Prevent Potential ONESHIELD Implementation Mistakes

With surging customer demands and a changing insurance landscape, embracing digital transformation is more than beneficial—it's essential. Today, insurance carriers increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions to streamline critical processes such as policy management, billing, claims and rating.  

One of those solutions is OneShield Enterprise (OSE), which has emerged as a resourceful solution in this shift, providing insurers with robust software to boost operational efficiency, accelerate speed-to-market and simplify IT complexities. Compared to traditional policy management systems, OSE offers advanced automation, cloud-based flexibility and configurable workflows designed specifically for insurers. 

However, even the more advanced systems can falter without careful implementation, trusted counsel and reliable expertise. Here, we outline common pitfalls–– and their impacts––insurance carriers may inadvertently overlook and ultimately face during OSE implementation. The good news is that recommended solutions, proactive plans and/or actionable steps will prevent these mistakes––particularly through expert support from partners like INFORCE. 

Common Mistakes. Potential Consequences. Recommended Solutions.

1. Delayed Cloud Adoption

They say a day of delay is another day’s lack of progress. Many insurance carriers hesitate when transitioning core operations to cloud solutions, often due to perceived risks around security, control, and general cold feet at making such a change. While caution is understandable and prudent, delaying cloud adoption means missing pockets of opportunities for cost savings, scalability, and enhanced customer experience. 

Consequences: Carriers that remain hesitant risk falling behind competitors who leverage cloud agility to quickly adapt to market demands. Those hesitant carriers then potentially sacrifice customer satisfaction and profitability. 

Recommendation: Start small. Pilot lower-risk system components initially, gradually building confidence in cloud-based operations. Obtain security certifications and understand compliance measures that reassure stakeholders on cloud safety. Once your cloud infrastructure is in place, working with a trusted partner like INFORCE who understands both OSE and the insurance industry can help you accelerate progress through tailored, risk-managed approaches. 

2. Underestimating Implementation Planning

There’s a joke about a meeting that was called “Planning to Plan.” But in this case, effective OSE implementation requires thorough contingency preparation and anticipating the unexpected. Carriers sometimes underestimate the scope of required due diligence, leading to integration hiccups and inefficient use of system capabilities. 

Consequences: Poorly planned implementation can disrupt day-to-day operations, create dissension among stakeholders, frustrate users and cause financial setbacks. 

Recommendation: Invest in comprehensive planning and get all stakeholders on the same page, with roles and responsibilities clearly defined. When possible, get an outside perspective and work with software experts who grasp the nuances of insurance operations and the specific functionalities of OSE. They can develop a strategic roadmap that clearly defines your objectives and helps ensure seamless integration and operational continuity. 

3. Neglecting Change Management

To achieve a successful change management strategy means changing mindsets too, where technology adoption and software installation involve managing cultural shifts within the organization. Failing to anticipate, and having to manage, hesitancy from employees can severely hinder OSE's effectiveness. 

Consequences: Employee aversion, uncertainty, lack of understanding or even inherent fear of change may lead to low system adoption rates, operational inefficiencies and decreased employee morale. 

Recommendation: A successful change management strategy begins with leadership buy-in and continues with clear communication, employee training and phased rollouts. Clearly communicate benefits, listen to concerns, involve teams early in the process and proactively provide ongoing support. INFORCE’s experienced consultants can help facilitate organizational buy-in, ensuring smoother transitions and higher adoption rates. 

4. Overlooking Customization Needs

OSE's true power lies in its configurable workflows and rules, making it customizable to various operations. Neglecting such customization that aligns with your unique business processes can result in system inefficiencies and operational bottlenecks. 

Consequences: Inefficient workflows, lack of differentiation and misaligned business processes reduce operational speed and productivity, leading to internal frustration. 

Recommendation: Thoroughly assess and identify areas requiring customization and tap into the extra details OSE can provide. If it seems overwhelming, bring in a partner with a deep understanding of both the software and how its features can best be applied to your operation, generating efficient workflows precisely aligned with your business model.

5. Inadequate Training

It takes time to gain common knowledge on a new system. Insufficient staff training is one of the most common and impactful mistakes made during software implementation. Training issues may arise from resistance of veteran employees to methods that fall short. Without reliable training, employees may struggle with system functionalities and details, causing errors and reduced productivity. 

Consequences: Undertrained staff will undermine OSE’s value, resulting in costly errors, inefficiencies, a delay in implementation and a lack of confidence-in-the-moment reactions. 

Recommendation: Develop and implement a robust training program tailored to your operation, your team, and the way you actually use the system. Focus on hands-on learning and continuous upskilling that aligns with specific roles and responsibilities. Incorporate role-based training paths, real-world scenario workshops—and just as importantly, prioritize the creation of thorough, well-organized documentation. Too often, this critical step is overlooked, yet documentation that clearly captures processes, configurations, and decisions is essential for onboarding new team members, supporting long-term system adoption, and maintaining operational consistency over time. 

Thinking Ahead: Leveraging Expertise  

Successfully implementing OSE demands meticulous planning, thoughtful change management, precise customization and comprehensive training. The mistakes to avoid become even more worrisome if you don’t take the best steps to prevent them. Partnering with experienced consultants is an added layer of protection against issues and helps to turn such hurdles into positive accelerators, ensuring your investment in OSE delivers maximum operational efficiency and sustained profitability. Operational excellence isn't just about choosing the right software—it's about implementing it the right way with the right support. 

To ensure a seamless OSE implementation, consult with experts who specialize in insurance IT solutions. Contact INFORCE today to learn how we can optimize your transition and maximize ongoing system performance.