Implementing an AI-ready data platform for Nsure.com

History

Nsure.com is an innovative platform whose story is as inspiring as the beginnings of Netflix. The founders, looking for the right insurance for themselves, saw the need for an intuitive online platform that would allow them to purchase it from preparing a calculation, to comparing quotes, to finalizing the transaction without leaving home. And so they did. Since then, the company has grown rapidly, becoming not only a leader in the U.S. online insurance market, but also a pioneer in basing its search engines on the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. It now operates in all 50 U.S. states, taking the classic insurance office into the digital world. As it grew, Nsure.com recognized the need to manage and centralize large volumes of different types of data. As experts in Data & AI and Microsoft technologies, we were chosen to implement a modern data platform ready for the AI era.

Needs

What prompted the need for a modern, central data platform?

Nsure.com’s goal was to prepare the platform for its expansion with more AI components to deliver even more personalized offers to its customers. To do so, we faced the following challenges:

Ineffective reporting system

Solutions based on the Azure platform did not meet expectations in terms of speed and reliability.

Data dispersion

The information was in different systems, making it impossible for teams to work on the same data.

Manual processing of information

Some operations were carried out manually, which consumed the teams' time resources.

Implementation

How did we respond to Nsure.com's needs?

Stage

Analysis of the current state

We started with a detailed review of the existing data infrastructure to understand what changes are needed:

  • We analyzed the client's data warehouse architecture on the Azure platform and the ETL/ ELT processes involved in processing the source data.
  • We then met with representatives from all departments that will benefit from the data platform: reporting, Data Science and AI, to learn and fully understand their needs.
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Defining the target state

Based on an analysis of the current state, we developed a concept for the future platform:

  • Setting end goals - We defined the project goals and the final architecture of the new platform.
  • Task breakdown and milestones - We prepared an implementation schedule, dividing implementation into phases.
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    Start of implementation

    During the reslization of the project, we were keen to interfere as little as possible with the client's current infrastructure and analytical solutions to ensure continuity in the reporting and data analysis process. In order to ensure a smooth transition to the new platform, we met regularly with Nsure.com representatives to adapt the platform to their needs in real time and transfer relevant expertise on an ongoing basis.
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    Synchronize data from key business applications

    We synchronized sales data from Power Apps platform applications stored in Microsoft's Dataverse database, marketing data stored in Azure's CosmosDB database, and data from internal process management applications in the organization such as Microsoft Shift.
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    Transferring data to Microsoft Fabric

    We automated the process of extracting data from the application, and then transferred it to the Modern Data Lakehouse based on Microsoft Fabric.
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    Integration and data automation with Twilio

    Twilio is a Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) that Nsure.com used to communicate with customers. We integrated it with the data platform, which automated the data retrieval process and significantly reduced the time for the Data Science team to prepare reports.
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    Quote Automation data integration

    We integrated the information received when generating personalized insurance quotes into the data platform. As a result, employees gained access to monitoring the performance of quote systems with the ability to optimize them.
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    Optimize the performance of Power BI semantic models

    We consulted with the Data Science team on optimizing the performance of semantic models, which translated into the overall user experience of using PowerBI.
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    Access for insurers to Power BI reports

    Insurers working with Nsure.com gained access to reports in PowerBI on their own performance for internal analysis.
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    Training and workshops

    We wanted Nsure.com to take advantage of the full potential of the solution we implemented for it, so throughout the project we reularly shared knowledge with the client. We conducted workshops that allowed Nsure.com employees to quickly gain competencies related to the new platform.
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    Result

    By implementing a platform based on Microsoft Fabric, Nsure.com has achieved a number of benefits:

    A single, up-to-date source of data

    Collaborating teams gained access to a single, consistent database, which facilitated collaboration and strategic business decisions.

    Reduce operating costs

    Using Microsoft OneLake allowed us to reduce the frequency of exporting and duplicating data, and to take advantage of shortcuts available in Microsoft Fabric, which allowed us to reduce costs.

    Process automation

    The automation of previously manual processes and the integration of the internal systems used has freed up teams’ time.

    Readiness for AI development

    We have transformed the way teams access, manage and act on data with a single modern data platform ready to plug in AI-based solutions.

    Data analysis is the foundation of our business – we make key business decisions based on it. The implementation of Microsoft Fabric has significantly revolutionized our approach to analytics, enabling us to create a unified data lake and integrate all sources, which has significantly accelerated data processing. As a result, both analysts working in Power BI and Notebook can effectively use common models, resulting in more precise analysis and visualization of data in Power BI.

    Wojtek Gudaszewski
    Co-founder and COO of Nsure.com

    Learn how a modern data platform can support your business growth.