security/app-security

In an effort to improve its agent download process, Grange Mutual Casualty Group (Columbus, Ohio, $1.14 billion in assets) selected business solutions provider Connective Technology's (Houston) TEAM-UP Download solution.

"We wanted a way to download policy information in a secure transmission using the Internet," says Sherri Rarey, vice president of agency interface, Grange Mutual. "Connective Technologies provided that solution very cost-effectively."

Following initial in-house testing, Grange Mutual signed an extended agreement with Connective at the end of 2003. Deployment began in January 2004.

In addition to cost advantages, Rarey cites several benefits to agents as influencing Grange's choice of TEAM-UP. "The agent can access all of the files - download and resend their own files - without calling us to do it. The entire process is highly automated from beginning to end," she says. "As we grow geographically and appoint more agents who can receive Download, we can do so without the additional expense incurred in downloading with the [previously used] method."

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio