RMIS-Web Risk & Insurance RMIS Article

"Column: RMIS - The Changing Look of RMIS"

by David P. Duden

May 1998

The ability to customize the view of data is one of the newest developments in risk management information systems (RMIS). This can make your new information system appear very different from that of another user with the same system and probably different from the system you observed during the selection process. While this unique look may initially appear to be an advantage, there can be challenges as well.

With today’s custom interfaces, a user entering data for, say, professional liability in New York may have an interface with a different look from that of the one for workers’ compensation date-entry in California. These unique views can aid in adapting the new system to a specific workflow.

Besides the jurisdictional and line-of-coverage differences, the data views can be customized for each user of that system. This feature addresses two issues during the implementation of a RMIS. Users of the new system can customize the look of the system to a view that they are accustomed to working with or perhaps even similar to what they liked about their previous system. The unique data views can improve the efficiency of the RMIS and reduce the learning curve of the new system.

Security is the more powerful reason to use the custom screens. Individual users can be locked out of changing or editing certain data fields while using the system. Users also may be prevented from observing certain fields or running reports on certain data elements. In addition to systems being secured by function, they can now be secured at the field level or even to a certain type of note entry.

For those who prefer to use their RMIS from a reporting or data output standpoint, these unique screens apply as well. The type of reports and the screens can be customized based on user identification. This is true if you are using a web-enabled report writer as well.

Several new RMIS have placed security at the database level, which means even if you are using a third-party ad hoc report writer, the security rules of the database must still be followed. As the use of Internet-enabled tools grows, the focus on security for all systems will intensify.

The major cause for concern with these changing looks of new risk management information systems is the difficulty in the selection process and in the maintenance of these unique looks. When going through the selection process, make sure to look “under the hood” as well. Many of the screen-designing programs will never be used by the end users. But the flexibility of that tool must be factored into your decision.

Another issue is in the area of maintenance. Make sure to ask your software company these questions: How can the company possibly support 400 different screens in the user community? How do they answer questions when you call for help?

Looking at the sophistication of the software company's ability to catalog each screen and maintain those custom screens during an upgrade is critical. A custom-designed RMIS is a tremendous advantage, but you have to make sure that advantage is carried over onto the next system that is implemented.

David P. Duden is the National RMIS Practice Leader for the RMISLab, an independent RMIS testing division of Deloitte & Touche LLP. in Hartford, Conn.