Technology forecaster Dan Burrus put it best when he said, “The status quo has been shattered by technological change.” And change is a good thing.

Never before have we seen this point so clearly made as in the moments and days following the recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. Our front row seat via the media’s fish-eye lens has shown the benefits of technology in dire circumstances. We were not only instantly able to see what was happening through cell phone cameras and video, but to act by speeding aid as quickly as humanly possible.

Almost instantaneously, the Red Cross began receiving donations via text with $10 added to the sender’s cell phone bill. The genius is the speed and simplicity of the transaction. By 1/21, more than $4 million had been raised. Haitian-born artist Wyclef Jean’s charity, Yele Haiti, had raised $2 million by 1/15 through texting. An online poll by the Jamaica Observer found that one-third of contributors were donating via text. Americans are truly giving, and technology has allowed that generosity to meet needs and save lives faster than ever before.

Smartphone access allowed one victim buried in the rubble to look up first aid information and treat himself. High-tech, sound-sensitive equipment allowed rescue workers to pinpoint victims’ locations to safely extract them well past expected survival times. And the list goes on.

Claims Advisor readers, whether in the field or office, understand better than most how technology can be employed to help people in their most traumatic and vulnerable moments. In his book Technotrends, Burrus said, “…anyone, regardless of technical background, can creatively apply technology to gain the upper hand.” In this issue, we explore that creative application for the benefit of our clients. In catastrophes or in day-to-day business, it serves us well.

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Until next time...

Bevrlee J. Lips
Publisher/Editor