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Melanie Brenneman  »  DataCert, Inc.  »  (832) 369-6157  »  pr@datacert.com
Mark Holford  »  Thomas Miller & Co Ltd  »  +44 20 7204 2350  »  mark.holford@thomasmiller.com

Thomas Miller Extends its Value for Money Initiative with DataCert Spend Management Technology Contract

World's Largest Provider of Insurance Services to the Transport Industry Seeks Substantial Cost Savings and Strategic Benefits for Future Operations

LONDON, Dec. 14, 2006 - Thomas Miller's Value for Money project took a major step forward today when it finalized a contract with DataCert, Inc. for a cost management system for professional services procurement. The agreement, believed to be a first for the insurance industry outside of the United States, requires DataCert to provide electronic invoicing services to law firms used worldwide by Thomas Miller's managed mutual insurance companies ("Clubs").

Thomas Miller will utilize DataCert's web-based technology, Advanced Invoice Management System (AIMS^SM), and its advanced rules engine, Guide, to manage and control all the procurement and invoicing of professional services for its worldwide claims portfolio. DataCert's software will be integrated with Thomas Miller's award-winning claims management software OASIS, substantially extending its capabilities.

Started five years ago, the Value for Money project aims to bring benefits to Thomas Miller, the Clubs managed by it, their Members and the professional suppliers providing these services.

Mark Holford, Thomas Miller's newly appointed Director of Service, explained, "Last year clubs managed by Thomas Miller made over 100,000 claims and fee payment transactions, of which 40,000 related to legal, technical and other professional services provided by more than 4,000 suppliers. This system will enable us to introduce new management techniques and thereby to control our spending, both on claims and fees, in a radically different way."

He continued, "Thomas Miller is the first European company in the insurance industry to use this software to manage claims. It will considerably enhance our strategic approach to professional supplier management as we analyze and benchmark the performance of the lawyers, correspondents and surveyors who provide services to the Clubs we manage. At the tactical level, Thomas Miller claims executives will have a decision-support tool to enable them to make judgements more effectively and ensure that work commissioned has been properly carried out for the appropriate fee. In general, this project will be an agent for change both internally and externally."

Already many invoices from some professional suppliers are received electronically. DataCert's software will extend e-billing to all professional service providers - notably lawyers - and improve the analysis of all fees.

"A key factor in Thomas Miller's choice was our physical presence in Europe," commented Jeff Hodge, senior director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), DataCert. "In addition, we were attracted by Thomas Miller's long-term vision for how AIMS will evolve within their business environment and how they want to integrate it with their existing OASIS claims management system."

About Thomas Miller

Thomas Miller is the world's largest provider of insurance services to the transport industry. In shipping, its managed businesses have a unique portfolio of insurance contracts with the owners of more than 50 percent of the world's tonnage, as well as insuring many of the world's leading port operators, freight forwarders, ship agents and ship brokers. The Thomas Miller Group manages insurance companies and has the underwriting, claims handling, loss prevention, financial, legal, risk management and investment skills needed to provide world-leading insurance services. For more information, visit www.thomasmiller.com.

About Guide

Guide is DataCert's powerful business rules engine that automates the enforcement of corporate law department billing guidelines for legal electronic invoicing. With Guide, the tedious and time-consuming task of manually validating thousands of line items on legal invoices is eliminated. Guide is used in conjunction with AIMS.

About AIMS

Advanced Invoice Management System (AIMS) is DataCert's web-based application that facilitates the approval and payment of electronic invoices between law firms and vendors and corporate law departments. Its primary purpose is to help managers proactively analyze corporate legal spend. Using AIMS, legal invoices are validated against corporate outside counsel guidelines, routed, adjusted and approved, then posted to a matter management and/or accounts payable system.

About DataCert, Inc.

DataCert, Inc. is the largest and fastest-growing supplier of electronic invoicing and corporate legal spend management solutions. DataCert's products and services provide a substantial return on investment to corporations looking to take control of their outside legal spend. With more than 9,600 customers in 126 countries, including 72 of the Fortune^® 500, DataCert processes in excess of $9 billion of electronic invoicing data on an annualized basis. DataCert is headquartered in Houston with regional offices in London, Paris and Austin. Visit DataCert at www.datacert.com for more information.