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Press release:

Ref: OGI0261
6th May 2011

Deeside to Reap Benefits from 5 Year Partnership Deal

Deeside Insurance Brokers Limited has signed a new five year deal with leading software house Open GI to provide an extended online presence and increase efficiency levels.

Specialising in Motor, Van, Bike and Home insurance, Deeside Insurance Brokers have been trading as an independent broker since 1959.  Deeside wanted to revamp and expand their personal lines online presence via Open GI’s fully-hosted eBroker offering in parallel with their eAggregator solution, enabling Deeside to integrate with the top price comparison sites seamlessly.

Further, Deeside’s strategy is to expand in to offering simple commercial insurance online with help from Open GI.  Built around the power of Open GI’s market leading SME platform, Open Trader, the fully integrated online solution will enable Deeside Insurance Brokers to deliver real time quotes to commercial clients via their website with full integration to their Open GI back office platform.

Deeside are also set to benefit from a number of efficiency enhancements with Open GI’s office productivity solutions, such as SMS Text Messaging and Sanctions Checking. The Sanctions Checking Module will allow Deeside to screen clients against Her Majesty’s Treasury UK and NI sanctions list automatically at the point of sale - a vital process to avoid litigation associated with the sale of insurance to sanctioned organisations and individuals such as those guilty of terrorism.

Shane Williams, Managing Director, Deeside Insurance Brokers Limited, said: “We chose Open GI ultimately because of their robust systems, their strong vision and the steps they are taking within the industry.  We have been a partner with Open GI for nearly 20 years and we greatly value our long standing relationship.

Enhancing our IT platform with Open GI’s latest solutions will provide maximum efficiency and greater stability. This will ultimately help us in attracting new business partners in the future and it will effectively enable our business to further expand into the world of transacting insurance online.

Our technical staff rated the usability and functionality of the Open GI system extremely highly. Add to this the commercial strength of the contract and the fact that Open GI clearly offer the best value – a view echoed by many of my colleagues in the broker market. Our partnership gives me total confidence in the future.

Simon Hughes, Sales and Marketing Director, Open GI, said: “Deeside is a highly ambitious, technology driven company. It’s vital they have the appropriate functionality in place to support future growth. I am pleased to see that they recognise the importance for continual investment in technology and the positive impact Open GI solutions are having on their business, particularly in the e-commerce / SME arena.”

For More Information about Open GI:
Adele Clarkson
Marketing and PR Manager
Open GI
Tel: 01905 754455
email: adele.clarkson@opengi.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Open GI supplies market leading IT solutions to insurance brokers across the UK & Ireland. With 20,000 users in around 2,000 firms, the company has a 40% share of the UK broker market and is committed to technological innovation. Open GI technology enables personal and commercial lines brokers trading in standard and niche markets to streamline business activity and become more profitable. With a workforce of 300 people and a 30-year heritage, the company enjoys a strong financial performance. For the year ended 31st May 2009 Open GI reported revenues of £32.0 million and an operating profit of £17.9 million.