Lessons Learned
Allianz bundles its know-how in risk assessmentOn January 1, 2008, Allianz will bundle its risk consulting for industrial customers (Allianz Risk Consultants) and damage analysis at the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) to form a new joint unit. more...
Does size really matter?As nanotechnology brings a wealth of new opportunity for the world, the job for insurers is to strike a balance between understanding the risks involved and supporting progress. We take a look at the latest thinking on the issue, and find that risky things come in small packages. more... Benefits of technical due diligence extend beyond closing dayInnovative technology can be a promising aspect of many acquisitions, often providing a significant portion of the expected value fom a transaction. But the excitement of buying a company with technical promise can create a blind spot for investors, whose decisions on R&D, marketing, and production can make the difference between realizing that value and coming up short. more ... Eye on technologyInvestors need to compare a target company's technology-related risks with market trends and competitors. Technical due diligence (TDD) investigations can shed light on these critical issues. By Michael Bruch more ...
Of mice and men
When it comes down to it, we still know far too little about the potential hazards caused by electromagnetic fields and radiation (EMF). However, people in industrialised countries are being increasingly subjected to these phenomena. Allianz will carefully monitor the ongoing research programmes and report on the results, the main aim being to achieve an open dialogue with our customers on the overall issue of EMF and to look for solutions together. By Christoph Lauterwasser more ...
The Safety-Makers From AZT The staff of the Allianz Center for Technology spend their time researching losses and damage. Exactly what they do is the subject of an article by Christian Gottwalt which appeared in the magazine of the Süddeutsche Zeitung. A shortened version of the article is presented here. more ... Business Continuity Plans Pay OffBusiness continuity management is a cost-effective and proven method to take the sting out of unexpected catastrophes. By Hans Geerdink, Allianz Risk, Risk Consultants more ... Risks are evolving for data processing centers. Research shows that non-technical risks linked to human actions, whether intentional or unintentional, are on the rise, according to a recent report. By Rudolf Kreutzer more ... Symbol of UpswingAhead of the 2006 World Soccer Championships, more than 1 billion euros are being pumped into the country’s 12 championship stadiums. Such investments and the welfare state reform process under way are expected to drive an economic upswing also affecting the insurance market. By Gundula Hermes more ... News from the Allianz Center for TechnologyThe introduction of new services in the fields of technical safety – in particular quality-, environmental- and risk- management – has extended the development of the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT). This has turned the center into a modern service operation both for Allianz, as an international industrial insurer, and also for industry and trade. After some introductory considerations, this article describes the organization of the AZT and the structure of its customer base. It also presents a selection of service activities and investigations. more ... Managing Strategic IssuesStrategic issue management is a proactive approach to corporate risks and opportunities, particularly with respect to new technologies. Although it is a recurring theme in holistic risk management, very few companies have exploited its advantages. This article provides pointers for effective applications. more ... The Changing Face of RiskWhile a wide range of risks is being harnessed, totally new and increasingly intangible risks are emerging all the time. And risk perceptions are rapidly changing. “Meta risk management” helps companies to manage systemic risks deriving from globalization and networks. more ... When Organization and Technical Monitoring CollideCompany losses can arise from non-technical causes. This article looks at several real-life cases that highlight the role organization and so-called soft facts play in the monitoring and diagnosis of technical systems. more ... Remote Diagnosis of Power Plant Turbosets: A Stop-Loss MeasureThe use of vibration diagnosis monitoring systems for turbosets is becoming more widespread because of their advantage in the early recognition of mechanical changes. Access via modem also offers the possibility of rapid diagnosis. The methods described here enable a check-up of the operational safety of turbosets. By Georg Walter more ... Subsurface Flank Fractures Threat to Turbine GearsSurface-hardened gearwheel failures, in which the location of the primary damage is displaced to below the flank surface, are becoming more widespread. This type of damage can be referred to as subsurface flank fractures. This article examines the detection, possible causes and ways to avoid these fractures. By Erwin Bauer more ... Environmental Due DiligenceEnvironmental due diligence investigations identify and assess the finacial impact of environmental risks for a company's bottom line.They are a key measuring tool for mergers and acquisitions as well as in strategic business planning. By Michael Bruch more ... | 
