Agency Technology

Please note, the AIMS Society does not formally “endorse” any Vendor. The AIMS Society also does not support vendors that rely solely on the agent / carrier contract relationship to power any tool, system or technology. We recommend that agents only utilize vendors who have a specific contract with carriers or other third parties, authorizing the Vendor to provide their services. The AIMS Society does, however, support industry-wide initiatives that promote improved client service and workflow efficiencies such as the use of Real-time and Carrier Interface technologies.

The AIMS Society Board Members and Executive Director are involved with many industry initiatives that enhance marketing and sales professionalism in our industry. We are happy to share weblinks and resources that can assist agents and companies.

AUGIE – the ACORD-User Group Information Exchange – is a forum for ACORD, agents, brokers, insurers, solution providers, and associations to gather information, share ideas and actively shape the future of the insurance industry. It allows collaboration on common concerns that affect the day-to-day and long-term operations of agents and provides agents with a voice in the ACORD standards process with the goal of improving agency efficiency and productivity. Click on the AUGIE logo (left) to take advantage of the many FREE resources that this “exchange” has developed including:

ACT – Agents Council for Technology – is a partnership of independent agents, companies, technology vendors, user groups, and associations dedicated to enhancing the use of technology and improved work flows within the Independent Agency System. Click the ACT logo (left) to visit.

Initiatives currently underway by ACT include:

  • Search Engine Marketing; Search Engine Positioning; Agency Website Development
  • Improving Agency Workflows – Best Practices guide available
  • Disaster Planning guidelines
  • Securing Client Email with TLS

AUGIE’S Commercial Lines Download Webinar

This webinar is presented by agents, carriers and vendors who discuss the benefits of commercial lines download and provide implementation tips for agencies. In addition, the presenters will discuss the considerable work the industry has taken to improve the quality of commercial lines downloads.

We encourage your agency to take the Real Time 21-day Challenge!

Conventional wisdom says it takes 21 days to form a new habit—and break old ones. The Real Time/Download Campaign agrees. And we’re here to help. By adopting new workflows that leverage real-time tools, you can boost sales and deliver better customer service. Click here for all the details!

Protecting Independent Agent Clients with Secure Email Using TLS (Transport Layer Security)

To view an informational, pre-recorded webinar, click here.

ACT recommends independent agents and carriers implement TLS email encryption wherever possible to protect the sensitive client information being emailed between agents and carriers and even agents and major clients, such as commercial lines applications. Unsecured email and attachments are like sending an open postcard through the mail. State privacy, security, and data breach laws are increasingly requiring that email transmissions including sensitive consumer information be encrypted. Once implemented, TLS is transparent to the user and the only cost is for the security certificate. TLS is available on most up-to-date inhouse email servers (such as Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes) and some hosted email providers. It is not currently available on hosted email through hotmail and yahoo. The first 40 minutes of this Webinar is designed for agency business leaders and the remaining 20 minutes will get into a more technical discussion regarding implementation of TLS on Microsoft Exchange servers.

Because of efficiencies created by using Real Time and Download, agency and brokerage professionals find they have more time on their hands. This allows principals to start shifting the focus of “processing” staff and to create more of a consultative sales culture throughout the organization. The Real Time Makes Real $$$$$ guide is designed to provide step-by-step tools to help accomplish this shift. It presents a logical progression for firms that have found success with Real Time and offers a way to get each person in an agency or brokerage involved in marketing, sales and growth.

For those who have not yet made a commitment to Real Time, this guide provides even more reasons to get serious about embracing this initiative. The body of the guide is available in PDF format. Throughout the guide, reference documents are identified. These are not part of the PDF guide but rather are available through weblink.

An easy way to use the guide—and access the links—is to download the PDF to your own computer, then read it online. When you come to a list of resources (or any URL, for that matter), simply hover you mouse over the link and click. You’ll come right back to this page, where you can open the document you wish to view.

Click the Guide Logo above to download your FREE copy today!!!!