Helvetia
Stories from synvert customers
Our success with...
Helvetia
"synvert (previously saracus) consulting has been an important partner in the Helvetia data warehouse and integration platform environment for over 2 years. Different roles are fulfilled: the synvert consulting has been involved in future-oriented projects such as DANTE, DANTE II and DANECO. During this time, the cooperation has evolved from a DWH development partner to a conceptual partner for the realignment of Helvetia's integration platform. In the IFRS17 project, synvert consulting is responsible for the implementation of the connections of all peripheral systems to the central data platform and the SAP target system. synvert consulting takes over the entire responsibility regarding planning, conception and realization of all implementation activities."
Helvetia - Enterprise-wide data integration.
Helvetia is a prominent player in the Swiss multi-line insurance market, currently holding a strong third position. Its product offerings include life and non-life insurance, as well as group life insurance. In addition, Helvetia specialises in niche markets such as engineering, transport, art, and active reinsurance. The company has a global presence, operating in Switzerland, Europe, Asia, and North, Central, and South America. For over a decade, Helvetia had been using a data warehouse for local analysis requirements in Switzerland, but decided to embark on a comprehensive modernisation, centralising data integration and creating an organisational unit responsible for providing data to all operating systems.
The DANECO project was initially designed to introduce a modernised data warehouse for Helvetia. As part of the project, different source systems were integrated into a Global Staging Area using IBM Information Server as a new integration platform. The outdated ETI tool was replaced first, followed by the SASDI Studio. However, during the course of the project, Helvetia's strategic focus shifted, and the new data warehouse for Switzerland was transformed into a global data integration interface for all countries. The project team's main focus was on the staging area and different processing methods. Following this strategic change, a new team was established to ensure the following:
- Integration of all source systems in all countries in which Helvetia operates.
- Traceability of data loading and storage.
- Generic source system connections and scalability.
- Availability of different data providers with different data views (analytical, operational, and individual).
- On transitioning to IFRS17, all countries should furnish the required data for SAP FPS and actuarial systems through the new integration layer. This layer will serve as the primary data reader for monthly, quarterly, and annual accounts.
- The BDM (Business Data Model) initiative will establish an enterprise-wide model that can be used as a template for the analytical data provider.
- Future integration into global staging areas will be executed with InfoSphere CDD (Collaborative Data Design), which can facilitate real-time integration.
- The ECM (Enterprise Content Management) project aims to enable a real-time link between source systems and DMS (Document Management Systems).
To integrate with the staging area, a universal approach employing IBM DataStage and DWautomatic will be adopted. IBM DataStage will serve as the ETL tool, and additional higher-level universal or partially universal processes may be created depending on feasibility and advantages. Ultimately, all ETL tools (ETI, SASDI, SSIS) will be replaced with IBM DataStage.
- The developed architecture serves as a template for Helvetia's overall architecture for data integration.
- This generic approach can minimise development efforts when connecting new systems.
- The implementation of the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) project will further enhance the overall concept and its usability.
- The creation of an enterprise-wide business data model will unify future developments for the analytical area.
- The establishment of the data provider service team will represent a significant advance in integrating source systems across the company.
- Overall design of the data integration layer.
- Analysis and implementation of new ETL processes for the replacement of ETI.
- Design and implementation of ETL and CDD tasks for the IFRS project.
- Design and implementation of CDD and IIB (IBM Integration Bus) tasks for the ECM project.
- Collaboration in increasing the effectiveness of the Business Data Model, and maintaining the operation of the old DWH.
- Collaboration with the DWH team in the Sales area.
The overall architecture was successfully planned in such a way as to allow Helvetia to set up a team solely responsible for data integration, able to operate independently of the DWH team. Thanks to our generic approach, the integration of new source systems is smooth and fast.
