Carriers Must Focus on Consistency, Timeliness and Flow

Today's agent technology is about consistency, timeliness and flow. Data is and will also always remain the most vital element. However, agents need to spend more time servicing customers, not entering data. Agency management systems are essential tools for efficiency, creating a single workflow and improving flow and accuracy. They contain the key services, including upload, download and real-time functionality. Also, ratings systems eliminate the redundancy of re-entering data on multiple carrier sites.

Agent technology is also about efficiency and accessibility. Improved mobility puts agents back in the field doing business and then coming back and simply transferring information. As younger generations get into the industry as agents and customers, there's an expectation of immediate, 24/7 online information. To serve both young and some older customers, agents must offer online self-service.

Supporting all of these systems, data flows and tools are ACORD standards. The ability to send and receive data consistently, accurately and efficiently, whether by form or electronic message, is what ACORD has provided the industry since its beginnings. Agents are actively evolving the industry and technology by participating in industry groups like AUGIE, taking part in industrywide initiatives like the Real Time Campaign, joining ACORD working groups and attending ACORD events all to improve data flow and agency efficiency.