TECHNOLOGY
Faster, more accurate billing cycles? Here’s how
Billing has always been a headache for insurance businesses. But in light of factors like a widespread digital transformation and a health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers have had to face a number of unique challenges over their money matters.
These include cost pressures, billing for new policies that are more flexible and standalone in nature, and responsive billing processes for a demanding insurance market. In addition, insurers are in intense competition with each other. It’s currently a race to see who can leverage their agility and tech-savviness to win over the most customers and secure the most revenue.
Mastering your insurance organization’s billing cycle is one of the best ways to improve your business performance. By rethinking your billing and revenue management, you’ll be able to reduce administrative costs for handling bills, identify revenue-making opportunities, and cultivate the trust of multiple generations of insurance customers.
To that end, here are five ways to achieve faster and more accurate billing cycles. Practice these today in order to improve your company’s billing and revenue management processes.
Manage Your Billing and Revenue Management from a Dedicated SolutionFirst, you will want to veer away from doing your billing and revenue management on a monolithic or outdated legacy system. It would be a good idea to invest in a more agile digital insurance platform that can perform these functions with greater efficiency than your current tech stack.
There are several billing and revenue-related advantages to upgrading your insurance solution. For one, you’ll be able to use a dedicated pricing engine to ascribe the right prices for your customers according to their evolving insurance needs.
For another, the solution will allow you to manage a large volume of bills according to the scale of your insurance business.
You’ll also be able to automate the rote tasks in your billing cycle so that they can be addressed quickly, and their resolution won’t be as susceptible to human error.
And lastly, it will be easier to maneuver your billing arrangements for different policies and premiums based on all the different federal rules. Arrangements that insurers usually find difficult to handle—for example, stop loss coverage for Administrative Services Only (ASO) and billing hierarchies for enterprise-level insurance plans—will be a breeze with upgraded insurance software.
Achieve Full Configuration of Your Billing Policies
The second thing you will want to do is to set sure parameters for your billing policies. You can adjust them as necessary, but whatever iteration you uphold has to be followed by your personnel.
Some examples of parameters that you should revisit are the following:
● Which day of the month to send each customer their bill. It can be the same day of the month that a customer first enrolled (for example, the 25th of each month if your customer signed up for their insurance plan on the 25th of January), or on the same day for all corporate policyholders for a particular insurance category.
● How often to bill customers if monthly billing is not the default in their arrangement.
● Minimum amounts that will require billing.
Supplement Your Billing Cycle Management with Improved Revenue Management Processes
Billing and revenue management are closely related processes, because both have to do with ensuring that your company makes a sustainable profit. Thus, it’s only right to supplement any changes you make to your current billing protocols with necessary changes to your revenue management strategy.
Some improvements that you can make as early as today are:
● Find a way to consolidate your accounts receivable (AR) for your individual customers and your corporate clients.
● Detect revenue leakages between billing cycles. It would be good to find out the common causes of missed payments, such as failed credit card payments, and ensure that your customers can find other ways to pay on time.
● Identify opportunities to improve monthly revenues through billing, such as sending auto-reminders to customers when it’s almost time to pay their bill.
Strengthen the Customer Management Aspect of Your Billing and Collection Protocols
Yet another helpful thing that you can do for your insurance company is to ensure that up-to-date customer enrollment data is fully incorporated into your billing processes. This will result in efficient and personalized billing experiences for your insurance customers.
Make your billing process align with pricing strategies for particular categories of customers, for example by tier or based on their age. You can also ensure that your billing system quickly accommodates changes to pricing based on life events. The more responsive your billing process is to your customers’ life circumstances, the better they’ll be at paying the correct amount at the right time. Don’t lose sight of how important your customers are in your billing cycle.
Be Conscientious About Your Financial Reporting for Billing and Revenue Management Processes
Lastly, for best results, you will want to monitor any changes you make to your billing and revenue management processes. This is the only way that you will be able to determine how successful your billing process is.
For example, you can keep an online ledger that shows you and your staff what your insurance organization’s financial health looks like based on its billing and collection. From here, you will be able to see if there’s any need for your company to re-tailor its billing and revenue management processes.
Conclusion: Increase Your Insurance Business’s Value Through its Billing and Revenue Management System
These are indeed challenging times for insurers, but they can definitely build their business value by improving their financial housekeeping skills.
Knowing that, make billing and revenue management priority areas for your company, and strive to do better for each billing cycle that comes around.
TECHNOLOGY
inDrive is 4th most downloaded travel app in PH
2:11 p.m. February 12, 2026
WITH over four million installations in 2025 alone, inDrive ranked fourth among the most downloaded travel apps in the Philippines, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.
This ranking underscores Filipino users’ growing demand for inDrive to expand beyond ride-hailing as it evolves into a mobility super app.
inDrive also remained the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app for the fourth straight year. It also climbed from fifth to fourth place among the top travel apps globally and topped this category in Pakistan, Peru, Egypt, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, and Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on this milestone, inDrive Founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky said, “This recognition reflects the trust people place in our platform and the continued dedication of our global team. As inDrive evolves into a super app, we remain focused on our core principles of fairness, transparency, and user choice while expanding access to services that make a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives.”
Full Speed Ahead as inDrive Evolves into a SuperApp
With inDrive growing its user base year-on-year, the app has begun expanding its services beyond ride-hailing in other key markets. Among these new offerings is inDrive.Ads, an in-app advertising platform. By generating new income streams, inDrive can keep its take rate among the lowest in the industry while supporting long-term sustainability for riders, drivers, and local communities.
Now live in 20 countries, including the Philippines, inDrive.Ads plans to expand to all global markets within this year. On inDrive.Ads, ads appear across various screens in the funnel and include multiple-dimension banners featuring graphics and animation, with transparent measurement tools built in.
Tomsky said in a statement, “Diversifying our business with a high-margin stream like Ads is an important step for inDrive. This new line gives us more flexibility to fund affordability at scale.”
Sofia Guinto, inDrive Philippines Country Representative, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “inDrive.Ads is our way of championing fairness and accessibility on all facets of our SuperApp. Through this, we can maintain fares that are both affordable for passengers and lucrative for our drivers and create equal opportunities for more people and brands.”
Beyond its global launch of inDrive.Ads, inDrive has also expanded into intercity transportation, courier and grocery delivery, and financial services in other global markets. These new services utilize artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to fix mapping gaps, improve ETA accuracy, anticipate user needs, and personalize solutions. Through these AI-powered offerings, inDrive continues to drive innovation while still giving users the freedom of choice in every ride.
Throughout the rest of 2026, inDrive will continue to update its features and grow its user base, becoming a true mobility superapp. Amid this shift, it ensures that all rollouts will be built around fairness, opportunity, and people’s real needs. For more updates on inDrive’s new offerings available in the Philippines, visit www.inDrive.com or follow @inDrive.ph on social media.
TECHNOLOGY
Google AI Tools open new frontiers for wildlife conservation in PH, Southeast Asia
2:22 p.m. February 5, 2026
The endangered hog deer was once plentiful throughout South and in Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan, Burma and Thailand. The species now faces serious decline and a loss in genetic diversity.
As the Philippines continues to battle biodiversity loss, Google has announced a major step forward in using AI to preserve endangered species. Through a partnership with the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP), Google is providing advanced AI tools and funding to sequence the genetic codes of threatened animals, a move that holds significant promise for conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the Philippines.
Scientists predict that up to one million species globally face extinction. To combat this, Google is deploying AI technologies—including DeepPolisher, DeepVariant, and DeepConsensus—to make genomic sequencing faster, more accurate, and more affordable.
This process allows researchers to create a “biological instruction manual” for species, vital for designing effective conservation strategies.
Regional Impact for Southeast Asia. The initiative has already successfully sequenced 13 endangered species, several of which are native to the broader Southeast Asian region, highlighting the technology’s relevance to local ecosystems:
● The Elongated Tortoise: A critically endangered reptile native to Southeast Asia, currently the focus of captive breeding and reintroduction efforts.
● The Hog Deer: Once plentiful across South and Southeast Asia, this species now faces serious decline and loss of genetic diversity.
● Eld’s Deer: An endangered deer species indigenous to the region that requires breeding and conservation plan to survive.
Expanding the Safety Net. In addition to the initial species, Google.org has awarded the AI for Science fund to The Rockefeller University to expand this work to 150 additional species. This expansion opens the door for more unique wildlife—potentially including species found in the Philippines—to benefit from genomic preservation.
TECHNOLOGY
Infinix unveils XPAD Edge, its first 13.2-inch PC-level tablet redefining workplace productivity
12:01 p.m. February 2, 2026
Infinix today announced the launch of its first 13.2-inch ultra-slim productivity tablet, Infinix XPAD Edge. Featuring a 13.2-inch FHD+ (Full High Definition Plus) display, a sleek 6.19 mm metallic body, and a lightweight 588g design, XPAD Edge delivers the ideal balance of mobility and performance.With all-scenario 4G connectivity, the tablet redefines mobile productivity for modern creators, professionals, and learners.
Its detachable keyboard with touchpad transforms it into a true PC-level device, delivering a seamless workplace productivity experience, while combining cutting-edge technology and accessibility to give users greater freedom and efficiency everywhere.
Large Display, Ultra-Slim Design, and Productivity on the Go
Designed for today’s dynamic hybrid workforce, XPAD Edge enables users to work and learn efficiently anywhere. Measuring only 6.19mm thin and weighing 588g, it slips easily into a backpack or briefcase. Its 8000 mAh battery and all-scenario 4G connectivity provide lasting power and reliable access whether in a café, during travel, or at a remote worksite.
Furthermore, the expansive 13.2-inch 3:2 aspect-ratio display mirrors the proportions of a traditional PC screen, offering a broad workspace for documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
With rich color reproduction and optimized contrast, every detail appears vivid and clear. Certified by TÜV Rheinland for low blue light and flicker-free performance, the XPAD Edge display filters up to 70% of harmful short-wave blue light and addresses the often-overlooked issue of screen flicker—helping to reduce eye fatigue during long working hours.
Inspired by the colors and light of the cosmos, the XPAD Edge is presented in the “Celestial Ink” colorway, refined metallic finish combines deep hues with a matte texture, blending technology with elegance in a minimalist design that suits both professional and personal settings.
PC-Level Experience for Smarter Workflows
Building on its ultra-slim design, XPAD Edge transforms mobile work into a truly PC-level experience. Designed as a versatile productivity hub, it brings together portability and power for efficient hybrid work and learning. Pre-installed WPS Office and an optimized task interface allow users to edit documents, manage files, and collaborate with ease. Whether preparing presentations, reviewing reports, or managing creative projects, XPAD Edge delivers a fast, intuitive, and professional workflow in every environment.
XPAD Edge supports split-screen, Parallel Windows, and multi-task drag-and-drop operations, maximizing the 13.2-inch large display for parallel applications. Within a single interface, users can browse data, take notes, and edit webpages effortlessly.
For external productivity, XPAD Edge supports Wireless Second Screen for PC*, enabling content mirroring or extension for meetings, design work, or entertainment. Users can also connect keyboards, mice, and other peripherals for a smooth, desktop-like experience that enhances both comfort and control.
In addition, XPAD Edge pairs seamlessly with the X Keyboard 20 to provide a flexible and natural writing experience. The magnetic keyboard and stylus combine precision with comfort, allowing users to take notes, sketch, or edit content with accuracy. Whether working in a café, classroom, or creative studio, XPAD Edge enables users to enjoy the freedom and efficiency of a complete mobile office anywhere.
COA files 4 fraud audit reports worth over ₱275 million for Bulacan flood control projects
inDrive is 4th most downloaded travel app in PH
ILO study says TNVS drivers earn way above minimum wage
