We create clarity and shape the future of business-critical software systems.
“We chose PKS as our development partners because they are a one-stop shop for support in all critical aspects of the project. We also appreciate the unfailing reliability of both management and project leads.”
The Company
AVUS is an Austrian family business that was initially founded as a transport company at the time of the Allied occupation following World War II. Thanks to his negotiating skills, Josef Pscheidl was the first person allowed to transport goods between the Soviet occupation zone and the zones of the Western allies. However, as a result of increased motorisation, he was more and more often involved in traffic accidents. Since the insurance sector hardly existed in those days, he often became embroiled in compensation disputes. This experience led to the business idea of representing other injured parties against injuring parties or against their opponent’s insurers. And that was the trigger for founding a claims settlement company, which was initially active in a domestic capacity. Today, AVUS is one of the largest service providers for international claims settlement. Based in Graz, Austria, it is active in over 150 countries. With over 300 claims experts, the traditional company currently serves over 800 insurance customers.
The company
A look back

How can you evaluate
whether the existing RPG application provides a solid foundation for continuing with the customised software?
Is it possible
to perform a careful step-by-step renovation in order to continue using the software investment of the last twenty years without endangering operational reliability or performance?
How can the benefits
So AVUS was faced with the following urgent questions:

How can you evaluate
whether the existing RPG application provides a solid foundation for continuing with the customised software?
Is it possible
How can the benefits
A closer look
Given this background, the owner, managing director and head of IT decided to work together with PKS Software GmbH.
As part of an assessment over several months, led by PKS, the core application was tested in all areas, from mapping of processes to technology, source code and maintenance investment, to development methods and the developers’ qualifications. The review revealed that modernising the old application would be much simpler and more economic than a new development. The investigations showed that the company’s own software had a high value, estimated at 1.6 million euro. Therefore developing new software with the same functionality would have incurred costs of around 1.6 million euro for programming alone – not including the specifications.
Following the comprehensive evaluation of the claim settlement software in autumn 2015 and the creation of a modernisation roadmap, in May 2016 the owners of the company gave their go-ahead for the modernisation project.
The project was divided into several steps. The central element was the implementation of an electronic claim file instead of paper-based processes. In addition, PKS provided a web interface for the complete system, based on eXcite technology and implemented a query/BI tool based on Valence.
A closer look
Given this background, the owner, managing director and head of IT decided to work together with PKS Software GmbH.
As part of an assessment over several months, led by PKS, the core application was tested in all areas, from mapping of processes to technology, source code and maintenance investment, to development methods and the developers’ qualifications. The review revealed that modernising the old application would be much simpler and more economic than a new development. The investigations showed that the company’s own software had a high value, estimated at 1.6 million euro. Therefore developing new software with the same functionality would have incurred costs of around 1.6 million euro for programming alone – not including the specifications.
Following the comprehensive evaluation of the claim settlement software in autumn 2015 and the creation of a modernisation roadmap, in May 2016 the owners of the company gave their go-ahead for the modernisation project.
The project was divided into several steps. The central element was the implementation of an electronic claim file instead of paper-based processes. In addition, PKS provided a web interface for the complete system, based on eXcite technology and implemented a query/BI tool based on Valence.
Conclusion
Conclusion
A look ahead
That’s why Avus is investing in young developers both on its own and through PKS’ iCademy.
A look ahead
That’s why Avus is investing in young developers both on its own and through PKS’ iCademy.
The benefits at a glance
1.6
State
1
Well
Tools / processes
- IBM i software assessment
- Creation of a roadmap
- eXplain
- eXcite
- Valence
- Project lead implementation