ISG served as a strategic sourcing advisor to DOXA as it readied its data foundation for growth and AI adoption. We guided DOXA on go-to-market strategy for data management services and helping define the right sized partnership to match its analytics and data science needs.
Opportunity
DOXA, a specialty insurance managing general agent (MGA), was going through an aggressive expansion, adding at least 4 to 6 new businesses each year for the next three years.
The company leadership recognized that data is an essential driver of a successful growth strategy and of AI adoption at scale. The leadership team’s commitment to data-driven insights aimed to ensure that each acquisition and new business launch was supported by rigorous analysis, allowing for smarter decision-making and proactive identification of growth opportunities.
However, the current data environment was essentially green field, so DOXA was looking for a partner who could leverage their experience, processes and toolsets to deliver an effective data platform with a balanced approach to high quality output, speed of delivery and cost. ISG was brought on to help DOXA define, find and contract with the right data management partner to realize their short- and long-term data management goals.
Imagining Data Differently
DOXA's retained data team was skeptical that it would be possible to effectively engage a partner due to their poor previous experiences with their incumbent provider. Therefore, for ISG, it was vital to ensure that the providers were going to bring subject matter expert (SME) value as well as a developer skillset to the proposed solution.
Working with ISG advisors, the DOXA team was able to create an efficient set of requirements and also to understand the right approach to setting expectations and stage gates with the provider to ensure that their goals were met.
Future Made Possible
- Minimize risk: ISG worked diligently with each provider to ensure that the final proposal given to DOXA minimized exposure to risk and focused on results.
- Lean total cost of ownership: We structured the contract to optimize cost efficiency and maintain delivery value through clearly outlined service optionality and volume flexibility.
- Establish clear detailed expectations: ISG helped DOXA review and define what they needed the provider to deliver and ensure that there was a robust set of expectations.
- Focus on future partnership: DOXA leveraged ISG's unique approach to foster a relationship between DOXA and its potential providers during the sourcing process to ensure ongoing success of the engagement post signature.
"We appreciate ISG’s business and industry knowledge, hard work and professionalism. ISG enabled a journey that brought 3 strong, detailed fixed-bid solutions to us. Just as important, the process helped our team transition from being skeptical of working with a system integrator to being very excited about what is possible.”
Do you have questions about how to ensure your firm is AI-ready? does your data foundation need modernizing? Talk to an ISG advisor today.
