Evolving Agency Management Systems Apps helps Bring Efficiency in the Field

Technology research firm Gartner reported that global sales of smartphones hit 968 million units in 2013, up 42 percent. Just as big a business are the innovative applications (or “apps”) that run on them.

Some agency management system vendors are now offering mobile apps. These extend the AMS’s capabilities to insurance producers’ mobile devices, enhancing their ability to aggregate client information, prepare quotes, follow up on meetings, and document files while offsite.

Here are some examples of the new AMS apps:

EZLynx.  EZLynx Mobile, available to customers at no additional cost, gives producers quick access to detailed client and policy information and documents. They can create notes and tasks and set reminders for themselves, and shoot photos and attach them to clients’ files.

Integrated SMS Text Messaging, a feature of the EZLynx desktop software, will soon be added to EZLynx Mobile. Producers will be able to exchange text messages with their clients from their phones, and the entire conversations will be safely stored in EZLynx.

In addition to major enhancements to commercial lines support in the coming months, EZLynx is also planning “game-changing innovations” to its integrated marketing tools, according to Director of Sales Operations John McKay. Noting a recent report that a third of smartphone users prefer their phones over desktop or laptop computers for web browsing, McKay said, “Agents must be armed with the tools necessary to service and sell to those 70 million potential customers.” Producers need consumer quoting and client servicing tools fully integrated on a mobile-ready agency website, and instant access to the agency management system from a mobile device, laptop, or desktop.

QQ Solutions. With the QQ Evolution mobile app, producers can view client information, policies, notes, images and documents; run quick reports; and get suspense reminders. Mark Malis, CEO of QQ Solutions, says the next iteration will be a mobile version of the forthcoming cloud-based system, QQ Catalyst. Future releases will include capabilities such as the ability to upload photos and attach them to a client’s file. The QQ Catalyst system will also integrate with apps provided to clients.

Strategic Insurance Software. The Partner XE Mobile app started as a reference tool for producers to use in the field, according to SIS President Michael Doran, but new features have made it more interactive and useful. For example, after a visit with a prospective client, a producer can enter the prospects’s information in the app and have it immediately available to service staff back in the office, allowing for quick follow-up.

Doran expects future releases to enable single entry of data to ensure consistency. They will improve productivity for agencies, which he believes are becoming more sales-oriented.

Vertafore. The Producer Advantage app permits producers to view and edit customer information, including contacts, policies, upselling opportunities, activities, notes, claims and documents. Vertafore Senior Product Manager Kim Smith says that enhanced integration features, such as push notifications and seamless data entry, will be part of future releases.

Applied Systems. Available for iPad and Android tablets, Applied MobileProducer 2013 enables producers to easily add prospects; perform an enhanced risk analysis that includes classifications, coverage assessments, and libraries of risk and coverage terms; and real-time activity sync with the AMS.

More enhancements to these and other apps are sure to follow soon. Agencies looking for mobile solutions that meets their needs will have a lot of solid choices.

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