Cost containment solution provider Mitchell Medical partnered with e-business automation solution developer Cardiff Software to deliver a scanning solution that will allow insurance companies to automatically convert HCFA forms from paper to electronic data.

Gallagher Bassett Services formed a strategic alliance with Kemper Insurance and UnumProvident to offer clients an integrated disability management solution. By way of the agreement, the companies will offer a comprehensive program to corporate customers looking to integrate the management of their work and non-work related disability benefits.

Fortis acquired Core, a provider of employee absence management and disability reinsurance management services to middle-market insurance carriers. Fortis agreed to acquire all of the shares of Core for approximately $45 million in the aggregate.

EPolicy.com Insurance Services signed an agreement with Hartford Financial Services Group to offer workers' comp policies, business owners' policies, commercial auto insurance, and umbrella coverage to ePolicy's clients.

ProcessClaims formed an agreement with Fix Auto Shop USA to provide claims processing technology for Fix Auto's new automobile claims program. Fix Auto is expanding into complete claims management on behalf of insurance companies for their material damage claims.

Computer Sciences Corporation and AvantGo formed a strategic alliance to extend insurance applications to mobile devices. AvantGo M-Business Server is designed for instant, anytime, anywhere access to information with any mobile device and wireless service-even outside of wireless coverage areas. Thanks to the agreement, carriers can now securely disseminate critical information to agents, third parties, and consumers via a wireless PDA or Web-enabled digital telephone.

RateXchange and Avantrust finalized an agreement in which Avantrust Passport and TradeCredit Insurance will be provided to participants on all RateXchange telecom markets. RateXchange buyers will have their credit information available to do business, and all qualified sellers will be able to arrange for trade credit insurance to cover against buyer non-payment.

Riskclick signed an agreement with Acordia to provide the software platform for a new collaborative e-business initiative. Acordia's implementation of Riskclick will begin with their Clearwater, Fla., and Atlanta offices.

GE Capital acquired the credit unit of insurer Safeco in its ongoing mission to expand its equipment financing and leasing business to medium-sized companies.

TurboCoverage, a Web-based auto insurance service for auto dealerships, formed a strategic partnership today to outsource its call center operations to direct marketer Instant Auto Insurance.

Insurance solutions provider Access CoverageCorp partnered with Selective Insurance Group to launch real-time, bindable quoting in 14 states for Selective's independent agents who are also CoverageCorp customers. The solution utilizes XML technology based on ACORD standards.

Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance and 401konnect.com (Konnect) finalized an agreement to provide access to information regarding Great-West's 401(k) products to brokers registered with Konnect using Konnect's online RFP service.

Priority Data Systems and Ex-Cel Solutions integrated Priority's PriorityRate, a Windows-based insurance rating program, and Ex-Cel Solutions's PrintExpert data and document-processing system. They hope the strategic alliance will provide an end-to-end transaction solution for the P&C industry.

Security software provider Eruces and financial and medical solution integrator DataWise formed an alliance in which DataWise will sell the Eruces Tricryption Engine with its integration services.

EHealthInsurance entered into an agreement with Countrywide Insurance Services to allow CIS to offer customers a health insurance marketplace through www.cwinsurance.com.

Techinsurance and Subcontract.com finalized an agreement for Techinsurance to provide business insurance services to Subcontract.com members.

California Casualty Management has renewed its partnership agreement with claims solution provider ProcessClaims. The new agreement is for three years.