MSB Regional Client Roadshow Helps Carriers Profit from Analytics

NEW BERLIN, Wis., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- MSB, the leading worldwide provider of building cost data and estimating technology to the property insurance industry, recently completed a four-city Regional Client Road Show.  The theme of the event was, "Knowledge is Power," and the goal was to show MSB carrier partners how to use predictive modeling and analytics, in combination with accurate replacement cost estimating and property data, to achieve their financial goals.

"In today's economic climate, our clients in the property business are experiencing very little growth. The best way to gain a competitive advantage is to squeeze profit out of any existing area of business – and that takes actionable data," explained Karen Linnell, AVP of Analytics Product Marketing for MSB. "We felt it was important to bring our product experts to our customers in a live forum to not only introduce to our new predictive modeling and analytic tools, but show how to apply these to gain the fastest results."

The MSB Regional Client Road Show went from February 17, 2010 through March 4, 2010, with stops in Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida; Columbus, Ohio, and Orange County, California. Each one-day event, held at a local hotel, followed a jam-packed agenda that included book of business data analysis, tools for profitability and pricing information, predictive analytics and the new fundamentals of construction.  More than 59 people representing 27 top carriers were in attendance.

"We focused on the tools that would help carriers find untapped profit opportunities in the shortest amount of time – many times in as little as 90 days," Linnell said.  "For example, MSB's Portal Analysis Tool enables companies to identify premium leakage, uncover data quality concerns and measure agency profitability. Basically, it enables carriers to see the realities of their books of business so they can take corrective action."

Attendees also learned how MSB's Profitability and Pricing Segmentation tools enable carriers to identify their best and worst performing segments, and implement a remedial solution for the latter.  One of the most popular segments focused on predictive analytics, including a discussion of tools that enable companies to use detailed property characteristics to improve pricing segmentation and profitability; as well as the Homeowners Inspection Optimization offering, which uses predictive modeling to increase the value of property inspections.

"Predictive modeling not only gives carriers a view into the future, but the ability to change the outcome.  MSB's business solutions combine predictive analytics with the largest and most accurate data warehouse of third-party property characteristics in the industry," Linnell said. "The real key is adding the expertise to do data mapping – to translate data into real-world, actionable information. That's what enables our customers to find the profits and gain the advantage."

The response from all Road Show attendees was extremely positive. "In today's world, focusing on traditional new business acquisition is not enough. Based on the discussions at the events and the feedback we received after, our customers appreciated the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of MSB's new analytics solutions and data services – and do it in their own backyards," Linnell said.

About MSB

MSB, also known as Marshall & Swift / Boeckh, is an MDA company and the leading supplier of local building cost information, residential and commercial property valuation technology and services for the property and casualty insurance sector of the United States and Canada.  MSB has five offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

About MDA

MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, product essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide.

Focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, MDA delivers a broad spectrum of information solutions, ranging from complex operational systems, to tailored information services, to electronic information products.

The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TSX:MDA.

SOURCE MSB