ONTARIO TEACHERS INSURANCE PLAN
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One particular innovation which had a large impact is what OTIP calls ‘ middleware ’. In the wake of its increasing membership , Rous says , data was being collected in very large quantities from over 70 school boards and across four separate teaching unions . It was soon discovered that some of the information had been transmitted incorrectly , causing hardship to members who were unable to access the benefits they needed . “ We took a step back and said , ‘ our members are in a crisis ’,” she says , “ We needed to own this , and come up with a creative solution to solve this problem .” What resulted was the development of a unique computer programme which allowed OTIP to maximise its capacity for data processing , allowing the company itself to produce a member ’ s eligibility for benefits . “ OTIP is ‘ in the middle ’ between the school board and the member and that is how the term ‘ middleware ’ got coined ,” explains Rous . “ Now , instead of relying on others to ensure our members ’ information is accurate , OTIP has taken
APRIL 2020