IKON Implements Claims Management Solution for Atlantic American Corpo

IKON Implements Claims Management Solution for Atlantic American Corporation

    Business Editors

    MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2005--IKON Office Solutions (NYSE:IKN)

--	Insurance company estimates that IKON is saving it approximately $100,000 annually; reduces postage costs by about 80 percent
--	Atlantic American sees improved workflow following IKON Document Lifecycle Strategy Assessment and integration of IKON Service Excellence(SM) methodology

    IKON Office Solutions (NYSE:IKN), the world's largest independent channel for document management systems and services, today announced that it has implemented a claims management solution for Atlantic American Corporation, which the insurance company estimates is saving approximately $100,000 annually and resulting in an approximate 80 percent reduction in postage costs for claims scanning, imaging and payment. An insurance holding company involved in specialty markets in the heath, property and casualty insurance industries, Atlantic American collaborated with IKON to perform a Document Lifecycle Strategy Assessment, rendering cost-benefit recommendations designed to improve workflow, efficiencies and productivity. Conducted by analysts in IKON Enterprise Services--IKON's global services organization--IKON Document Lifecycle Strategy Assessments map the lifecycle of mission critical documents, from input and capture through to storage and archival.
    Serving customers across the United States through 3,500 independent agents and brokers, Atlantic American utilized IKON on-site managed services at its Atlanta headquarters to process thousands of claims and response cards. Previously, dedicated staff members responsible for opening, sorting, recording and organizing claims were saddled with a multi-step, manual process, making the job time-consuming and inefficient. Complicating matters was an off-site, third party vendor that managed and scanned claims, adding processing time to the schedule and pushing Atlantic American close to a 15-day industry-regulated payment deadline. In addition, claims were returned to the company on un-indexed CDs, creating significant challenges for personnel searching for specific claims.
    "Our business has changed drastically in the last few years and it wasn't difficult to see that our processes hadn't evolved at the same pace," said Barbara Snyder, vice president of human resources, Atlantic American Corporation. "IKON and its Document Lifecycle Strategy Assessment helped us through a complete overhaul of our claims processing infrastructure."
    After following detailed workflow improvement recommendations provided through IKON's Document Lifecycle Strategy Assessment, Atlantic American reported a savings of approximately $8,000 per month with a web-based server imaging system that scans and stores completed claims, to help provide personnel with quick and easy access to documents. Manual check and mail labeling processes have been streamlined with a high-speed automated addressing system, saving valuable employee work hours and enabling Atlantic American to generate and send more than 50,000 pieces of mail per month. An approximate two-week turnaround on claims returns has been transformed to a nearly same-day process, and postage costs have decreased by nearly 80 percent. Further efficiencies were achieved by renovating and remodeling Atlantic American's IKON service center and mapping enhancements to IKON Service Excellence(SM), IKON's proprietary methodology designed to utilize best practices from across IKON's customer base and serve as the framework for IKON's on-site managed services engagements.
    "IKON brought two very important components to the table: the IKON Service Excellence program that's second to none, and extensive industry know-how and expertise," added Snyder. "The IKON Service Excellence methodology had an immediate and positive impact in the support they provide, and IKON's knowledge of everything from the latest innovations in equipment to the intricacies of the insurance business ensures we're getting the best solution possible. IKON enables us to look forward to new opportunities for growth instead of resisting change."
    Atlantic American's chief financial officer, John Sample, concurred. "IKON took the time to understand our processes so they could bring us solutions that make sense. Combine that with the incredible resources behind IKON, and they provide value that others simply can't offer."
    "IKON's relationship with Atlantic American is a prime example of our approach to document management," said Terrie Campbell, vice president of managed services operations for IKON. "We start by working with the customer to assess their current workflow and business needs, and then design a solution to meet those unique needs. With Atlantic American, we were also able to bring our experience with the insurance industry and our powerful IKON Service Excellence methodology to bear, helping to yield significant time, cost and productivity savings for the growing insurance company."

    About IKON

    IKON Office Solutions Inc. (www.ikon.com), the world's largest independent channel for copier, printer and MFP technologies, delivers integrated document management solutions and systems, enabling customers worldwide to improve document workflow and increase efficiency. IKON integrates best-in-class systems from leading manufacturers, such as Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, EFI and HP, and document management software from companies like Captaris, EMC (Documentum), Kofax and others, to deliver tailored, high-value solutions implemented and supported by its global services organization--IKON Enterprise Services. IKON represents one of the industry's broadest portfolios of document management services, including professional services, on-site managed services, legal document services, customized workflow solutions, and comprehensive support through its service force of approximately 16,000 employees, including its team of about 7,000 customer service technicians and support resources worldwide. With Fiscal 2004 revenues of $4.65 billion, IKON has approximately 500 locations throughout North America and Western Europe.

    This news release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the ability of IKON and its document management products, services and solutions to meet customer needs, improve productivity, reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Although IKON believes the expectations contained in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove correct. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to conducting operations in a competitive environment and a changing industry; risks and uncertainties associated with existing or future vendor relationships; and general economic conditions. Certain additional risks and uncertainties are set forth in IKON's 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a consequence of these and other risks and uncertainties, IKON's current plans, anticipated actions and future financial condition and results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

    GIKN

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CONTACT: IKON Office Solutions Russ Mast, 610-408-7220 rmast@ikon.com or Brodeur for IKON Elizabeth Dumm, 617-585-2782 edumm@brodeur.com

KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA GEORGIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS NETWORKING PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: IKON Office Solutions

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