Through a new application that streamlines access to data, the London Stock Exchange has cut the time it takes to respond to inquiries from its members. The solution is an Office Business Application (OBA) designed for use by the London Stock Exchange’s primary account managers, or PAMs, who manage the accounts of the hundreds of clients that are the exchange’s members.

SUA Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Specialty Underwriter’s Alliance, Inc., has brought one of its best-in-class partners to market with full policy management life cycle capabilities in 45 days. The partner, Minden, NV-based Flying Eagle, which underwrites commercial liability for the construction industry and roofing trade in ten states, was up and running quickly with a Web services-based EXAMPLE platform from Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Duck Creek Technologies.

Midland, MI-based Chemical Bank has expanded its 28-year relationship with Metavante Corp. to include automated Web and browser-based wealth management processing with real-time data access capabilities, and other consulting services. The bank with $4 billion in assets has used the Bankway core banking product from Metavante, a Microsoft Gold Partner, for decades and runs it in 129 locations in Michigan.

By Don Canning, Microsoft

How much is your lawn worth?  Interesting question if you considered the time, effort and cost to replace it. What about your trees and flowers, even if you’re in a Madison Avenue high rise sporting a balcony with exotic shrubbery, you probably have a vested interest in that question, moreover the answer.