Crawford & Company Ranks in Top 100 in InformationWeek 500

ATLANTA, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA; CRDB), the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions, has ranked in the top 100 in the 2009 InformationWeek 500, reflecting the Company's innovative use of information technology in its global claim operations.

"We have developed a global technology strategy and invested significantly in information and communications technology in the past two years," said Jeffrey T. Bowman, Crawford president and chief executive officer. "Those efforts are paying off in better systems, improved performance and greater customer satisfaction. I am delighted that Crawford is being recognized as a technology leader by InformationWeek."

Rankings were revealed last night at a gala awards ceremony, part of the InformationWeek 500 Conference at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif. Crawford ranked 99, or in the top 20 percent, out of 500 companies that placed on the list.

Brian S. Flynn, global chief information officer, led efforts by Crawford's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department and worldwide business operations to develop the technology strategy. Crawford's global claims management solution, featured in its award application, links claims systems, advanced mobile technology, dashboard technology that monitors claims performance and business intelligence tools that transform raw data into actionable information. Crawford also has implemented a Web 2.0 portal, CrawfordInnovates.com, that allows employees to submit and discuss ideas for ICT innovations and eventually will provide a venue for creating ideas with customers and suppliers.

Crawford recently launched a revolutionary new Command Center designed to further improve service to clients by providing up-to-the-minute information on claims status and key performance indicators that are critical measures of the success of a claims management program. Its centerpiece is the Performance Dashboard, which provides real-time data and powerful analytics to track claims and identify claims handling trends and issues. Crawford also is implementing RiskTech(TM), a new claims system that improves business efficiency, workflow automation and data capture and exchange in its workers' compensation business, Broadspire.

"For over 20 years, the InformationWeek 500 has honored the most innovative users of business technology," said InformationWeek Editor-in-Chief Rob Preston. "Year after year, InformationWeek 500 companies harness technology to improve efficiency, boost productivity, drive revenue and establish a competitive advantage. We applaud this year's winners, and the CIOs and other executives whose ingenuity and risk taking are at the center of business technology innovation."

InformationWeek identifies and honors the most innovative users of information technology in the United States with its annual 500 listing, now in its 21st year, and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America's best-known companies. Top winners have included Conway, National Semiconductor, Kimberly-Clark, Hilton Hotels and Unum. The InformationWeek 500 rankings are unique among corporate rankings as they spotlight the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online: www.informationweek.com/iw500/.

About Crawford

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Crawford & Company (www.crawfordandcompany.com) is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities, with a global network of more than 700 locations in 63 countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions(SM) offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines including property and casualty claims management, workers' compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.

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SOURCE Crawford & Company