FirstBest Debuts Mobile Capabilities for Insurance Front Office Suite

The new mobile functionality as designed to enable field personnel to perform time-sensitive tasks remotely and securely, according to the vendor.

FirstBest Systems (Bedford, Mass.) has launched new mobile capabilities for its Front Office Suite of applications for insurance, including FirstBest's underwriting workstation and agent portal. The vendor characterizes the mobile functionality as designed to address the underwriting and collaborative business challenges of an insurance workforce increasingly habituated to mobile connectivity, enabling agency traveling managers and field personnel to perform time-sensitive tasks remotely and securely, so that they can write more business in less time.

"This spring I began piloting the FirstBest mobile beta on my tablet. Whether I am at my kitchen counter or on a ferry to Catalina Island, I can now stay on top of referrals, which used to pile up until I was at my desk," comments Paul Zamora, SVP, underwriting and workers' comp, ICW Group (San Diego). This cool new application lets me see all the essential data: pending referrals, submission overviews and related forms, at any time, then make decisions or comment in real time to keep submissions progressing. FirstBest's mobile capabilities have been key to speeding the quote process, and providing better service to my customers, and have contributed to winning the business."

The mobile features help carriers and agents collaborate and speed front office processes by extending select functionality of the FirstBest Front Office Suite to mobile users, according to the vendor. A FirstBest statement asserts that underwriters, managers, executives, service functions such as loss control, field marketers, agencies, brokerages, and other stakeholders will benefit from the efficiencies and technological advantages provided by the new mobile capabilities, including:

- Rapid Underwriting: Streamlines processes with more efficient workflow optimized for mobile use, saving time for underwriters and agents. Enables remote review of key details, including application and rating forms, quotes, worksheets, and attachments. Lets managers clear or reject referrals, include notes and keep applications moving for fast response to agents. Real-time notifications let users respond or take quick action from their mobile device.

- Native Application Experience: Developed with slimmer mobile interfaces and constrained mobile networks in mind. Serves up only needed data -- by role, function, or letter of authority -- for a fast and effective experience, despite today's uneven mobile bandwidth.

- Increased Efficiency: Streamlines and speeds processes with more efficient workflow, saving time for underwriters and agents. Reduces re-keying, keeps more data within the system and lets underwriters seamlessly collaborate with agents via multiple communication channels.

- Seamless User Experience: Integrated with the FirstBest Front Office Suite and back-office systems to deliver a continuous user experience across desktops and mobile devices. Leverages FirstBest web services, which manage workflow and business rules, and access carrier systems, agency data, third-party data, and standard forms.

- Secure Access and Data: Native mobile (vs. web-based) application capabilities, with password-protected login, SSL encryption and data stored on the server, instead of the device.

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