Collaboration and cooperation are synonymous with success. Efficiency and innovation are a direct result of teamwork, as many individuals work towards a common goal. So, why are we hesitant to foster the same connectivity and cohesion with our agency systems?
Integrated systems hold the power to increase productivity by streamlining information from multiple sources. In the insurance industry, agencies benefit from integrated accounting, email, and carrier systems operating out of one agency management system. Such integration leads to many levels of savings.
SAVE TIME. Instead of entering client information repeatedly in different programs, integrated systems simply sync the info after one entry. Client, carrier, and agent profiles in integrated systems contain everything you need to know in one spot. From email correspondences to recent payments, it’s all rolled in to one space.
SAVE HEADACHES. When all your agency’s systems work together, you cut down on duplicate entries. Each profile is only entered one time in one place, freeing up space on your server. By providing a full picture, integrated systems make it easier to catch E & O issues before they turn in to big problems.
SAVE MONEY. It’s obvious integrated systems are a money saver due to the increased efficiency, but that’s not the only benefit. In most cases, agencies will pay less for a single, integrated system over purchasing each on its own.
SIS KNOWS INTEGRATION. We at SIS know and embrace the power of quality integrated systems, as evidenced in our latest Partner XE 2015, which offers built in Outlook, real time downloads, and accounting integration. Our integration isn’t just an “all in one”, but all of the best working together.
One Partner XE client said of the system: “You do one thing and it automatically takes care of several others. The continuity of the workflow is great… and we have a permanent record of activity attached to any client or policy.”
Want to find out how integrated systems can benefit your agency? Contact us today, or check out what other Partner XE users have to say on our Client Stories page. We look forward to hearing from you!
Disaster can strike your agency in many forms: extreme weather, fire, and break-ins can interrupt your agency operations and cause serious damage. When such emergencies strike, it’s important for your agency to be ready to act. Not only do you need to care for the physical needs of your property and staff, but you must also set up procedures to keep your agency operational during a crisis.
It’s “back to school” time and we at SIS stay focused on continuing our learning. With Partner XE 2015 rolling out we are making plans for the National User Conference in October, and participating in ACT and ACORD events in the fall.
If you haven’t yet registered for the Partner XE Today and Tomorrow conference on October 15 & 16 in Columbus, check out the agenda here and make your reservation. Rooms are going fast.
We’re also creating opportunities for education and collaboration within our Partner XE community. Our latest eGuide features tips from Partner XE agency owners, and we’re pleased to announce three upcoming workgroups for further collaboration. Find out more by reading below, and feel free to contact me with your ideas on ways to grow our Partner XE community.
All the best,
Alex
Partner XE 2015 Roll-Out
The latest Partner XE 2015 is here! Boasting a better user experienced, increased functionality, and increased workflow efficiency, the release includes an updated Outlook plugin to help your agency stay connected on the go. Look for this Outlook plugin release the week of September 28th.
ACT and ACORD15 Conferences for SIS
Partner XE product manager Bryce Lee and SIS President Michael Doran will be attending two tech-focused conferences this October. Bryce will hear from industry experts and gain insight on cyber security and readiness at the ACT conference in New Orleans. Michael will join Bryce for the ACORD15 conference in Boca Raton, FL to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of new tech, Telematics, social media and marketing, and e-signatures/e-policy delivery. We look forward to integrating their learnings into future generations of Partner XE.
Partner XE Workgroups
SIS staff, clients, and partners have come together to form three exciting new workgroups focusing on Commercial Lines Workflow, Updated Summary Screens, and Internal Remarks & Transactions. Interested in joining these workgroups? Contact Bryce Lee at mailto:[email protected].
Recent eGuide on Cyber Security Features Client Stories
We’re excited about our latest eGuide, which focuses on cyber security and the threats involved with protecting your agency’s data. The guide includes advice from Partner XE agency experts, and why your agency should make cyber security a priority. Check out the eGuide and download it here.
Columbus, OH – Strategic Insurance Software (SIS), creators of Partner XE, a leading web-based agency management system for independent agents, is pleased to announce that the launch of Partner XE 2015 has been successfully completed. The updated version includes major enhancements designed to make it easier to use, reduce clicks and provide greater efficiencies particularly for agencies with significant commercial clients.
Of the software’s update, Alex Deak, CEO of SIS, stated, “This latest Partner XE update was the biggest and best release to date. Users are extremely pleased with the software’s updated workflows, making their jobs more efficient and accurate. We’re also hearing excellent reviews of the completely redesigned certificate management workflow. Overall, this launch has been a great success.”
User Feedback Drives Changes for Higher Efficiency
Like past Partner XE updates, user feedback was the primary driver of change for this release. SIS received requests from dozens of partners, translating into over 200 system updates designed to enhance independent agencies’ workflow.
Because of this, users have positively received the release. “The latest, greatest update, Partner XE 2015, is not only great but just what we expected. SIS has a long tradition of listening to their clients and developing and enhancing programs to meet the clients’ needs. We said what we wanted. They listened, developed and delivered…just as promised. It is so refreshing to have a relationship with a vendor that treats us like they are an integral part of our internal team,” stated, Max B. Van Wyk of Van Wyk Risk Solutions.
Better User Experience and Increased Efficiency
The updated Partner XE software includes new layouts and user interactions to make the program more user-friendly and efficient. Some of these updates include:
Enhanced management of commercial lines schedules
Improved Client Summary and Download Entity Assignment window layouts and functionality
Optimized Quick Create panel
Increased LOB support
Improved email signature, and much more.
Because of all of the enhancements made to the software, SIS wanted to ensure all agents were able to use it properly by its release.
SIS Created Smooth Transition Plan
To ensure the successful transition for all agencies and their clients, SIS provided users with many hands on, convenient online training sessions. In the months prior to the release, SIS hosted numerous well-attended online training sessions to familiarize users with the upgraded system. The company is also providing recordings of the training sessions for users to reference as they continue to adjust to the updated software.
According to Bryce Lee, Product Manager, “We collaborated with end users to drive changes for Partner XE 2015, so we knew the software updates would be well-received. Partner XE has helped independent insurance agencies step up their efficiency, for both their business and for their clients.”
When it comes to your agency’s bottom line, you know making small changes can have a huge impact. So, why are you still using paper? A recent study from the EPA shows the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper, or 20 reams, annually. That can really add up, especially in the independent insurance business where multiple versions of a policy can be printed and re-printed each day. You can save your agency time and money by going paperless in your office.
Your agency can take a few simple steps to get started on going paperless:
Share internal documents (i.e. meeting notes) via file editing and storage platforms such as Google Drive
Send and sign documents securely via email using encrypted eSignature services like RPost
Convert forms to digital, fillable versions with programs like PDFEscape
Turn your smartphone into a portable document scanner with apps such as ScannerPro
Utilize document storage capabilities within your agency’s management system like Partner XE’s DOCBox
Besides the obvious savings through decreasing your paper purchases, going paperless also increases efficiency. Think of the time spent on processing, filing, and storing paper – time that could be spent in more impactful ways. Also, storing information electronically makes it easier to find via an easy search and portable so agents can access the right documents with the click of a button.
We’ve heard from multiple agency owners on the benefits of going paperless. One owner, Julia Broeders of Weekes Agency, said of Partner XE’s paperless workflow: “…(We) really wanted to be able to go paperless. We are watching our budget and trying to keep running the office with just the three of us without sacrificing service. We needed an agency management system that would help us do that.”
Hear from other agency owners on their Partner XE experience, and check out the latest updates to our Partner XE 2015 at our website, https://sispartnerplatform.com.
Digital insurance options opened up new markets and improved communications for agencies worldwide. However, this growth goes hand-in-hand with the rise in cyberattacks over the past few years.
Recent reports estimated cyberattacks increased between 200% and 300% in 2020 and are doubling again. Similarly, ransoms from cyberattacks are rising by between 50% and 80%, making it a more attractive scheme for cybercriminals.
Labor market changes contribute to increased cyber-vulnerability as well. More people are working remotely, and their home offices may not have the same security measures as their company. Similarly, the recent labor shortage means companies are hiring more people more often and, in their haste to fill positions, may not provide ample cybersecurity training for new hires.
Independent insurance agencies are starting to feel the heat. Though independent agencies provide a level of personalized service and care big names never can, insurtech’s sophisticated insurance software is beginning to bridge the gap.
According to experts at PropertyCasualty360, “With increased competition from insurtechs and rising labor costs, in order to stay competitive, companies need to…provide a seamless omnichannel experience.” That means broadening how you’re serving your customers, keeping up with evolving customer demands.
Do you have the right insurance software to meet these growing customer needs?
Digital insurance is the future. According to Reuters, over $10 billion were invested in digital insurance technology in the first nine months of 2021 alone.
But, a rise in digital insurance tech use doesn’t mean a decline in demand for people in the industry. J.D. Power found that agencies that increased their “digital offerings” didn’t necessarily see a boost in customer satisfaction. While customers value the speed and efficiency digital tools offer, they also need that human connection.
