Actuarial Modeling Software features explained
for Actuarial Department
Every feature we track for Actuarial Modeling Software products, with a description of what each one means.
Collaboration & Workflow
Features that support team-based actuarial processes including collaboration, project management, and workflow automation.
- Activity Feed
- Centralized feed showing recent user actions and system events.
- Approval Queues
- Hold models and data changes in queue until formally authorized.
- Change Notification System
- Alerts users to changes, approvals, or required actions.
- Comment Threads and Discussions
- In-tool messaging/forums for discussing model changes or data issues.
- Integration with Communication Platforms
- Connects with tools like Slack, Teams, or email alerts.
- Model Locking and Check-Out
- Locks models from changes while under review or use by another user.
- Multi-User Collaboration
- Enables multiple users to work on the same models or data sets simultaneously.
- Task Assignment and Tracking
- Assign, track, and monitor tasks associated with model development.
- Workflow Automation
- Automated, customizable workflows for model review, approval, and publishing.
- Workflow Customization Capabilities
- Flexible setup for organization-specific workflows and approval paths.
Core Modeling Capabilities
Functions and tools necessary for developing, maintaining, and executing actuarial models tailored to insurance applications.
- Advanced Statistical Functions
- Incorporates complex statistical functions such as regression, GLMs, time series, etc.
- Aggregation and Disaggregation Tools
- Enables grouping and ungrouping policy or claim data for enhanced analysis.
- Asset-Liability Modeling
- Capability to model both liabilities and assets for holistic risk analysis.
- Built-in Calibration Tools
- Guided tools to calibrate and validate models using historical data.
- Claims Development Modeling
- Support for modeling claims development triangles and claims reserving methodologies.
- Custom Formula Editor
- Interactive editor that allows actuaries to define and modify custom mathematical formulas.
- Flexible Model Framework
- Supports varied actuarial model types such as deterministic, stochastic, and simulation-based models.
- Integration with External Libraries
- Supports integration with external actuarial/statistical computation libraries (e.g., R, Python).
- Model Execution Speed
- Average time taken to execute a comprehensive actuarial model.
- Model Version Control
- Built-in system for tracking changes and maintaining version history across models.
- Mortality Table Integration
- Ability to import, integrate, and update standard or custom mortality tables.
- Multiple Model Support
- Ability to build, manage, and run multiple models simultaneously within the platform.
- Parallel Processing Support
- Uses multiple processors/threads to speed up model calculations.
- Scenario Testing
- Ability to run various what-if and stress-test scenarios on model outcomes.
- Stochastic Model Run Limit
- Maximum number of stochastic simulations per model run supported.
Cost & Licensing
Cost model, license flexibility, and total cost of ownership characteristics.
- Concurrent User Pricing
- Pricing available based on number of actual simultaneous users.
- Free Trial/POC Support
- Supports evaluation or proof-of-concept period before purchase.
- Maintenance Fees
- Whether recurring annual maintenance/support fees are required.
- Pay-As-You-Go Pricing
- Pricing based on actual usage (compute time, data processed, etc.).
- Perpetual License Option
- One-time payment license with optional support contract.
- Subscription License Option
- Monthly or annual subscription models.
- Transparent Pricing Structure
- Clear documentation of licensing, hosting, and user fee structure.
- Volume Discounts
- Discounted pricing tiers available for larger teams or long-term commitments.
Data Handling & Integration
Features pertaining to data input, output, transformation, and integration with external sources.
- Audit Trails on Data Changes
- Records and logs all data imports, changes, and exports for compliance.
- Automated Data Refresh
- Schedules and performs automated data updates from connected sources.
- Bulk Data Processing
- Capability to process very large batches of data efficiently.
- Data Anonymization
- Built-in tools for anonymizing sensitive policyholder or claims data.
- Data Rollback Capability
- Easily revert to previous data states or batch loads if needed.
- Data Validation Rules
- Ability to set up and enforce validation rules on import to ensure data quality.
- Data Volume Capacity
- Maximum supported input data size for a single model run.
- Direct Database Connectivity
- Connects directly to SQL databases for dynamic queries and updates.
- ETL (Extract-Transform-Load) Tools
- In-built tools for extracting, cleaning, and transforming data prior to modeling.
- Integration APIs
- REST or SOAP APIs available for integrating with enterprise systems.
- Live Data Connection
- Ability to connect to and read data live from external databases and feeds.
- Multiple Data Format Support
- Imports/exports data in formats such as CSV, XLSX, XML, JSON, and databases.
- Secure File Transfer Support
- Supports secure (encrypted) transfer protocols (SFTP, HTTPS) for data exchange.
Extensibility & Customization
The extent to which users or developers can extend base functionality for specific actuarial or organizational needs.
- Custom Data Field Support
- Ability to add new data fields or attributes to models and records.
- Custom Notification Rules
- Allows users to set up their own notification triggers and messages.
- Custom Plugin/API Support
- Supports development and deployment of custom plugins or functions via an API.
- Formula Language Support
- Custom formula or expression language available for complex model design.
- Integration with External Analytics Tools
- Out-of-the-box connectors for tools such as Tableau, PowerBI, R, Python.
- Model Template Library
- Users can save and reuse or modify organization-specific model templates.
- Open Data Schema
- Underlying data model/schema is open and accessible for modification.
- Scriptable Workflows
- Enables users to write scripts (e.g., in Python) to automate or extend core processes.
- Theming/Branding Customization
- Can be visually tailored to company brand or look-and-feel.
Regulatory Compliance
Compliance and documentation features to support regulatory requirements and audits in insurance.
- Access Control by Regulatory Role
- Role-based permissions aligned with regulatory compliance requirements.
- Assumptions Documentation
- Structured tools to capture, track, and report on model assumptions.
- Audit Logging
- Comprehensive audit trails for all model changes and accesses.
- Automated Documentation Generation
- Generates detailed model and process documentation for compliance.
- Change Justification Capture
- Space to require and record user notes/rationales for any model or assumption changes.
- Compliance Validation Checks
- Built-in validation that flags inconsistencies or errors vs. regulation.
- Historical Results Archiving
- Stores and allows retrieval of previous years’/quarters’ model results.
- Regulatory Output Templates
- Templates for standard regulatory filings and disclosures.
- Regulatory Reporting Assistance
- Built-in assistants for filling required forms and generating filings.
- Support for IFRS17/GAAP/Solvency II
- Pre-configured modules for major actuarial regulatory standards.
- Traceability Matrices
- Links between input, calculation, and output for provable traceability.
Reporting & Visualization
Tools and features to generate, customize, and distribute meaningful actuarial reports and visualize results.
- Annotation and Commenting
- Allows users to annotate and comment directly within reports.
- Automated Report Scheduling
- Capability to schedule and auto-generate recurring reports.
- Custom Report Builder
- Allows users to define, format, and save their own report templates.
- Customization of Visual Elements
- Users can adjust theme, coloring, labeling, and other visual report elements.
- Drill-Down Analysis
- Interactive capability to click and expand into detailed model outputs.
- Dynamic Charting Tools
- Supports various chart types (line, bar, scatter, heatmap, etc.) for numerical outputs.
- Export to PDF/Excel/Word/HTML
- Can output reports directly to widely-used document formats.
- Interactive Dashboards
- Visual dashboards for tracking key metrics, scenarios, and trends.
- Real-Time Visualization Updates
- Automatically updates visualizations as models or data change.
- Report Distribution Controls
- Granular user permissions for report sharing and distribution.
- Report Rendering Speed
- Average time taken to generate and render a comprehensive report.
- Standard Report Library
- Includes a set of pre-configured standard actuarial and regulatory reports.
- Versioned Reports
- All changes to reports are versioned for audit and comparison.
Scalability & Performance
Features affecting the performance of actuarial modeling, especially with large data and complex models.
- Batch Processing Speed
- How many models/data batches can be processed per hour.
- Cloud Deployment Option
- Available for deployment on public or private cloud infrastructure.
- Concurrent User Capacity
- Number of users who can actively use the product without performance loss.
- Elastic Resource Allocation
- Automatically adjusts compute and memory resources to workload.
- Horizontal Scaling
- Supports scaling across multiple servers or cloud nodes.
- Maximum Model Size Supported
- Largest supported actuarial model in terms of input variables or complexity.
- Model Calculation Speed
- Time taken to process a large, complex actuarial model.
- On-Premise Deployment Option
- Available to be installed and operated within a local data center.
- Support for Distributed Calculations
- Can run model calculations on distributed systems or clusters.
- System Uptime Guarantee
- Percentage of time the product is operational and available.
Support & Maintenance
Resources, documentation, and technical support features for long-term use and issue resolution.
- Bug Tracking System
- Transparency on reported bugs and their resolution progress.
- Community Forum/Support
- Access to peer-to-peer forums and user communities.
- Dedicated Account Management
- Assigned vendor experts for larger engagements or SLAs.
- Online Documentation
- Comprehensive online documentation, user guides, and examples.
- Release and Patch Management
- Structured approach for providing updates, patches, and release notes.
- Ticket Resolution Response Time
- Average time to vendor resolution of support tickets.
- Training Materials and Webinars
- Access to onboarding and advanced training opportunities.
- Vendor Support Availability
- Hours and channels (phone, email, chat) support is available from vendor.
Usability & Interface
Characteristics making the product intuitive, efficient, and accessible for insurance actuaries.
- Accessibility Compliance
- Meets modern accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA).
- Context-Sensitive Help
- In-app help and documentation appears based on user actions.
- Customizable Workspaces
- Users can arrange dashboards, menus, and sidebars to preference.
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Extensive support for keyboard navigation and commands.
- Localization/Language Support
- Available in multiple languages for global actuarial teams.
- Mobile Access/Web Interface
- Optimized for use on tablets or through a web browser.
- Modern User Interface
- Intuitive, up-to-date interface design for productivity.
- Step-by-Step Wizards
- Guided wizards for new users or complex tasks.
- Undo/Redo Functionality
- Easily revert or repeat user actions.
- User Persona Profiles
- Interface customization based on user role (e.g., modeler, reviewer, executive).
User Management & Security
Control user access, manage permissions, and ensure security for sensitive actuarial data.
- Active Directory/LDAP Integration
- Connects directly with organizational user directories.
- Automated Account Lockout
- Automatically locks accounts after configurable failed login attempts.
- Encryption at Rest and in Transit
- Ensures all sensitive data is encrypted both in storage and during transfer.
- Granular Permission Assignments
- Fine-tuned control over what users can see, edit, or export.
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Requires a second factor (beyond password) for user authentication.
- Password Policy Enforcement
- Customizable rules for password strength and expiration.
- Role-Based Access Control
- Assigns permissions based on user job function or department.
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Integrates with corporate identity providers for streamlined login.
- Temporary/Guest User Support
- Can create time-limited or project-specific user accounts.
- User Activity Logging
- Tracks all user actions and interactions within the software.