Appian and Synechron have announced the Open Underwriting Stack, a joint reference architecture designed to help insurance carriers accelerate underwriting with AI process automation and an open data foundation. The architecture combines Synechron's InsureMESH—a data-first operational platform—with Appian's process orchestration, data fabric, and AI agents.
Appian and Synechron launch Open Underwriting Stack for insurance carriers.
Combines Synechron's InsureMESH data platform with Appian process automation.
Enables transactions across legacy systems, SaaS, and external data sources.
Provides governed operational AI layer without disrupting core systems.
InsureMESH holds insurance events in open, universally accessible format.
Carriers can deploy AI without complex data preparation or legacy changes.
Insurance carriers are under pressure to modernize underwriting, apply AI responsibly, and reduce operational friction. However, many remain constrained by legacy core systems, siloed data, and multi-year transformation programs. The Open Underwriting Stack gives carriers a practical way to add a governed operational AI layer around existing systems while maintaining auditability, control, and underwriter authority in decision-making. The architecture features three connected layers: Synechron's InsureMESH platform, Appian's process automation and AI agents, and a configurable application layer via Appian Connected Underwriting.
Synechron's InsureMESH is a data-first, API-first, cloud-first layer that holds insurance transaction events in an open, universally accessible format. The platform includes a native policy admin system or can easily integrate with an existing core system. Appian Connected Underwriting and InsureMESH are fully integrated, with the underwriting application and the open platform working in tandem to triage, enrich, recommend, and route workflows within auditable guardrails. Traditional modernization paths often require complex system integrations and multi-month deployment cycles, but the Open Underwriting Stack shortens this path by replacing custom integration with prebuilt components.
"Underwriting has lived inside fixed cycles for a century, and the world it assesses no longer holds still," said Scott Van Valkenburgh, Senior Vice President, Global Partners and Alliances at Appian. "The Open Underwriting Stack delivers automation with AI agents in process, harnessing an open data foundation through Appian's data fabric. Process provides the AI structure and governance required for strict regulatory environments—making every decision traceable, every action auditable, every agent accountable. By combining Appian's process automation, data fabric, and AI agents with Synechron's open data foundation, the Open Underwriting Stack helps carriers modernize underwriting that keeps the underwriter in control."
"Insurance carriers have waited too long for AI to reach the transaction level," said Samir Sikri, Head of AI and New Technologies for Insurance, Synechron. "The bottleneck has never been the algorithm; it has been data trapped inside siloed architectures. InsureMESH frees the data and shifts downstream processing to parallel workflows, enabling AI to act at any point in the transaction. Together with Appian, we deliver connected underwriting with AI in process, keeping decisions auditable and underwriters in control. Carriers realize value in weeks rather than waiting years for transformation."
About Appian
Appian provides AI automation for mission-critical work. We automate complex processes in large enterprises and governments. Our platform is known for its unique reliability and scale. We've been automating processes for more than 25 years and understand enterprise operations like no one else.
About Synechron
Synechron is a global technology consulting firm that helps leading organizations accelerate digital transformation through innovation, expertise, and agility. With 17,000 professionals across around 60 offices in over 20 countries, we combine deep industry knowledge with advanced capabilities in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data engineering.
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