Whatever else the tersely worded press release announcing the winding down of the Cdn$12-million CSIO Portal signaled last December, it surely laid to rest a few hoary myths about technology and the elusive single-entry, multi-company interface (SEMCI) solution for the broker distribution channel. The first myth is the concept of community "ownership" of an industry solution for all companies and brokers. The second myth is that insurance companies do not, and perhaps should not, compete with each other on back-office technological efficiency and processes. Of course, they do - and should. The third myth is that the creation of a true industry-wide SEMCI should follow the model of, say, the banking community in its adoption of centralized cheque-clearing facilities or Interac standards. Those involved in the Portal argue that there were significant byproducts of the process that are clearly helping brokers in today's marketplace. Others say it is time to give up the dream of an industry solution once and for all.

Technology standards