Markerstudy Distribution’s Successful Partnership with NashTech

Industry

Introduction

MSD’s relationship with NashTech has proven to be a game-changer, helping them scale their development capabilities, access cutting-edge technologies, and maintain a competitive edge in the fast-evolving insurance market. The partnership continues to grow, delivering substantial benefits and transforming how MSD operates across various business functions.

Background

Markerstudy Distribution (MSD), a UK-based leader in the insurance industry, faced growing challenges as its business expanded. They recognised the need for a highly skilled, adaptable offshore development team to help manage their increasing data demands, improve business processes, and maintain their competitive edge. This led them to seek a strategic partnership with NashTech, a global technology services provider specialising in software development, data, and digital transformation.

The Challenge

MSD’s rapid growth and expansion meant that they needed a scalable and cost-effective solution to manage complex projects across various business functions. Initially, they required a small team to help with specific tasks. However, as the needs of the business evolved, they realised they required a much broader skill set, including real-time pricing development, data expertise, business analysis, and quality assurance. Additionally, they needed a partner who could help drive innovation and provide cutting-edge solutions without the burden of extensive internal recruitment and training processes.

The Solution

The partnership began with a small squad of developers, testers, business analysts, and a scrum master but quickly expanded as MSD recognised the depth of expertise NashTech could bring. Now, the collaboration spans nearly 60 individuals across various disciplines in Vietnam, forming an embedded digital squad that has grown to include teams for pricing, data, business analysis, quality assurance, and more.

Explore MSD’s most critical business projects and discover how NashTech has played a key role in their success. Read more here:

NashTech’s ongoing investment in research and development (R&D), particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), allowed MSD to benefit from innovations they would not have had the time or resources to pursue independently. The collaboration has focused on using AI to improve the development process and optimise operations, resulting in increased efficiency and higher-quality outcomes.

“I was really impressed with the team’s ability to learn and their proactive approach. They followed instructions, questioned things that didn’t make sense, and even made suggestions for better solutions”
Ally Wu, Head of Data Engineering and Architecture, at MSD

The Benefits

Cost Effectiveness: NashTech has consistently provided competitive rates, even after renegotiating contracts. MSD values this partnership as it allows them to receive high-quality development work without the heavy costs typically associated with such services.

Scalability: NashTech’s flexible approach allows MSD to quickly scale teams based on project needs. What would have traditionally taken six to nine months to recruit and train new staff can now be done rapidly with NashTech, ensuring that the teams are always aligned with business priorities.

Embedded Teams: With a strong, embedded function in Vietnam, MSD can easily supplement teams or spin up new ones, all while maintaining familiarity and efficiency. This has resulted in smoother integrations and quicker project delivery.

Quality and Expertise: One of the most significant benefits MSD has gained from working with NashTech is the high level of expertise and the ability to challenge existing processes. MSD appreciates how NashTech does not simply agree with them but provides valuable insights and guidance, ensuring the best possible outcomes. The quality and velocity of work from the Vietnamese teams have been consistently praised, even surpassing the standards of the UK teams.

“NashTech has become an integral part of our delivery, significantly shaping our culture and the evolution of our development and technology functions. The maturity of their work in Vietnam and beyond has had a profound impact on our ways of working, influencing not only our approach to coding but also how we collaborate—both internally across teams and externally with third parties essential to our success.”
Jeff Mountford, Broker Systems Director at MSD

Recent feedback from MSD team members who visited Vietnam highlighted the exceptional quality and velocity of work provided by the Vietnamese teams. Having worked with numerous offshore and UK-based teams in the past, they were impressed by the skill set and efficiency of the NashTech team.

“The work ethic I’ve seen from the team is the best I’ve ever experienced. Their dedication and commitment are truly outstanding.”
Jason Bloor, Broker Systems Consultant at MSD

The Outcome

Now, the six-year partnership with NashTech has been instrumental in MSD’s digital transformation journey. The success of this collaboration has allowed MSD to support their pricing teams, data teams, and automated testing with confidence, knowing that they will receive high-value, high-quality solutions. The flexibility, innovation, and cost-effectiveness of the relationship have made NashTech the first partner MSD turns to for new challenges.

Conclusion

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