O.K. So we need a new vision for interface, a picture that will bring significant benefit quickly, given the current technical environment and the interests of participating parties. What is it? The short way to describe this view is to call it Hybrid Interface, a process that combines agency software (management systems, comparative rating, etc.), carrier Web sites, bridging (with security), and download (immediate, perhaps, and batch). Overall, the idea is that agents would be able to move reasonably effortlessly between their management systems (also rating) and relevant carrier sites, with the context of the management system providing information to the Web site so that it could "pre-navigate" the agency user to the correct page on the carrier Web site and with the data from the agency system pre-filling (when relevant) the form on the carrier site. So, for instance, an agent could comparatively quote a new piece of business, choose where to place it, and then be taken transparently to the right page on the right carrier's Web site — with the quoting information automatically filled into the carrier form(s) — and the changes made to the management system via overnight download.
The exact details of how this hybrid environment would work aren't as important as its point, namely;
What about upload?
It made sense ten years ago, perhaps, but it doesn't provide enough benefit to either agents or carriers. And, it's not easy to do. Upload doesn't cover policy changes, which is what agents do more frequently than new business or maybe even quotes.
What about real-time quoting and interface in general?
It's just not going to happen — at least right now. Most carriers simply can't cope with it, and without a critical mass of carriers participating, it won't be valuable to agents.
What about SEMCI?
Hybrid Interface isn't SEMCI (as initially conceived), but it serves the same goals - single entry and multi-carrier — but, in fact, goes it one better because Hybrid Interface provides once and done as well, thus finally serving the customer.
Why not just add Hybrid Interface into the mix?
Then agents, carriers, and vendors can all just do whatever they want - upload, download, real-time, carrier Web site, etc. etc. Sounds good on the surface, but over-choice isn't helpful to anyone concerned. It's saps resources, it's confusing, it's debilitating, and it's irresponsible. Wouldn't it be better to simply provide a single, practical focus for industry efforts?
My sense is that agents, carriers, and vendors are confused right now about what to do with interface, Web sites, and so on, so they're hanging back and waiting to see what's going to happen. Turning the tanker of industry thought requires the efforts of a producer or industry group.
That group, whomever it is, should provide clarity and leadership. It should say to the industry, "Here's a pretty good plan. Here's how it works. Here's what you need to do. Here's how you're going to benefit. Now let's all get to work."
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