Datamax Technologies Enables New York State Insurance Department to Fully Automate Consumer Complaint Process.

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1999--

Datamax Technologies Thursday announced that the New York State Insurance Department's innovative online computer system, based on its VisiFLOW integrated document management solution, is on schedule to track and manage 70,000 consumer complaints this year, a 350 percent increase in the last 15 years.

According to Neil D. Levin, New York State Superintendent of Insurance, the new Consumer's Information and Imaging Management System (CIIMS) fully automates the complaint processing and workflow of the Department's Consumer Services Bureau while providing a more efficient document processing, routing, and storage system than the previous manual system.

"We will continue to take advantage of advances in technology so that similar workflow management systems can be implemented in other Department Bureaus as well to increase our efficiency and responsiveness throughout the organization," Levin said.

With CIIMS, documents flow electronically from one workstation to another reducing the possibility of lost or misplaced documents and files. The imaging system saves money in terms of file storage space, photocopying and postage. Documents are imaged at the time of receipt, stored electronically and can then be retrieved at the push of a button from any office in the state.

In addition to the workflow automation and document management features of the CIIMS system, there is a full client-server complaint tracking application that manages all data information for insurance companies and citizen complainants as well. This system tracks all complaints from consumers, produces automatic letters and response letters on schedule and manages the time lines involved in insurance company responses.

Other documented benefits include:

-- Improved load balancing between multiple offices

-- Improved telephone service

-- Elimination of duplicate cases

-- Improved supervisory review processes

-- Reduced trips and interaction between offices

-- Certain tasks shifted from examiners to clerical staff

-- Re-allocation of staff to prevent layoffs

-- More professional resolution of cases

-- Ability to handle increased volumes without additional staffing

-- Faster case resolution

-- Better customer service to both the consumer and the industry

-- Accurate reporting

Ultimately, CIIMS will enable the department to electronically transmit complaints to insurers so that complaints and other documents will no longer need to be mailed to licensees.

VisiFLOW is targeted primarily at insurance, banking, government and law enforcement entities, which traditionally benefit from automating their business processes to maximize savings per transaction. Unlike conventional EDM Systems, VisiFLOW is a fully distributed client/server application, capable of supporting an unlimited number of workstations and scalable from small workgroups to thousands of users in enterprise-wide environments. In addition to the investigation of over 60,000 complaints last year from consumers and providers, the bureau responded to approximately 500,000 telephone inquiries for information. The bureau provides assistance to consumers who are having a problem obtaining satisfaction from their insurance company or agent or broker as well as provides general insurance information.

About New York State Insurance Department

The Insurance Department is responsible for supervising and regulating all insurance business in New York State. The department regulates more than 1,000 insurance companies that conduct business in New York, with combined assets totaling over 2 trillion dollars.

The Consumer Services Bureau is responsible for providing services to the consumer and responding to and managing consumer complaints. The department offers consumer-shopping guides to insurance including automobile insurance, life insurance, homeowners and health insurance. The department's Web site also contains health insurance and automobile insurance resource centers that contain premium rate comparisons, complaint rankings of insurers, summaries of important laws, and other invaluable information. The Department's Web site can be found at http://www.ins.state.ny.us/.

About Datamax Technologies

With headquarters in Culver City, Datamax Technologies is a privately held provider of workflow, electronic document management (EDM), COLD and forms recognition software. Founded in 1993, the company has evolved into a national leader in transaction-based, high volume production systems. Major clients include Lockheed Martin, Clorox, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino Police Department and Scottsdale Insurance, among others.

Further information on VisiFLOW can be obtained by calling Datamax at 310/645-4199, faxing 310/645-4197, e-mailing [e-mail] or visiting the Datamax Technologies Web site at www.dtmx.com.