Asurion Best Practices Award

2017 North American

Mobile Protection Services

Product Leadership Award

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Contents

Background and Company Performance ........................................................................ 3

Key Market Trends ............................................................................................... 3

Key Industry Challenges ....................................................................................... 3

Product Family Attributes and Business Impact of Asurion ......................................... 6

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 9

Significance of Product Leadership .............................................................................. 10

........................................................................................................................ 10

Understanding Product Leadership .............................................................................. 10

Key Benchmarking Criteria .................................................................................. 11

The Intersection between 360-Degree Research and Best Practices Awards ..................... 11

Research Methodology ........................................................................................ 11

Best Practices Recognition: 10 Steps to Researching, Identifying, and Recognizing Best

Practices ................................................................................................................. 12

About Frost & Sullivan .............................................................................................. 13

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Background and Company Performance

Key Market Trends

As smartphones emerge as the primary devices for consuming and creating content,

consumers are investing increasingly greater time and money into maintaining,

supporting, and protecting their devices. Smartphone adoption marches forward among

mobile phone users and is expected to exceed 90% penetration in the United States (US)

by 2020 according to Frost & Sullivan research.

1

With average revenue per unit (ARPU)

trending downward for North American telecommunications (telecom) carriers in recent

years,

2

companies are looking for avenues to boost margins and steal market share in the

already saturated marketplaces. Competing carriers—reaching parity in device offerings—

are searching for new opportunities to engage customers and reduce costs while

supporting the core smartphone business as it evolves. Consumers are increasingly hard

to satisfy and increasingly are willing to change carriers. Looking to boost ARPU, carriers

recognize that customer experience enhancements and value added services are critical to

increase revenues and reduce churn.

Key Industry Challenges

Increasing Smartphone Incidents

As users demonstrate increased attachment to the device, they bring it into more riskier

situations and make their device more susceptible to incidents of loss, theft, and damage.

Almost 25% of smart device owners have experienced devices damage

3

, and millions of

smartphones are lost or stolen each year in the US.

4

Concurrently, Frost & Sullivan

research indicates that average smartphone users spend no more than 6 hours away from

devices per day. Theft of the high-end “iconic” devices is increasing in major cities,

underlining the expense and high aftermarket resale value. Growing screen sizes increase

the surface area of the sensitive touchscreen glass and make devices more prone to

physical damage. Users constantly carrying devices into vulnerable circumstances offset

durability gains made with material and manufacturing design. Incidents of theft, loss, and

damage have surged and emerged as a major issue for users and are a recurring hurdle

for carriers.

1

The Global Need for Mobile Support and Protection Services: From Handset Protection to Mobile Technology

Support and Beyond (Frost & Sullivan, January 2015).

2

North American Mobile Trackers, Q4 2016: Continued Growth of Smartphones, Mobile Computing, and M2M

Communications (Frost & Sullivan, March 2017).

3

2016 Asurion Mobile Claims Data.

4

Inside the Vast (and Growing) Global Trade in Stolen Smart Phones, National Geographic, September 9, 2015.

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Managing Device Complexity

Frost & Sullivan research suggests that the average smartphone users tap into only 30%

of devices’ capabilities

5

. First generations of smartphones on the market featured single

processors, few multimedia capabilities, operated on slower 2.5G or 3G networks, and

featured limited interoperability with other connected products. Current smartphones

operate with quad-core processing capabilities, dedicated processing for multimedia

services, abundant gigabits of RAM, high-definition displays, integrated WI-FI and LTE

data services, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to sensors and integration

capabilities with connected devices, home, and auto systems. The dramatic technology

expansion creates a paradox in that users cannot or do not understand how to make use

of the plethora of possible functions. Carriers and device manufacturers preload some

configurations, but leave users alone for more complex functions and connections—a

significant challenge for many consumers. Frost & Sullivan research finds that one in three

consumers report problems or questions with their smartphones at least once per month.

Contemporary market trends point to the need for premium technical support for

managing device capabilities, configurations, software, and realizing the fullest utilization

of the pricey device.

Loss of Data

The important consumer data stored on smartphones increases and remains open to

vulnerabilities, resulting in loss or corruption. With greater amounts of data on

smartphones, it becomes increasingly frustrating for users to replace or reenter it into new

devices, in addition to anxiety arising from lost information and memories. Sensitive

personal or corporate data is at risk for compromise or theft, exacerbated by increasing

threats from mobile malware and malicious actors. Thus, security solutions for the

physical device and the data stored on it will only become more important, necessitating

robust and always-on security/remote monitoring capabilities.

Supporting Mobile Applications

The array of choices of mobile native apps both benefits and bewilders consumers. Market

trends show the need for a simple resource for consumers to consult with in managing

and supporting the mobile experience. Frost & Sullivan research indicates that most

smartphone owners will abandon an app after an average of three attempts at resolving a

problem. Users consult their carriers, in addition to a circle of friends and family, for

issues with using the device even if the issue arises with a third-party app. Unsecure or

problematic apps represent a latent threat and source of frustration for unfamiliar mobile

users. Consumers need knowledge about privacy settings, customization, general best

practices, and recommendations. A clear necessity exists for an effective and unified

support system, to help users best utilize apps and ensure security.

5

The Global Need for Mobile Support and Protection Services: From Handset Protection to Mobile Technology

Support and Beyond (Frost & Sullivan, January 2015).

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Key Solution Requirements

A new purchase to replace a damaged or missing device represents a particularly

unattractive and expensive proposition. Younger generations—particularly millennials—

expect communication services to match their on-demand, always-on lifestyle; and

consumers are frustrated by the slightest interruption of service and point of friction or

inflexibility in the real-time digital economy.

6

In North America and other developed

markets, carriers have removed the device subsidy for contract renewal and have

transitioned to installment plans. This transition makes consumers more price conscious

about the cost of the device throughout its lifecycle, and results in longer upgrade cycles

and lengthening ownership periods. Greater consumer outlay is pushing a burgeoning

market for consumers and enterprises to insure and repair their device investments to

minimize usage interruptions. Moreover, the decreasing upgrade rates and slower pace of

feature innovation is forcing carriers to consider ancillary service options and reduce

friction points to retain customers and generate brand loyalty.

From pure insurance to comprehensive repair and support plans, mobile protection

providers have grown in scope and depth in response to smartphone penetration in

developed markets. Protection providers recognize that merely financing device

replacement fails to meet and satisfy consumer expectations and the longer the duration

without a smartphone the more frustrated the consumer becomes. As device capabilities

expand and data stored therein represents value, the smartphone becomes the key link in

consumer’s connected ecosystem of home, work, shopping, entertainment, and finance.

Users need targeted help and support to realize the full potential of device capabilities and

applications (apps). Conversely, the mountain of Big Data created and filtered through the

user’s smartphone represents innumerable potential untapped possibilities for value-added

services and personalization. Predictive analytics based on consumer behavior data will

make customer care and anticipatory recommendations significantly more targeted,

moving toward an entirely personalized “customer segment of one” and opening new

opportunities for value-added services.

7

Frost & Sullivan research believes that managing these customer touch points in the

sensitive moments of smartphone loss/damage affords carriers a critical opportunity to

reduce customer churn effectively and increase satisfaction. Mobile protection providers

must deliver more targeted, higher-value-added support, and protection plans to create

results for carriers. The costs of customer care and device concessions continue to vex

carriers; thus, protection providers strive to create value opportunities that reduce

headaches for carriers and sales representatives outside their core competency. Frost &

Sullivan research specifies that mobile support and protection offerings must consider four

essential pillars: mobile handset protection, mobile data protection, mobile application

support, and mobile device support.

8

6

What Millennials Want that Your Systems Can’t Deliver: Flexibility at a Whole New Level (Frost & Sullivan, June

2016).

7

Outlook for New Business Models and Consumer Driven Strategies in Digital Consumer Lifestyle: Striving for New

Business Models Built on Trust (Frost & Sullivan, November 2016).

8

The Global Need for Mobile Support and Protection Services: From Handset Protection to Mobile Technology

Support and Beyond (Frost & Sullivan, January 2015).

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Product Family Attributes and Business Impact of Asurion

Impressing Frost & Sullivan with its key value proposition, Asurion goes beyond simply

minimizing a pain-point for carriers and turns customer interactions into strength with its

best-in-class insurance/repair services and innovative, personalized help for all a

consumers’ technology needs. The company makes its white-label services vital tools for

end-users, driving greater loyalty and retention for carriers. Since its founding in 1994,

Asurion has operated with a continuity of leadership under its CEO and co-founder to grow

from a 40 employee shop to a full-serve technology provider with more than 17,000

employees and 305 million customers in 18 countries across the globe. Frost & Sullivan

recognized Asurion in previous years for its visionary innovation in retail product

protection and product leadership in mobile support and is further commending the

company for its continued leadership within this marketspace.

Best-In-Class Insurance and Repair Services

Single-device Protection

The coverage network of Asurion’s insurance and repair capabilities exists in parallel with

the coverage network of telecom carriers. At a scale and scope that meet consumers

across the country, Asurion maintains its core competency second to none in delivering

traditional services for smartphone insurance, repair, and replacement. The claim filing,

repair, and replacement experiences are fraught situations for consumers with damaged

or lost phone, and Asurion assuages anxiety with a simple file claims process and same

unit repair or replacement. With many phone-damage situations—most common of which

is screen damage—Asurion offers options for carry-in service to a certified partner or to

schedule a time for a technician to come to the consumer and conveniently repair the

device on-site. Many on-site and carry-in repairs take place as soon as the same day, and

often within hours. As a part of a prepaid bundle, consumers never pay the technician,

receive original equipment manufacturer parts, and receive a 12-month warranty on

repairs. Another option for customers, Asurion offers to protect devices already owned and

brought to the carrier. A Device Health Check, run at the point of sale, reduces fraud on

nonfunctional devices, ensures functionality, and activates protection like any new device

on the carrier’s network, and includes an equal level of same-model repair/replacement.

Protection and Support

Asurion maintains the largest service network for mobile devices across the US, leveraging

a wealth of tech expertise and infrastructure. If a consumer is eligible, a brand new

replacement phone arrives as soon as 24 hours after submitting a claim. Asurion

coordinates a massive supply chain operation and has extensive inventory to deliver the

exact make, model, and color of device component to fix that cracked screen at the

consumer’s house. Onboarding support and next day delivery promote high levels of user

satisfaction with the carrier, as consumers feel unable to function with an impaired or

missing phone.

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Multi-user and Multi Device

Asurion extends its single device protection value proposition through its multi-user and

multi-device protection offerings. Multi-device protection covers damage claims and real-

time support on any three devices in the household; e.g., new or used tablets, laptops, or

televisions. Frost & Sullivan recognizes the flexibility Asurion affords carrier customers and

consumers with its multi-level capability. In many cases, simple repairs, such as the

classic cracked screen, do not require a total loss claim and fits into a multi-tiered

structure that eliminates the need for consumers to pay full price for a new device. Finally,

Asurion’s Lost & Found service requires no deductible or claim to file, and includes a

reward for the Good Samaritan finding and sending the phone to Asurion.

Reimagining How Consumers Interact with Technology and Support

Insights and Predictive Analysis

Asurion perceptively positions itself to help consumers navigate the technology world, with

the smartphone increasingly perceived as the integral link throughout countless aspects of

life. Under the branding of the carrier service, Asurion white-labels its integrated support

experience—the Soluto solution. The innovative Soluto platform helps people better utilize

and understand their relationship with technology, encouraging further and deeper

engagement rather than the call-center model of minimizing interaction. When consumers

need help setting up a new device, managing and using their devices, and cleaning up or

improving the performance, the Soluto goes beyond simple “tech support,” enabling users

to reach a technology expert in less than 20 seconds through an in-app chat, phone call,

or text message. Reportedly, 97% of tech issues achieve resolution in one interaction

through Soluto. Technology experts on the other side talk users through the fix or remote

into the device to demonstrate solutions or resolve issues. Impressively, Asurion designed

a system to deliver quick connection and high-resolution rates, at reasonable cost and

scale for tens of millions of interactions a year.

The foundation for Soluto rests in the purpose-built Big Data analytics and machine

learning “Brain.” The Brain harnesses the mountains of usage statistics data generated

every day and translates it into actionable intelligence for Soluto solutions. Constantly

personalizing and improving, the Brain delivers personalized tips and content to the right

person at the most optimized time for greatest effect. These insights leveraging Big Data

derive from a proprietary system for segmenting and individualizing customers for the

best anticipatory suggestions (i.e., how to connect a new smart TV with other smart

devices in the house) and preventative recommendations (i.e., how to keep from

exceeding data plan limits or improve battery life). For users that find smart home devices

time consuming and experience frustration with interoperability issues, Soluto makes the

mixed environment future possible with hardware and software agnostic support. Available

24/7, Soluto builds positive engagement for the carrier’s name, across brands and

platforms.

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Repeatable Value for Carriers and Consumers

In the long-term view, carriers can leverage Asurion’s portfolio of flexible solutions for

consumer lifecycle management, i.e., from purchase, to onboarding, tips and support,

breakage, and replacement. Soluto’s Brain, by design, continues to curate and refine the

personalization based on behavior patterns and consumption decisions the individual

makes, and how he/she evolves and changes through live events month-over-month, and

year-over-year. From a single individual to a family with multiple devices, consumers tap

into Asurion’s platform and infrastructure for a one stop solution for technology support

and utilization. Asurion customizes this comprehensive lifecycle approach based on the

carrier’s priorities and needs.

Onboarding new devices represents the most vexing hurdle for users and research shows

that users interact with smart devices in a constant quest for novel stimulation;

9

carriers

have yet to develop a service mechanism that sustains consumer excitement and taps into

repeatable engagement processes. The Soluto app offers a recurring stream of push

notifications, tips, suggestions, and new features to spur the same excitement every day

that users felt when first exploring their smartphone’s potential. Evergreen engagement,

based on machine learning and historical behavior to deliver personalized and relevant

content to each user, is driving exponential growth in consumer interactions with the app.

Beyond “tech support” or a self-help app, Soluto creates daily positive interactions with

customers for the carriers.

Curated By Human Touch

The service Asurion delivers through its Soluto support and traditional insurance process is

targeted by machine learning, but polished by true content experts. In a marriage of Big

Data and human talent, these experts curate the content, producing the reasoning and

thinking behind the tech solutions, articles of tips, and videos recommendations. The Brain

categorizes behavior patterns of individuals and cohorts, and discerns the optimal content

and time to send notifications. Moreover, Asurion’s technology experts populate the

Innovations Lab, where the experiments to test and fix technology problems take place

and content generation occurs. Experts in the Innovations Labs keep watchful eyes on the

latest technology releases and use cases, disseminated their learning and knowledge

rapidly for customers’ best usage, e.g., finding overnight software or app update causes

glitches in Australia and recommending users waking up in North America to wait for a

new patch release.

9

Alter, Adam. Irresistible: Why We Can’t Stop Checking, Scrolling, Clicking, and Watching. London: Bodley Head,

2017.; and De-Sola Gutirrez J, Rodrguez de Fonseca F, and G Rubio. 2016. "Cell-Phone Addiction: A Review".

Frontiers in

Psychiatry.

7.

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Asurion’s recruiting makes special effort to look for empathy as well as technological

proficiencies. In addition to retaining in-country knowledge hubs in Nashville, Las Vegas,

Phoenix, and Orlando, Asurion realizes that sterling service requires personalities whi ch

will fit in culturally with the emphasis on with patience and tech experience to provide

support. With high expectations, Asurion’s customer experience focused culture revolves

around six principles of communication that live on each employee’s desk: “Make it Easy,

Be Transparent, Know Me, Reassure Me, Help me Grow, and Surprise & Delight Me.” Frost

& Sullivan recognizes Asurion’s unique recruiting and training regime, and attention to

granular detail in examining employee performance and providing tools for success.

Conclusion

As telecommunications carriers increasingly compete on service offerings, they search for

avenues to lower costs and cultivate customer loyalty. Asurion pioneers device protection

and services evolution, delivering to consumers the best-in-class protection and insurance

as well as innovative, personalized technology support. In the core competency of

insurance claim, repair, and replacement process, Asurion provides on-site and even same

day assistance. Asurion further benefits its partners with its forward-thinking approach to

consumer support: Soluto. A platform automated with Big Data and curated by technology

experts, Soluto binds services together in one channel, under the carrier’s brand, to

increase loyalty and retention rates.

With its attention to detail in core insurance and repair functions, strong customer-focused

support, and advanced Soluto support and user engagement platform, Asurion earns Frost

& Sullivan’s 2017 North America Product Leadership Award in mobile protection services

market.

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Significance of Product Leadership

Ultimately, growth in any organization depends upon customers purchasing from a

company and then making the decision to return time and again. A comprehensive

product line, filled with high-quality, value-driven options, is the key to building an

engaged customer base. To achieve and maintain product excellence, an organization

must strive to be best-in-class in three key areas: understanding demand, nurturing the

brand, and differentiating from the competition.

Understanding Product Leadership

Demand forecasting, branding, and differentiating all play a critical role in finding growth

opportunities for your product line. This three-fold focus, however, must be complemented

by an equally rigorous focus on pursuing those opportunities to a best-in-class standard.

Customer communications, customer feedback, pricing, and competitor actions must all be

managed and monitored for ongoing success. If an organization can successfully parlay

product excellence into positive business impact, increased market share will inevitably

follow over time.

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Key Benchmarking Criteria

For the Product Leadership Award, Frost & Sullivan analysts independently evaluated two

key factors—Product Family Attributes and Business Impact—according to the criteria

identified below.

Product Family Attributes

Criterion 1: Match to Needs

Criterion 2: Reliability and Quality

Criterion 3: Product/Service Value

Criterion 4: Positioning

Criterion 5: Design

Business Impact

Criterion 1: Financial Performance

Criterion 2: Customer Acquisition

Criterion 3: Operational Efficiency

Criterion 4: Growth Potential

Criterion 5: Human Capital

The Intersection between 360-Degree Research and Best

Practices Awards

Research Methodology

Frost & Sullivan’s 360-degree research

methodology represents the analytical

rigor of our research process. It offers a

360-degree-view of industry challenges,

trends, and issues by integrating all 7 of

Frost & Sullivan's research methodologies.

Too often companies make important

growth decisions based on a narrow

understanding of their environment,

leading to errors of both omission and

commission. Successful growth strategies

are founded on a thorough understanding

of market, technical, economic, financial,

customer, best practices, and

demographic analyses. The integration of

these research disciplines into the 360-

degree research methodology provides an

evaluation platform for benchmarking

industry participants and for identifying

those performing at best-in-class levels.

360-DEGREE RESEARCH: SEEING ORDER IN

THE CHAOS

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

Best Practices Recognition: 10 Steps to Researching,

Identifying, and Recognizing Best Practices

Frost & Sullivan analysts follow a 10-step process to evaluate Award candidates and

assess their fit with select best practice criteria. The reputation and integrity of the

Awards are based on close adherence to this process.

STEP

OBJECTIVE

KEY ACTIVITIES

OUTPUT

1

Monitor,

target, and

screen

Identify Award recipient

candidates from around the

globe

 Conduct in-depth industry

research

 Identify emerging sectors

 Scan multiple geographies

Pipeline of candidates who

potentially meet all best-

practice criteria

2

Perform

360-degree

research

Perform comprehensive,

360-degree research on all

candidates in the pipeline

 Interview thought leaders

and industry practitioners

 Assess candidates’ fit with

best-practice criteria

 Rank all candidates

Matrix positioning of all

candidates’ performance

relative to one another

3

Invite

thought

leadership in

best

practices

Perform in-depth

examination of all candidates

 Confirm best-practice criteria

 Examine eligibility of all

candidates

 Identify any information gaps

Detailed profiles of all

ranked candidates

4

Initiate

research

director

review

Conduct an unbiased

evaluation of all candidate

profiles

 Brainstorm ranking options

 Invite multiple perspectives

on candidates’ performance

 Update candidate profiles

Final prioritization of all

eligible candidates and

companion best-practice

positioning paper

5

Assemble

panel of

industry

experts

Present findings to an expert

panel of industry thought

leaders

 Share findings

 Strengthen cases for

candidate eligibility

 Prioritize candidates

Refined list of prioritized

Award candidates

6

Conduct

global

industry

review

Build consensus on Award

candidates’ eligibility

 Hold global team meeting to

review all candidates

 Pressure-test fit with criteria

 Confirm inclusion of all

eligible candidates

Final list of eligible Award

candidates, representing

success stories worldwide

7

Perform

quality check

Develop official Award

consideration materials

 Perform final performance

benchmarking activities

 Write nominations

 Perform quality review

High-quality, accurate, and

creative presentation of

nominees’ successes

8

Reconnect

with panel of

industry

experts

Finalize the selection of the

best-practice Award recipient

 Review analysis with panel

 Build consensus

 Select recipient

Decision on which company

performs best against all

best-practice criteria

9

Communicate

recognition

Inform Award recipient of

Award recognition

 Present Award to the CEO

 Inspire the organization for

continued success

 Celebrate the recipient’s

performance

Announcement of Award

and plan for how recipient

can use the Award to

enhance the brand

10

Take

strategic

action

Upon licensing, company is

able to share Award news

with stakeholders and

customers

 Coordinate media outreach

 Design a marketing plan

 Assess Award’s role in future

strategic planning

Widespread awareness of

recipient’s Award status

among investors, media

personnel, and employees

BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH

About Frost & Sullivan

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and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's

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