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New eMitchell Claims Processing Solution Offers Expanded Functionality

    SAN DIEGO--Dec. 6, 2002--Mitchell International Inc. announced today the launch of a new version of eMitchell -- the "next generation" of Mitchell's innovative eBusiness solution for online processing and management of collision repair claims.
    Distinguished by expanded features and a new portal, the new eMitchell offers insurers and collision repairers significantly increased functionality, greater ease of use, speed and performance.
    "With this new version, Mitchell continues to lead the way by providing an eBusiness solution unparalleled in its functionality, innovation and depth of service offerings," said Margaret Ho, Mitchell's Vice President of eBusiness Product Planning. "eMitchell is the most comprehensive solution in the industry today and is delivering true value to our customers."
    Several leading insurers are using eMitchell to facilitate their transactions with hundreds of collision repair business partners. "Insurers using eMitchell for claims management have reduced claims cycle times by up to three days or more and realized up to a 40 percent increase in field appraiser productivity. These improvements help to control severity, reduce loss adjustment expense and improve customer satisfaction," Ho said.
    The portal is located at www.emitchell.com.
    With its development based on open communication (CIECA or Internet XML) standards, eMitchell seamlessly integrates with insurers' existing systems and accepts estimates from any estimating system.
    Among the major enhancements unveiled in the new eMitchell are:

-- More Workspace Personalization -- Powerful new features enable users to personalize and better organize their workspaces. For instance, enhanced claims sorting functionality enables users to organize their efforts more effectively across their assigned areas. Additionally, with its new tab format, eMitchell is easier, faster and more intuitive.
-- Expanded Review Module -- The module now includes an adjuster role, in addition to the existing online workspaces of dispatcher, estimator, desk reviewer and claims manager. The new workspace gives adjusters access to claim files as soon as an assignment is sent, giving them improved visibility on the claim and enabling more effective management. The expanded module also enables claims reviewers to request supplements during the review process. This is a significant time-saver, avoiding unnecessary phone calls between the reviewers and estimators.
-- More Streamlined Assignment Process -- The assignment function has been enhanced allowing a faster process, with multiple ways of assignment delivery including fax and email.
-- Enhanced Speed and Performance -- Based upon extensive focus group analysis and customer input, Mitchell has redesigned eMitchell content and information flow. Further, Mitchell has increased its multimillion-dollar investment in supporting technology and infrastructure. As a result, eMitchell is significantly faster, delivers enhanced performance and is easier to use.

    This expansion is the latest in a series of continuing enhancements to eMitchell, which offers the industry's broadest array of innovative offerings including: Online MIS Reporting, a powerful reporting tool which provides cost, benchmarking and other data essential to pinpointing business drivers; eClaim Manager, which increases productivity by enabling staff adjusters to send and receive assignments wirelessly from the field; and a total loss settlement solution including salvage management.
    "We are quickly moving toward delivering 'claims centric' enterprise-wide technology solutions," said Tony Aquila, Mitchell's Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Management. "These solutions focus and streamline all the elements of the claims process, enabling our clients to achieve enhanced customer satisfaction, reduced cycle times and lower costs."
    In August, Mitchell announced continued development of its collision repair network, which will give insurers access to a comprehensive network of quality shops. The network is another major component of Mitchell's enterprise-wide solution.

    About Mitchell

    Mitchell International Inc., founded in 1946 and headquartered in San Diego, is The Source for information software and eBusiness solutions for the insurance and collision repair industries. Providing services that enhance productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction, Mitchell facilitates several million electronic transactions between more than 16,000 business partners each month. Mitchell's own parts and labor database, a critical connectivity point between shops and insurers, is trusted for its accuracy and respected as the industry standard. For more information on Mitchell, contact Bonnie Ward, PR Manager, 858/530-8990 or bonnie.ward@mitchell.com. Visit our Web site at www.mitchell.com.