insurance Processing Solution; Consulting Firm Retained to Assist in Implementation and Provide Further Services.

Business Editors

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2003

Align360, an operating unit of Appix, Inc., today announced that it has assisted the United Church of Christ Insurance Board (UCCIB) in completing the selection of a new insurance processing solution. UCCIB recently launched an initiative to replace its existing insurance processing system with an integrated software solution that has functionality for underwriting, policy issuance and administration, billing, claims, and customer service.

A national risk management provider to United Church of Christ and Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), UCCIB is a property and liability insurance firm created by and for churches. The organization strives to keep a close relationship with its congregations through the use of technology as one tool to enhance its communications.

Leveraging their in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry and leading software products, Align360's professionals managed the numerous aspects of UCCIB's system procurement process. This included identifying user and technical requirements at UCCIB, liaising with vendors and soliciting RFPs, organizing product demonstrations, communicating with UCCIB's Board of Directors, and facilitating third party contract negotiations.

UCCIB faced several challenges in its quest for a new insurance processing system. As a not-for-profit organization, UCCIB was price-sensitive and needed to stay within budget while continuing to provide high-quality service. Further, moving from a legacy application to a fully integrated solution, along with the number of potential systems available, made the selection somewhat daunting.

With a comprehensive understanding of UCCIB's unique business requirements, Align360 was successful in helping to identify the ideal software application to fulfill their needs. By facilitating the entire process and applying their many years of experience with system selection, Align360 helped UCCIB choose the ideal system from eight possible vendor solutions.

The selected system will allow UCCIB to fully integrate all facets of policy processing, as well as accommodate for future growth. The system chosen by UCCIB is scalable, flexible, and has additional options that may be implemented in the future, including an Internet module that will allow agents to quote prospects via the Web.

"We realized that procuring a new insurance processing system would be a major undertaking. In order to ensure the selection of the ideal solution, we chose Align360 over other potential consultants to support us throughout the entire process," said Timothy S. White, President & CEO of UCCIB.

"By partnering with our organization and focusing on our specific needs, Align360 delivered the professional services we required to make the right decision. We were pleased that the system selection process was managed effectively through their efforts, and we have since contracted Align360 to help implement our new software system, specifically providing project management, line of business development, and testing services. Align360 is also assisting us with the selection of new accounting, imaging, and contact management systems."

Michael Mendelson, Vice President of Align360, commented, "Align360 is pleased to have supported UCCIB during its system selection process and to be providing further implementation services. It is imperative in today's challenging economy that when making software decisions, insurers team up with a highly skilled firm that possesses intimate knowledge of the insurance software market in order to ensure their selection will be the best investment of time and budget."

"Align360 is proud to have applied our value-added approach to UCCIB's system selection process. We are looking forward to continuing this relationship and to supporting UCCIB with its ongoing technology and business needs," concluded Mendelson.

UCCIB will begin implementing its new insurance processing solution this month, with Align360 working to support the installation. UCCIB anticipates that the implementation will be completed in the second quarter of 2004.

About UCCIB

The United Church of Christ Insurance Board (UCCIB) is a growing and vibrant church insurance program offering property and liability coverages to well over 4,200 United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) organizations. UCCIB's covenant to protect its churches means they write all eligible churches nationally, including inner-city churches, unprotected rural churches, historical and mission churches, and churches in other high risk areas or categories. UCCIB is proud of having a program that provides the most comprehensive and exceptional coverages available in the marketplace.

In 2002, UCCIB formed the United Church Insurance Company (UCIC), a not-for-profit captive insurance company subsidiary, designed to take advantage of new opportunities in church insurance. UCCIB's experienced and creative management team strives to take the organization to new horizons. To learn more about UCCIB, visit www.insuranceboard.org

About Align360

Align360, an operating unit of Appix, Inc., provides management and technology consulting services in the insurance and banking industries. Our consultants have extensive property and casualty insurance experience and understand how technology is best utilized to support business strategies. This industry insight enables Align360 to provide best-in-class services including project management, vendor selection, package implementation, legacy integration, and process re-engineering. Additionally, Align360's banking practice designs and implements best-in-class back office solutions in the areas of credit card processing, consumer lending and treasury management with particular expertise deploying rules-based transaction engines.

Since 1992, Align360 has worked with leading financial services organizations throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean to align their strategy, processes and technology to accelerate business results. Clients include more than 50 leading property and casualty insurers, five of the ten largest US credit card issuers and major money center banks.

Named by Ernst & Young as a 2002 Entrepreneur of the Year, Align360 is now part of Appix, Inc. Align360 employs professionals in three North American office locations including Richmond, VA; Atlanta, GA and Columbia, SC.

More information about Align360 is available at www.align360.com.

About Appix

Appix, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Technology Systems, Inc. (ATS), provides customized technology services and solutions to the financial services industry. Founded in 1994, Appix delivers significant value to clients through a solutions-centered approach to consulting, technology, and IT staffing services. Appix provides fixed income trading solutions through our Financial Services Framework (FSF), a customizable, extensible, high-performance platform for development of mission-critical financial systems. The FSF enables Appix to provide customized front, middle and back office solutions for financial institutions including banks, broker/dealers, originators, and buy side participants. For more information about Appix Solutions, visit http://www.appix.com.