TCS extends contract with Dutch insurance provider Athora Networks

Indian IT services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has furthered its partnership with Athora Netherlands (formerly VIVAT) to help the Dutch life insurance and pension provider with an improved IT operating model to enhance customer experience, operational resilience and business agility, the Indian company announced in an exchange filing.

Hemakiran Gupta, Head of Banking, Insurance and Financial Services, Europe, TCS, said, “Our deep domain, application and insurance operations expertise combined with the next-gen hybrid cloud architecture powered by TCS Enterprise Cloud will enable them to deliver unmatched customer experience and build resilience.” 

The IT major noted that this will be a multi-year but did not disclose the size or the tenure of the deal.

TCS first started working with Athora Netherlands, then VIVAT, in 2015. With the latest extension, the IT player will contribute to Athora Netherlands’ “Ambition 2025” program to become a leading focused pensions and life insurance company.”

As part of the new extended contract, TCS will set up a hybrid cloud architecture for the company and automate and manage the firm's end-to-end business and IT operations across policy servicing, claims handling, and customer service for Athora’s closed book of life insurance policies under the Reaal brand. TCS will also induct several Athora Netherlands employees from its life service business and set up a near-shore delivery centre in Alkmaar, close to the Dutch firm’s business centre in the Netherlands.

The company noted in its announcement, "The inducted employees will continue to perform the day-to-day management of the life service business in order to facilitate a smooth continuation of the services to Athora's customers.”

TCS’ extensive insurance operations and IT expertise would help the company to secure business continuity as the portfolio gradually runs-off.  It would help the company to improve customer service levels, while making the cost base more flexible, Bart Remie, Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Athora Netherlands, said.

"I want to thank all the employees involved in the transfer for their dedication and I wish them all the best as they continue to serve our valued customers after the transfer to TCS," Remi said.