Description: A serious problem facing the actuary when his or her company converts to on line transactions processing is that of how to minimize human errors. This paper explains how the availability of the various reserve and cash value factor files in an on line environment permit better checking than has been possible in the past.

Description: This panel discussion was session number 3 at the 2004 Society of Actuaries Spring Meeting, held in San Antonio, TX June 14-15. The panelists explored the problems between actuaries and IT people, how neither either understands the other's perspective, with frustrating results for both sides. But the speakers feel that, “with some tolerance and understanding, both can profit from the other's approach.” A theme in the discussion was that better communication will improve understanding. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 2.