This family of regional insurance companies wanted to ensure its competitive position with independent agents by increasing its levels of service via the Internet while reducing the cost of doing business. In addition to a new public website, IBS developed a secure agent portal to assist agents in their daily transactions with the carrier.
They chose to work with IBS for several reasons:
- Depth of knowledge of the insurance industry
- Knowledge of web services and XML expertise
- Microsoft solution partner
- Proven project methodology
Convenient Functionality for Agents
IBS developed a strategy and plan to make available via the firm's secure web portal a number of real-time services for agents tied to the existing back-end insurance system. New functionality and features include:
- Real-time Policy Inquiry: Agents can access current policy information as well as payment and transaction histories
- Real-time Rating, Quoting, and Issuing: Agents are able to rate potential insured, produce quotes and issue policies all in real time
- Real-time Endorsements: Allows real-time submittals of change requests
- Integration with Comparative Rating Tools: Integration with comparative rating tools eliminates double entry for the agents
- Online Payments: Agents can apply payments in real time via credit card or agency EFT
- Claims Reporting: Online reporting of losses directly to claims department
- Real-time Claims Inquiry: Agents can check claims status online
- Agency Reports: Agents can quickly retrieve commission, cancellation and other reports online
- Policy Forms: Agents can quickly review and print policy forms
- Online Manuals: Agents can quickly access up-to-date underwriting manuals
- Software Downloads: Agents have quick access to software tools
- Supplies Ordering: Online ordering speeds up the process and accuracy of fulfilling agent supply requests
- Company Contacts: Online phonebook gives agents fast lookup and up-to-date company listings
Features Popular with Agents
Agents have commended the new online features, citing ease of use, improved response time, and quick access to helpful information. A steady increase in the website's usage attests to the agents satisfaction, and the company reports significant reduction in cost of doing business and an increase in appointments with new agencies.
Significant Cost Savings Realized
Many agents calls to the insurer's customer service center have been eliminated as a result of the agent self-service features. A reduction in clerical activity and data entry errors has also been realized. And, the online
availability of manuals, forms, software and reports has eliminated many printing and distribution costs.
IBS Solution is Quick to Market
Because the basic functionality of the various applications had been previously developed as modules, IBS was able to quickly customize the applications to the client's business needs and then rapidly tie them to the client's backend system utilizing web services technology. We were amazed at how rapidly IBS was able to complete this project, said the client. The time to market was remarkable.
| 
Success Stories 
