Frequently Asked Questions

What types of products are offered?

What is the profile of a typical customer?

Which databases are supported?

What server platforms are supported?

What client workstation types are supported?

Can OAS/VAS and OAS/IVA share data?

How long does a typical new installation take?

Can you help with the conversion of policies from my existing system?

Is there a maximum number of policies that your system can support?

How do you handle new releases?

Is source code available for your system?

Is there a maintenance contract available?

What are the technologies used?

Is your vendor staff qualified? 

What types of products are offered?

OAS offers two annuity software products: OAS/VAS for the administration of variable and fixed interest deferred annuities in the accumulation phase, and OAS/IVA for the administration of variable and fixed interest repetitive payout annuities in the liquidation phase. Back to Top.

What is the profile of a typical customer?

The functionality in OAS/VAS and OAS/IVA offers complete annuity administration, so our customers range from very large insurance companies to smaller companies. The size of the customer is reflected in our pricing structure. Back to Top.

Which databases are supported?

The database can be any relational database that supports ODBC. We have successful implementations using Oracle^®, Microsoft SQL Server^®, and Sybase^®. Back to Top.

What server platforms are supported?

The database can be placed on any server that can run in a Windows2000^®, Windows NT^® or UNIX environment and can connect to the database via ODBC. The system is logically identical on every platform supported. Back to Top.

What client workstation types are supported?

The client workstations can be Windows^® 95/98, 2000, XP and NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4.0 or higher with 32 MB of RAM and 20 MB of available hard drive space. Back to Top.

Can OAS/VAS and OAS/IVA share data?

Yes. OAS/VAS and OAS/IVA can access the same application server, and connect to the same database. Back to Top.

How long does a typical new installation take?

Many variables determine the length of the installation, such as number of required customizations, number of products supported and amount of data to convert. However, OAS uses a proven Implementation Methodology to go through requirements definition, custom development, software installation, data conversion, database setup, training and post production support. Back to Top.

Can you help with the conversion of policies from my existing system?

Yes. OAS has performed many conversions from other annuity systems. We have converted data from Vantage, Delaware Valley Financial Systems, and Leverage Group's system, to name a few. Back to Top.

Is there a maximum number of policies that your system can support?

No. Our n-tier design allows the system to scale across multiple servers, enabling our system to grow as your business grows. Back to Top.

How do you handle new releases?

We currently have a new release about every six months. The new release is delivered in both source code and executable form. Any required database conversion scripts are also provided. Delivery is typically accomplished electronically to a server location available to OAS and the customer. Back to Top.

Is source code available for your system?

Yes. The source code is included with the purchase of the system for no additional charge. Back to Top.

Is there a maintenance contract available?

Yes. The maintenance fee is based on the original price of the software plus any license upgrades purchased. Back to Top.

What are the technologies used?

The architecture of both systems is n-tier client/server. From the beginning, it was designed to operate in a true n-tier environment. The Presentation Tier consists of a Visual Basic^® thin client that has also been built using HTML or XML. The Business Rules Tier is a DCOM component written in Micro Focus Net Express^® COBOL. This tier is scaleable and can be spread across multiple physical application servers as needs grow. It communicates with the database server using ODBC. We also support industry standard web server interfaces such as CGI and ISAPI. The Database Tier can be any relational database that supports ODBC (Oracle^®, Microsoft SQL Server^®, Sybase^®, etc.). Back to Top.

Is your vendor staff qualified?

OAS is prepared with a full range of skill sets needed to support the project effort with project management, senior technician/developer, systems analysis, application programming, documentation, training, conversion services, testing, system interfaces and reporting modifications. Back to Top.