The multi-tier design of Life Portraits ES allows use on multiple platforms - both Internet and desktop - while maintaining the same system components. The modular design of Life Portraits provides a seamlessly integrated solution while allowing companies to easily select components that meet their specific business and product requirements. The system is fully integrated with ID3, Fiserv's comprehensive insurance administration solution, to support every step of the insurance value chain in a straight-through-processing environment.

The new release features an intuitive, icon-based visual environment that speeds navigation. Other enhancements in this latest release provide insurance company home offices with additional system tools that enable carriers to make product changes without requiring programming assistance. They can create, deploy and update system components across all of their marketing channels. Individual modules make it possible for the home office to duplicate and edit existing plans without programming assistance and remotely manage or update information across marketing channels in both desktop and Internet server environments.

"The most striking achievement of this new release is the control and flexibility it provides to the home office of our carriers," said Mike Key, President of the life products segment of Fiserv Insurance Solutions. "This greatly reduces the overall cost of deployment while providing a more valuable long-term investment."

The latest version of Life Portraits also features tools designed to provide access to new, lucrative markets. The Worksite Marketing module is designed to streamline the selling process in the growing payroll deduction and voluntary insurance marketplace. The Pension Maximization tool combines concise analysis, detailed reports and product support to aid in retirement planning.

"Life Portraits ES 2.8 allows market opportunities to be met head-on for increased competitive advantage," Key said. "These new cost-effective, modular features allow the home office to do even more at a lower cost than ever before."