Nationwide added a function to Amazon Alexa that lets subscribers of its usage base auto insurance program access data via voice command. Willis Towers Watson is debuting a virtual, actuarial workplace that brings the company’s insurance software to the cloud.

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Nationwide said it has enhanced voice integration technology capabilities for Amazon Alexa by adding a SmartRide function.

SmartRide is Nationwide’s usage base auto insurance program, where a mobile app monitors driving and can help users earn discounts based on their driving behavior. Nationwide SmartRide members can access critical personalized driving information through the Nationwide skill for Amazon Alexa.

Including SmartRide into the Nationwide skill for Amazon Alexa lets participating members easily obtain SmartRide’s collection of personalized data about their driving habits.

With that information in hand, members can then adjust the way they drive to reduce their monthly premiums. Alexa rounds out the communications available to SmartRide program participants, which includes the program’s website and ongoing email communications.

Members can now ask Alexa about their status and obtain a summary with details regarding hard brakes, fast acceleration, idle time, nighttime driving, estimated discount and final discount upon program completion.

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Willis Towers Watson is debuting a virtual, actuarial workplace that brings the company’s insurance software to the cloud.

Dubbed vPlace, the Software-as-a-Service platform is targeted toward helping reduce IT costs and finding more efficient ways to respond to business and regulatory pressures, something Willis Towers Watson said legacy IT infrastructure is failing to address.

The online workspace, powered by Microsoft Azure, provides what Willis Towers Watson said is an “agile, alternative environment” to host and manage clients’ Willis Towers Watson software and supplementary actuarial programs. Through vPlace, software is enabled to run at peak performance, supporting insurers’ ability to effectively respond to fluctuating industry pressures, maximizing their software investment.

Willis Towers Watson said vPlace can accommodate a range of its risk and actuarial software products and other supplementary actuarial programs to enable them to work seamlessly together.

Sources: Nationwide, Willis Towers Watson