2019 AIM HDC

Mutual of Omaha has a long history of innovation, not least in the application of technology. For example, in 1955 we were the first health and accident company to order an IBM electronic data processing system. Since then we have innovated many times, implementing a broad range of technologies as they showed potential to deliver real business value.
 
Historically we have followed a common pattern, making major investments in technology on a periodic basis, often many years apart. Between investment spikes “tactical solutions” are implemented as add-ons to support business change and technical integration. Generally speaking the eventual result of employing such a strategy is that entropy inherent in organic growth leads over time to the creation of a briar patch ecosystem. It may well be functional and bear fruit but it is also tangled, thorny, and not at all easy to work with. The yield on investment has diminished greatly and our ability to support change in the business is hampered.  What then are we to do? We cannot stand by and do nothing or the briars will eventually choke us. We cannot wholesale rip and replace, the cost and risk are huge. The answer lies in continuous modernization through the application of levelled investment to incrementally transform our capability to meet business need
 
This then is the story of Mutual of Omaha Workplace Solutions’ journey from fragmentation and monoliths to Business Driven development. It is a tale not only of technology transformation, but of how the continuous modernization of our automation approach coupled with the engagement of our business partners enables us to enact holistic change across the segment. It is a story that is both relatable and repeatable. You will recognize many of the challenges we face, you will also recognize many of the solutions that we are employing to overcome those challenges. Most of all, you should also recognize approaches that you could employ to bring those benefits to your own context.