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New web services development platform to be introduced at Aviva UK

Aviva UK is beginning to migrate its bespoke legacy applications onto a new standards-based IBM centric virtualisation platform. The move will help reduce new product development times for the Aviva Business IT unit from an average of six months, down to as little as seven days. Testing and preparation work is already underway with project partner Pirean, with full implementation scheduled for Q1 next year

The Pirean solution relies upon installing IBM virtualisation technologies at Aviva UK to improve the delivery of new services and products. Pirean, an IBM triple-A rated reseller, will be installing IBM’s Tivoli access manager, identity manager, and application dependency discovery manager, plus other complimentary software, to help Aviva create the desired flexible and easily manageable product development framework. It will allow the insurer’s Business IT unit to use standardised templates for new applications within the safety of a unified and centrally overseen access and security model. Future capacity, reliability and protection requirements will all be met by the scheme, claim Aviva. 

“Our work with Pirean is helping us deliver a new focus on web service that enables us to better interact with our partners and customers in an environment where security and speed to market are absolutely paramount,” comments Ian Chapple, Director of IT strategy & architecture for Aviva UK. “Pirean has a strong technical understanding of our environment and a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions. The detailed design work they have carried out so far gives us a clear indication of the benefits of the new system backed by a carefully phased implementation strategy to ensure constant availability of our critical applications during the process.”

One of the major benefits of the solution will be a new consultant’s portal for Aviva UK’s 25,000 brokers and financial advisors, improving the distribution capabilities of the firm. The new architecture will also underpin services for helping larger corporations better manage employee entitlements and coverage, via the web, an important consideration in the pension and workforce insurance environment.

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