It includes new technical features, including claims profiling and a partner integration framework "to help insurers integrate with vendors," the company said.

Accenture said the claims profiling component uses advanced modeling techniques to streamline the claims handling process by identifying claims with similar attributes and matching them to an appropriate "profile."

The profiling process involves a "pattern matcher" that allows users to set up the system to scan for certain patterns in claims, said Mike Jackowski, head of product development in Accenture's claims solution group.

As claims come in, they are automatically matched to those patterns. Based on the areas of matching, specific tasks can be assigned to adjusters working on a particular claim. They can then investigate certain aspects of that claim that might otherwise have been ignored, he explained.

"A claim can change its profile as you learn more about it," noted David Hollander, managing partner of the claims solution group. Claims Components 2.0 constantly re-evaluates the claim in light of such new information. "Classic work flow systems for claims are not ideal for this," he said.

The partner integration framework is "an XML engine that lets us move data between us and other claims applications involved in the claims process," said Mr. Jackowski. He added that this could be done, "potentially, without a human being involved."

Accenture said the Claims Components were built by Accenture on a Microsoft-based technical architecture known as ICBA.M (Internet Component-based Architecture for Microsoft). This delivers a cost-effective scalable solution, said Mr. Jackowski.

Mr. Hollander said the software "supports all lines of business?worker's compensation, auto, property and liability."

Claims Components can be implemented by a carrier within nine to 12 months, said Accenture, which maintained that this would save insurers 12 to 24 months in development time needed to develop such systems themselves. "They can also add things that are unique to their environment," Mr. Jackowski noted.

The typical cost of implementing the system would be "millions of dollars," said Mr. Hollander, noting that it involves retraining of a carrier's claims personnel and significant changes in the claims handling process.

"The benefits are staggering," Mr. Hollander claimed. He cited a "systemic 15 percent overpayment of claims" in the industry, which he said could be "significantly" reduced by having the Accenture systems in place.

Accenture said it has licensed its Claims Components software to seven "leading" property-casualty insurers, and that "more than 7,000 claim handlers are now using the solution at their desktops."