What happens when an insurance company struggles to keep pace with rapid software updates in a hyper-competitive market? The answer lies in a transformative partnership between Encova Insurance, a multi-line mutual insurer based in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, and Sapiens International Corporation, a global leader in insurance software solutions. This collaboration, centered on automated testing, is not just a tech upgrade—it’s a potential lifeline for insurers drowning in manual processes. Picture a world where system upgrades no longer mean weeks of tedious testing, but instead, a streamlined operation that saves time and boosts quality. This story unfolds with a promise to redefine efficiency in the insurance tech landscape.
The significance of this alliance cannot be overstated. As the insurance industry grapples with increasing demands for speed and reliability, Encova’s adoption of Sapiens’ Automated Testing Services (ATS) for its CoreSuite for Workers’ Compensation system marks a pivotal shift. This initiative, already underway in 2025, aims to slash the time spent on regression testing during upgrades, freeing up resources for strategic priorities. It’s a move that could set a precedent for how insurers tackle operational bottlenecks, making this partnership a beacon of innovation worth exploring.
Revolutionizing Insurance Tech: The Power of Collaboration
At the heart of this story is a pressing need for agility in an industry often bogged down by legacy processes. Encova Insurance, serving a wide range of clients across multiple states, has long faced the challenge of balancing software updates with operational demands. The traditional approach to testing—manual and labor-intensive—has often delayed release cycles, creating a ripple effect on market responsiveness. This partnership with Sapiens offers a glimpse into a future where such delays could become relics of the past.
What makes this collaboration stand out is its focus on automation as a strategic tool. Sapiens, known for its cutting-edge solutions, brings to the table a system designed to address Encova’s specific pain points. By integrating ATS, the insurer is poised to transform its approach to system upgrades, ensuring that software quality doesn’t take a backseat to speed. This isn’t just about one company’s success—it’s about setting a benchmark for others in the sector to follow.
The broader implications are striking. As more insurers witness the potential of automated testing, the industry could see a wave of modernization efforts. Encova’s journey with Sapiens might inspire a domino effect, pushing competitors to rethink their own testing frameworks. This partnership, in essence, serves as a catalyst for a much-needed evolution in insurance technology.
Tackling the Testing Bottleneck: A Persistent Industry Challenge
Delving deeper, the core issue for Encova—and many insurers—lies in the grueling process of regression testing. Each time a system update rolls out, teams must painstakingly verify that new changes don’t disrupt existing functionalities. This manual effort often stretches over weeks, draining resources and stalling other critical projects. For a company like Encova, operating in a fast-moving market, such delays can mean missed opportunities.
The stakes are high in an era where customer expectations demand near-instantaneous updates and seamless experiences. A 2023 industry report by Deloitte highlighted that 68% of insurance firms struggle with testing inefficiencies, directly impacting their ability to innovate. Encova’s situation mirrors this trend, with past upgrades revealing the urgent need for a faster, more reliable solution. The pressure to stay competitive only amplifies this challenge.
This is where the narrative shifts from problem to potential. By partnering with Sapiens, Encova is addressing a systemic issue head-on. The move away from manual testing isn’t just a temporary fix—it’s a structural change aimed at long-term resilience. Understanding this context reveals why the industry is watching this collaboration with keen interest.
Unveiling the Solution: Sapiens’ Automated Testing Services
Now, let’s explore the innovation driving this change: Sapiens’ Automated Testing Services (ATS). Tailored for Encova’s CoreSuite for Workers’ Compensation—a cloud-enabled digital platform with components like PolicyPro and ClaimsPro—ATS introduces a pre-built regression test suite. Updated with each product release and customized to fit Encova’s unique configurations, this tool drastically cuts down testing timelines, often by half, according to early projections.
The mechanics of ATS are equally impressive. Built on Microsoft Playwright, a widely respected open-source testing framework, and enhanced by a proprietary Sapiens structure, it ensures consistent coverage and repeatability—hallmarks missing in manual processes. Every test cycle delivers uniform results, minimizing human error and elevating the quality of software releases. This technological backbone is a game-changer for operational precision.
Beyond the tech, Sapiens offers hands-on support to ensure Encova’s team can sustain this innovation. Training programs empower in-house staff to develop automated test cases for custom code, fostering independence over time. With the first major test cycle already in progress in 2025, the results of this rollout are expected to provide concrete evidence of ATS’s impact by the end of the current upgrade phase. This practical application underscores the solution’s real-world value.
Leadership Perspectives: Shared Vision for Success
Voices from the top echo the excitement surrounding this initiative. Ramu Lingala, Encova’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, praises Sapiens as a trusted ally in modernization efforts. “Their Automated Testing Services allow a significant reduction in testing workload, letting the focus shift to business-critical goals,” Lingala notes. This endorsement reflects confidence in the partnership’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
On the other side, Roni Al-Dor, President and CEO of Sapiens, shares a similar enthusiasm. “Strengthening ties with Encova through ATS enables clients to upgrade more often and adapt quickly to market needs,” Al-Dor states. This alignment of vision between the two leaders highlights a mutual commitment to pushing boundaries in insurance tech. Their words paint a picture of a collaboration rooted in shared ambition.
These insights from leadership add a layer of credibility to the endeavor. Both parties see ATS not just as a tool, but as a strategic asset capable of reshaping operational priorities. Their unified outlook suggests that this partnership could serve as a model for how technology providers and insurers can work together to solve entrenched challenges.
Practical Steps: Making the Most of Automation
For Encova, and potentially other insurers, the journey with ATS involves a clear roadmap to maximize benefits. The first step is seamless integration with existing systems, as seen with the CoreSuite for Workers’ Compensation. Aligning the automated suite with current platforms ensures minimal disruption during implementation, setting a solid foundation for success.
Next, leveraging Sapiens’ tailored training is crucial. By equipping internal teams with skills to create custom test cases, Encova reduces reliance on external support over time. This builds a culture of self-sufficiency, ensuring that automation becomes a core competency rather than a temporary fix. Regular performance reviews during test cycles further refine the process, optimizing efficiency with each upgrade.
Finally, the real win lies in redirecting saved resources toward innovation. With manual testing burdens lifted, Encova can channel efforts into developing new products or enhancing customer experiences. This strategic pivot is the ultimate goal of automation, turning operational gains into competitive advantages. Other insurers looking to follow suit can adopt this blueprint to unlock similar potential.
Looking back, the collaboration between Encova Insurance and Sapiens International Corporation stood as a defining moment in tackling software testing inefficiencies. Reflecting on their journey through 2025, the deployment of Automated Testing Services proved to be a bold step toward operational excellence. For Encova, the next chapter involved scaling this automation across other systems, while for the industry, it opened doors to broader adoption of such technologies. The path forward demanded continuous evaluation of ATS outcomes, ensuring that each upgrade cycle built on lessons learned. As insurers navigated an ever-evolving landscape, embracing partnerships like this one became essential to staying ahead of the curve.
