Dayton, Ohio-based Standard Register has completed its $89 million acquisition of Toronto-based InSystems Technologies Inc. InSystems' products include Calligo-document management software that automates business processes including compliance filings, document fulfillment and customer service-and eXterity extended relationship management (XRM) software, which enables organizations to interact seamlessly via the Internet with customers, suppliers, partners, regulators, and other constituents. Standard Register's technologies include SMARTworks, which connects buyers and suppliers of business printing and provides tools for designing, procuring, distributing, and managing printed and electronic documents.AMS Services Inc., Windsor, Conn., and IVANS Inc., Greenwich, Conn., are partnering with Michigan Insurance Co. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based carrier is using IVANS WebSEMCI with its agents who use an AfW management system. The first lines of business supported are personal auto and homeowners. AMS and IVANS have been working together to provide AMS customers with a universal upload from the agency to the carriers.
Afni Inc., Bloomington, Ill., and idNET Inc., Simsbury, Conn., have consolidated their around-the-clock customer care insurance operations. The new business unit continues to leverage the idNET brand and remains based in Simsbury. Operations continue in Phoenix with
Artizan Computing providing custom Web development and in Bloomington with the Afni team delivering template Web solutions and production development oversight.
Atlanta-based DWL Inc. has established a strategic alliance with Nissay Information Technology Co. Ltd. (Nissay-IT) to license DWL's unified business services software to the Japanese financial services market. Under the terms of the alliance, Nissay-IT will be a distributor for the Japanese double byte version of DWL Unifi-an enterprise application for business process integration-and the Japanese double byte versions of DWL Insurance for P&C Agent Broker and DWL Insurance for Life Agent Broker.
InsurBanc, Farmington, Conn., and Trusted Choice-a marketing brand created by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), Alexandria, Va.-have formed a strategic alliance. InsurBanc offers consumers a wide array of competitive banking products via local independent agencies, including auto loans, credit cards, home equity loans, mortgages, certificates of deposit and money market funds. For business clients, the bank offers working capital lines of credit, commercial real estate loans and cash management services. InsurBanc operates in three states: Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey, and will continue to expand its scope upon regulatory approvals.
Dallas-based Examination Management Services Inc. (EMSI) has joined forces with Internet Pipeline (IPipeline), Exton, Pa., to develop MyAgency, a suite of Web-based tools that helps brokers sell and process insurance faster. MyAgency manages, tracks and updates life, long-term care, and annuities content from more than 100 top insurance companies. Online ordering enables brokers to electronically request and check the status of paramedical exams, inspections, and attending physician statements.
Rackley Systems Inc., Pulaski, Tenn., has added Superior Access Insurance Services Inc. to the Rackley Market Place-a new feature of the Rackley desktop comparative rating software. Superior Access is the first participant in Rackley's virtual marketplace. Superior Access Services is a large automated wholesaler that provides online quoting for 60 markets in 49 states. Through the independent agent market, the company quotes 350 to 400 policies, worth approximately $2 million of premium, every business day.
Zurich North America, Schaumburg, Ill. and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), Washington, D.C., have formed a strategic alliance. Under this agreement, NAW will endorse Zurich as its premier provider for property/casualty insurance.
