Recently, the Applied Systems Client Network (ASCnet), the network of agencies and brokerages that use Applied Systems, recognized insurance carriers and individuals for their work in implementing download and real-time interface technology for agencies and brokerages. I was pleased, as ASCnet Industry Solutions Committee chair, to present the awards. A host of individuals and organizations have improved interface offerings and removed barriers to greater efficiency. As agents, we enjoy recognizing those who help make technology work for us, not against us.
Top honors went to adopters of technology that support the workflows of ASCnet members. Progressive Insurance Company received the Ease of Doing Business Gold Award, and The Hartford took home the Ease of Doing Business Silver Award. These carriers have strong records of implementing technology that help independent agents and brokers. Progressive earned the top spot this year for its leadership efforts in the ID Federation and for its consistent implementation of Transformation Station real-time inquiry and rating over the years. We recognized The Hartford for its leadership role in the formation of the ID Federation, and for its consistently strong agent focus. The ID Federation is an industry-wide initiative that is working to eliminate agency password inefficiencies.
Two carriers received ASCnet Download Achievement Awards. Capital Indemnity Group of Wisconsin, which recently started offering real-time commercial lines rating, earned the award for its implementation of commercial lines policy detail download. Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association earned recognition for implementing download for the agents writing wind coverage in the state. Both of these companies are helping agents operate more efficiently by offering agents download functionality, which is the foundation for real-time processing. It is especially encouraging to see a state pool step up and offer technology that helps agents serve customers better while reducing the cost of placing the business through the state. We’d love to see more state pools do the same.
ASCnet also honored four individuals for their help and support of interface improvement:
Susan Geary-Guerette, agency automation analyst at Travelers Insurance Company, received a Real Time Individual Achievement Award for her extraordinary assistance to agents in solving interface issues and helping more agents make use of real-time functionality;
John Kiser, agency services manager for Union Standard Insurance Company, received a Real Time Individual Achievement Award for his work in getting real-time rating implemented and for promoting real time at various state and local industry meetings;
Jim Rogers, assistant vice president-distribution technology for The Hartford, received an Industry Initiatives Individual Achievement Award for his ongoing work to help streamline agency-carrier interface, including his efforts to simplify password procedures and remove interface barriers through development of the ID Federation and other activities; and
Mike Roy, chief information officer at Risk Placement Services, Inc., received an Industry Initiatives Individual Achievement Award for his leadership in promoting electronic interfaces among retail agents and general agent systems as co-chair of the industry-wide E&S Joint Working Group.
These individuals consistently go above and beyond to help our members and other agents and brokers operate more effectively. Their passion for our independent agency channel is apparent, and we’re pleased to recognize them for it.
Angelyn Treutel is President of Southgroup Insurance and the chair of the IIABA Agents Council for Technology and ASCnet's Industry Solutions Committee.
Readers are encouraged to respond to Angelyn by using the “Add Your Comments” box below. She can also be reached at atreutel@southgroup.net.
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