The company has indicated the ideal participant for the pilot project is a public entity or intergovernmental risk pool that wants to collect and code its data using the PRDP standardized coding tables for collection of data in a common format.

The testing entity should have auto claims. However, the company has indicated that no minimum volume of claims is necessary to participate.

"If someone only gets a couple of claims a month, that's fine," said Claims On Line chief executive officer Linda Lamel. "I want ? [the public entity or pool] to have somebody use it, enter a claim more than once just so you can tell us it works, it doesn't work, here's what we need to change," she continued.

As explained by Ms. Lamel, PECS is an end-to-end (meaning, from the beginning of a claim to its adjudication) virtual claim-file system in which all processing of a claim, all data entry and all communication is performed on the Web.

"The claim is entered through any browser," Ms. Lamel said. The user goes to a Web site, which could be PRDP's, Claims On Line's or the user's. After logging in the user can create a notice of loss and enter the necessary information, she explained.

Additional data such as the full accident report, the police report and doctors' notes are accumulated as part of the file, she said.

"Depending on what the user has available, the documents can either be attached as emails, scanned in, or they can be put in digitally," Ms. Lamel added. Digital photographs of the damage also can be uploaded into the computer and made part of the claim file.

Because the file is on a Web site, any number of people can look at the same file at the same time, and "it will be the same information so you can't get version differences," Ms. Lamel noted. Updates of any document are easily entered, and the file will indicate that prior versions exist, she said.

Ms. Lamel noted, "The faster you can resolve a claim the less it's going to cost and the more satisfied the individual is going to be."

Additionally, because the claim is processed through a Web-based application, all the data appears in data fields. This allows a public entity to cull information from several files to generate reports on, for example, how many accidents it has had on a particular street, Ms. Lamel pointed out.

"When you look at your claims on an aggregate basis, you can also start making decisions about what is cost-effective by way of loss prevention or loss control," she observed.

PECS incorporates the PRDP Liability Claims Data Standard-- essentially standardized coding tables-- including the "cause of loss" codes unique to PRDP.

PRDP is a nonprofit organization based in Columbia, Md. that compiles and distributes information about liability claims and exposure from state and local governments and risk pools.

Claims On Line said it expects the pilot test period to begin as soon as agreed upon by the users and to end after four weeks.

The company stated that it takes only a few hours to learn to use the necessary tools and that data entry is not time-consuming.

After the four-week period, Claims On Line will collect a two-page test document from each participant by e-mail. The company will then follow up with the users to discuss specific needs and concerns.

Claims On Line said that it will thank the PECS Pilot Test participants with a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

PRDP announced its involvement in the PECS project last year.

PECS, based on the existing Claims On Line Reporting System, is described as "an integrated query, sorting and reporting system for claims" that provides risk professionals quick and efficient access to transaction and exposure data.

PECS also is supposed to serve as a "collaborative communication center" for all parties-- brokers, agents, law firms, insurers etc.-- working on a claim.

As indicated by PRDP, the use of PECS will help reduce storage, filing, copying and other costs. PECS is compatible with PRDP's Liability Claims Data Standard.

"I think it also affords a lot of public entities the opportunity to report their data to PRDP and to help PRDP develop its data warehouse," Ms. Lamel added.

PRDP had indicated that it was attracted to the project because PECS is within reach of small- and medium-sized entities that cannot afford PRDP systems.

Users of PECS will not need up-front capital for software licenses and hardware as long as they do not require extensive customization or integration of PECS with other systems, Ms. Lamel indicated.

Claims On Line also is developing PECS for use with workers compensation claims, she added, " We plan to have it available for all lines of business."

If it turns out that PECS really does work for a wide range of public entities, "then this is really a turnkey," said Ms. Lamel.

Information on how to participate in the PECS pilot test can be obtained from Ms. Lamel at [email protected] or Shari Beck, Vice President, Information Technology, [email protected], or by calling 212-949-7000.