TECHNOLOGY
BENEFITFOCUS
Benefitfocus, one of the fast-
est-growing technology-related
companies in South Carolina, has
become a leader in the trillion-dol-
lar healthcare industry by offering
software and solutions that enhance
the efficiency and profitability of a
company’s operations.
Headquartered on Daniel Island,
Benefitfocus works with large,
multinational employers and with
leading health insurance companies
Automated Trad-
ing Desk’s innova-
to streamline benefits enrollment,
tive approach to
eligibility, billing and data exchange.
trading puts them
at the forefront
Benefitfocus, which designed its
of the automated
applications to be simple but effec-
trading industry.
tive, has experienced phenomenal
growth by delivering world-class
customer service, providing the best
AUTOMATED technological solution, ATD offers
technology available and operating a
TRADING DESK its clients ever-increasing speed, su-
financially responsible company.
Automated Trading Desk, a Mount perior reliability, unique capabilities
Today’s marketplace requires
Pleasant-based company located and the opportunity to grow and
unique solutions that Benefitfocus’
on a sprawling 17-acre technology prosper in despite a volatile trading
“Quote to Claim” can provide.
campus, is a leader in the ever-grow- environment.
Using this application, companies
ing automated trading industry. As increasing numbers of investors
can automate business processes,
ATD’s innovative approach of leave traditional stockbrokers be-
reduce operating costs and pro-
teaching computers how to trade hind and take advantage of all that
vide accurate health information.
like humans–but at phenomenal automated trading offers, increasing
Benefitfocus’ consumer-driven
speeds–was once considered to be numbers of competitors are also
philosophy allows both customers
an untenable approach to trad- emerging. ATD stays at the front of
and individuals to take control of
ing at best and an impossible task the pack by emphasizing its role as a
their healthcare options through the
at worst. But ATD, a pioneer in technology company that specializes
use of decision-making tools.
the industry in 1988, pressed on, in trading equity securities rather
Benefitfocus serves nearly 90,000
prepared for the future and eventu- than a trading company that special-
employer groups and 150 insurance
ally quieted its doubters. izes in technology.
carriers throughout the United
ATD’s unique pricing engine A new chapter in the ATD story
States and in 26 other countries.
technology enables the company to was written in January 2007, when
The history of Benefitfocus dates
fully analyze the markets, manage Technology Crossover Ventures,
to 1988, when Mason Holland
risk and capitalize on extremely thin based in Palo Alto, Calif., invested
formed American Pensions, Inc.,
margins. It certainly doesn’t hurt $60 million in the company, allow-
South Carolina’s largest pension
that ATD is dedicated to maintain- ing ATD to establish sales and trad-
administration and consulting firm.
ing the trust of its clients and to ing operations that focus on mutual
Not long afterward, Holland and
delivering high-quality services. funds, pensions and other programs
API Vice President Shawn Jenkins
Indeed, the company is obsessed to help provide more investing
recognized the need to offer their
with keeping its position at the opportunities for its customers and
customers additional services. As
forefront of trading technology shareholders. The investment also
demand for these services increased,
development and with continuously positions ATD to purchase some
the need for a separate applica-
redefining the future of automated of its competitors, if the company
tion focusing on corporate benefit
trading. Combining traders, aca- chooses to move in that direction.
administration became obvious.
demics and programmers into one
Holland and Jenkins partnered
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ECN_55_Technology.indd 56 3/20/08 3:22:13 PM
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