Page 161 - DMGT512_FINANCIAL_INSTITUTIONS_AND_SERVICES

Financial Institutions and Services

Notes In addition, websites can offer dialog-based or even voice-based assistance for users of the site.
This is will make it much easier to service complex financial products online to both consumers
and to agents.
Finally, with the ubiquity of mobile phones and the increasing market penetration, more and
more information and communication will be channeled through these routes. To manage this
effectively, it is important to choose a content management solution that will allow these
channels to be used without the need for complex and time consuming reuse of information.

Wireless networking has lead to the market place being flooded with all sorts of new internet
appliances, mobile devices and gadgets that provide users a low-cost alternative to PCs.
Handhelds, PDAs, Smartphones, Blackberries, Tablet PCs, Notebooks/Laptops name just a few
of the options now available and manufacturers are continually trying to launch new devices in
an attempt to provide the right hybrid device that sits somewhere between the Smartphone and
the PDA. This trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Case Study Swiss Re Portal

he Swiss Re Portal is a free personalised workspace tailored to the needs of their
customers, investors, the media and other interested groups. It contains customizable
Tindustry news feeds, exclusive sigma data for download and direct access to
e-business applications.

Swiss Re Portal offers many benefits:
1. Personal and target content (you design your own personal workspace)
2. Easy access to all e-business applications

3. Insurance/reinsurance information from over 300 sources available at the fingertips

Example: "http://www.swissre.com" then click on "About Swiss Re Portal" for more
info. You will need to register to get a full appreciation of the personalisation functionality.
Technology
"http://www.plumtree.com/products/platform"

Questions
1. What do you think is the advantage of a free personalised workspace in today's
world?

2. What do you analyse as the biggest opportunity for Swiss Re Portal?
10.5 Nature of Financial Services

Consumers of this sector are often key decision makers — investors, corporate executives,
investment fund managers, or members of the public—who need time-critical support for
determining actions and strategies. Thus the financial publishing industry directly supports
homeowners in choosing a mortgage, investors in choosing stocks, and corporate executives in
providing the information they need to manage their organizations. Accuracy, legal validity,
predictability, and timely publication are also crucial in financial services.

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