Hitachi Consulting UK Helps JLT Further Extend the Benefits of BenPal via the iPhone Platform

Hitachi Consulting UK Helps JLT Further Extend the Benefits of BenPal via the iPhone Platform
LONDON, UK — 9 June, 2010 — Hitachi Consulting UK today announced the development and delivery of a standalone version of the BenPal pension modeller for use on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch platforms for JLT Benefit Solutions Limited. The new modeller is a standalone version of the existing enterprise class integrated pension and benefits management system that HCUK originally designed and built with JLT, delivered as an iPhone application available for download free in the iTunes App Store from 7th June.

The BenPal modeller allows an employee to determine the projected value of their pension based upon a number of simple facts about themselves and their pension scheme and provides the employee with a rich, graphical interface which can be used to model the effect of changes in contribution, retirement age and other variables on the final value of their pension. The modeller can also be used to determine what the employee would need to contribute in order to retire with a pension of a certain value.

HCUK was appointed by JLT to scope, design and build an iPhone version of the original modeller, taking into account BenPal’s look and feel, to reflect the central branding and creative imagery. The project, adhering to Apple’s development and human interface guidelines, was completed within eight weeks, which included the design and build of a calculation engine and automated testing.

Charlie Carrick, solutions director at JLT Online Benefits, said, “The best way to encourage UK employees to engage with their pension is to make it simple to understand and easy to access. With the BenPal system already available to clients via iPhones, as well as PCs and laptops, the development of a modeller application is a natural progression for us. We hope it helps the wider community to appreciate that pensions planning in a defined contribution world means taking greater responsibility and personal control, and having a bit of fun at the same time.”

Mark Smith, Enterprise Solutions Operation Director, Hitachi Consulting UK, commented, “This was a great project to embark on with JLT which delivers real benefits in an intuitive way. This first version of the iPhone pension modeller provides a platform for possible next steps such as integration with the BenPal online system, modelling other benefits and of course an iPad version.”

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About JLT Group plc
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc (JLT) is an international group of Risk Specialists and Employee Benefits Consultants and one of the largest companies of its type in the world. JLT offers a distinctive choice to clients and partners through our combination of independence, scale and specialism. Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and employs 6000 people worldwide and through JLT NetworkTM provides services in more than 120 countries. http://www.jltgroup.com

About Hitachi Consulting Corporation
As Hitachi, Ltd.'s (NYSE: HIT) global consulting company, with operations in the United States, Europe and Asia, Hitachi Consulting is a recognized leader in delivering proven business and IT strategies and solutions to
 
Global 2000 companies across many industries. With a balanced view of strategy, people, process and technology, we work with companies to understand their unique business needs, and to develop and implement practical business strategies and technology solutions. From business strategy development through application deployment, our consultants are committed to helping clients quickly realize measurable business value and achieve sustainable ROI.
Hitachi Consulting's client base includes 25 percent of the Global 100 as well as many leading mid-market companies. We offer a client-focused, collaborative approach and transfer knowledge throughout each engagement. For more information visit www.hitachiconsulting.com

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2009 (ended March 31, 2010) consolidated revenues totaled 8,968 billion yen ($96.4 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.