Hybrid Mobile Application with Geocoding

Challenge

A catastrophe is unpredictable in that when and how it occurs, as well as the extent of damage involved, is unknown until it happens. By virtue of this unpredictability, specialized insurance providers who cover such catastrophes are particularly focused on ensuring that their process management is top-notch to minimize risk. Although traditionally the industry has been predominantly paper-driven, in recent past it has been embracing automation and digitalization to garner more efficiencies.

Our client, a Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance company in the US, provides commercial and residential insurance coverage across the country. It has thousands of inspectors in the field who examine the affected properties and tediously record their findings on paper. Additionally, they rely on an inaccurate method to mark the actual coordinates of the damaged location. The client engaged Mindteck to develop a more efficient and effective way for these field inspectors to process precise details about the damaged properties.

Scope

The scope of this engagement encompassed the development of a hybrid mobile application based on HTML 5, CSS and iQuery, as well as overall project management.

Solution

Mindteck developed a mobile application with geocoding and live, interactive map features. Field inspectors enter details of the affected properties on digital forms using iPhones, iPads and Android tablets. PhoneGap is used to bridge the native application to the devices, and web services are used to fetch and store data.

Outcome

• More efficient process management — saving both time and cost, and providing actuaries with more comprehensive, visualized data,

• Field inspectors are no longer burdened with tedious paperwork,

• Location coordinates are now captured accurately, providing visibility to coverage ramifications.