Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate said it undertook the project to extend its five existing policy management systems for access by the company's national network of independent producers.

Using Microsoft .NET and the .NET Framework, Allstate built a solution to put Allstate Financial tools at producers' fingertips. Microsoft is based in Redmond, Wash.

"We attribute much of the success of the project and rapid time to market?to the significant increases in performance, scalability, reliability and developer productivity provided by Visual Studio, .NET and the .NET Framework," said Patricia Coffey, vice president of technology at Allstate Financial.

Allstate said it used the technologies, as well as Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, SQL Server 2000 and BizTalk Server 2002, to harness the power of XML Web services.

Other technologies utilized included J2EE connectors, which enabled Allstate to integrate its systems and services while achieving its IT business goals. Microsoft Consulting Services also contracted with Avanade Inc. to assist in the site development, the companies noted.

Allstate said it developed AccessAllstate.com as a strategic technology solution to integrate multiple information systems and services and present them in a way that enables producers to transact business with the firm.

By easily navigating one central Web site for all these capabilities, agents will be more efficient in servicing their customers, while focusing on opportunities to reduce operating costs and increase revenues, Allstate said.