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Contents by Issue  |  Contents by Topic

Sounding Line Contents by Topic

Note: Titles may appear in more than one topic

All Things Internet

• ALL THINGS INTERNET  May 2003
• ALL THINGS INTERNET June 2003
• ALL THINGS INTERNET July 2003
• ALL THINGS INTERNET August 2003

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Customer Service

• City-Quote - Turnkey Quoting Web Sites for Agents
  Here's a clever idea that not only provides online quotes, but helps agencies stand out in their local community. June 2001
• Detailed Consumer Jewelry Information: Provided by JCRS gratis. April 2001
• eCertsONLINE: New Certificates ASP: Customer controlled online certificates from Insurance Visions. April 2001
• iKnack: Providing your customers with self-service benefits administration.
  Benefits can provide new sources of agency revenue and broaden agency service offerings. iKnack helps agencies implement Internet-based benefits services their customers can supply their employees. May 2001
• I-REP - Internet Service Representative
  If you're an AfW user, here's an online customer service tool that integrates with your agency management system. June 2001
• Online Customer Self-Service - Why, What, and How: Allowing you customers to serve themselves through your Web site can save you time and money and improve their satisfaction. June 2001
• QuoteNETWorks: Comparative rating plug-in from Rating Services. March 2001
• WebFSC - Comparative Quoting for Agents' Web Sites
  Here is yet another auto and homeowners quoting tool, but with a useful twist - it offers quotes in both English and Spanish. June 2001
• Vendor Review: Claims Master: Claims Master, a claims management solution that agents can offer to their insureds. August 2001
• Comparing Five Vendors: Web-based Self-Service Via Management System Extensions
  Vendors offer relatively painless ways for agents to provide customer self-service through their Web sites. Web-based self-service is increasingly popular in banking and investment services. Allstate and some independent agency carriers are investing heavily in Web-based self-service. An IIAA survey suggests that more than 70% of the public wants Web-based self-service availability for at least some of their insurance transactions. November 2001
• Carrier Web Site Review: Progressive Expands Its Agency Portal Offering with Server-based Rating, Agency Software Interconnectivity
  Innovative personal auto carrier describes direct sales/agency sales Web strategies and demonstrates its Web-based successor to ProRater. by John Ashenhurst  September 2002
• Delaware Valley Underwriting Agency  Though this MGA initially created its site as an online brochure, the site now plays a major role its sales process and competitive strategy.
  by John Ashenhurst  May 2003
• The Chicken or the Egg? The Service Management and Systems Equation. The early 90s ushered in the service management movement. You could hardly go to an industry event that didn't feature some kind of service management guru. Several years later, businesses discovered that they needed improved systems to manage service. Are we getting things figured out yet? This experience might make you think twice. by Steve Brightbill. July 2003

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Editorials & Perspective

• Should Your 15-Year-Old Nephew Create Your Web site?: Editorial - The appropriate role of agency principals in the Web publishing process. February 2001
• Moments of Truth: Editorial - Vanity Web sites vs. customer-focused Web sites. March 2001
• It's Time the Industry Created a National Agency Web Site Finder: Editorial - A role for AUGIE. April 2001
• New Wine in New Bottles: Editorial - It's Time to Set a New Agenda for Insurance Technology. May 2001
• Insurance Technology and the Internet - Who Should Speak for Agent's Interests?: Editorial - Are agents getting lost in the shuffle as other industry players make decisions about insurance technology's direction? June 2001
• The Dotcoms are Crashing: No more worries about the Internet? March 2001
• Why Sounding Line?: Out-facing services and the opportunities for agencies to re-intermediate themselves through their Web sites. February 2001
• Revolution, Evolution, or None of the Above:
  Editorial - What's needed is a new, comprehensive vision of the role technology can play in the insurance world.  July 2001.
• Sounding Off: "Proprietary" Carrier Web Sites: Good, Bad, Indifferent, or Temporary? August 2001
• Customer use of agent's web sites and call centers. September 2001
• If You Build It, Will They Come? Maybe Not. Producer associations, agency management system vendors, user groups, and publications (including this one) have decried the proliferation of agency self-service Web sites being fielded by carriers. The problem for agents is obvious. October 2001
• What Lessons Does CSIO and Its Insurance Portal Hold for the U.S. Independent Agent Community? We should be paying attention to the Canadian initiative. November 2001
• More Matter with Less Art
  Too many sites just aren't going to deliver the goods whatever they're intended to be by agencies, wholesalers and carriers. And that's an unnecessary waste of time and money. December 2001
• An Internet Perspective: The Need for Vision and Leadership in 2002
  The Internet offers an unprecedented opportunity for agents to re-intermediate themselves and to become more efficient, but few are responding. At the same time, too many carriers are creating operational chaos for agents — and no one is providing the leadership needed to make things right. January 2002.
• Taking Advantage of the Internet Isn't Optional
  Conventional wisdom was wrong when it wrote off agents. And conventional wisdom is wrong now when it declares agents the winner. It would be closer to the truth to say that agents have an advantage today but that it will be compromised unless they begin to use the Internet successfully to market, sell, and service insurance. January 2002.
• Vendors Support Transformation Station, but Interface Utopia Still Far Away
  Applied Systems, AMS Services, and DORIS have all agreed to use IVANS' Transformation Station to facilitate agency/company real-time and batch interface. Is SEMCI just around the corner? Not quite. February 2002
• Future One 2001 Technology Study: Carrier, Agent Ideas Don't Match Consumer Concerns  February 2002
• Interview: Shirley Lukens Reports on Best Practices Benefits
  Recently I had the pleasure of talking with Shirley Lukens, long time agency management and technology advocate. February 2002
• Interview: Mark Parrish Explains ASPs, Ajasent
  Recently we had a chance to catch up with Mark Parrish, long time industry consultant and now founder of Ajasent, a Vertical Service Provider that hosts a variety of agency management systems and other agency software. February 2002
• Sounding Off: by John Ashenhurst, Editor
  A Rousing, “Hip, Hip Hooray” Congratulations are In Order  March 2002
• Sounding Off: by John Ashenhurst, Editor
  Reality vs. Illusion: Let's Get a Grip
  One necessary (but not sufficient) pre-requisite for agency business success is to have an accurate view of reality. Knowing the way things are makes it possible to plan, make choices, and overall act effectively. April 2002
• Interview Ebix CEO Explains Business Strategy
  Ebix has released its brand new, made-for-the-Internet agency management system and has ambitious plans for the future. In an April interview with editor John Ashenhurst in Atlanta, Robin Raina, ebix CEO, described what the vendor is up to and why. May 2002
• Sounding Off: by John Ashenhurst, Editor
  Do We Have to Do the Same Thing Over and Over?  May 2002
• Sounding Off: by John Ashenhurst, Editor
  Hybrid Interface: A Win for Customers, Agents, Carriers, and Vendors
  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?   June 2002
• Sounding Off: by John Ashenhurst, Editor
  The Open Society and Its Enemies  July 2002
• Interview
  AMS President Moves On: Loren Parsons Comments on Tenure, Interface Issues  July 2002
• Editorial: Things Are Looking Up: Wheeled String Trimmers & Innovation  July 2002
• Interview
  XDimensional Technologies CEO Reflects on Nexsure, Future Insurance Technology. Craig Fuher, CEO, describes how and why XDTI is building a brand new, native-Internet agency management system, The Hartford as an investor, and where he sees the market headed. August 2002
• Editorial: Feeblemindedness, Laziness, or Good Management? by John Ashenhurst  September 2002
• EDITORIAL:  Welcome to Sounding Line 2.0   by John Ashenhurst  May 2003
• EDITORIAL. Act Fast — Or All Will Be Lost — Or So We Hear. June 2003
• EDITORIAL. The More things Change. July 2003
• Linda Rollings, AMSUG Industry Advocate, Discusses Her New Rolgency Automation, and What Lies Ahead. In last month's news, we reported that longtime agency technology manager Linda Rollings was appointed to the new AMSUG position of Industry Advocate, a position for which she is well qualified. As she begins her new assignment, Rollings reflects on her career, her plans, and where she thinks insurance technology is headed. by Steve Brightbill. July 2003
• Paving the Cow Path: John Roblin, Carrier CIO, Vendor CEO, IVANS Chairman, Reflects on Insurance, Change, and Technology. How and why does the insurance industry lag other elements of the financial services sector in the creative use of technology? Is SEMCI still appropriate, or should agents and carriers share rather than transfer policy information? Are the ACORD standards the solution to the interface puzzle? by John Ashenhurst. July 2003
• Is SEMCI Really a Serious Goal of Independent Agents? Considering the issue’s history, effort expended, and the results achieved, it seems appropriate to think out loud and wonder whether or not SEMCI is a problem that agents are genuinely intent on solving. New realities beg us to shed our long-held notions and look elsewhere for more attainable solutions. by John Carmody. July 2003
• Doing Less with Less by John Ashenhurst August 2003

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Glossary

• Glossary: Key concepts for agents and Web sites. February 2001
• Glossary: Key concepts for agents and Web sites. March 2001

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Interface

• Hybrid Management Systems, Part One: The Real Solution to Interface Problems Even after a 20-year effort, agency/carrier interface hasn’t become a practical solution to the interconnected problems of agency/carrier database synchronization and multiple-data handling. Perhaps we’ve been looking in all the wrong places. Fortunately a real solution is at hand. by John Ashenhurst  May 2003
• Hybrid Management Systems, Part Two:Inherent Problems, Potential Solutions. Last installment we looked at how hybrid management systems could overcome the problems inherent in computer-to-computer interface - by removing the very need for interface. This installment we’ll look at one critical objection to hybrid management systems and show the objection masks an important and persistent misunderstanding about why interface has been such a problem. by John Ashenhurst  June 2003
• Hybrid Management Systems Part Three: Evolving Agency/Carrier Relationships. Hybrid management systems have the potential to dissolve perennial interface problems and create an environment that's customer focused. But making hybrid management systems work presents some challenges – among them sorting out the contractual relationships and interdependencies between agents and carriers. by John Ashenhurst. July 2003
• SIS WebLink Integrates SEMCIPartner Management System with Carrier Websites WebLink makes it easy for SIS agents to retrieve billing, claims, policy and other query information from carrier portals. by John Ashenhurst  August 2003
• Bill Tedrick, Interface Expert, Sees Future in Remote Web Services
  First we had paper, then batch/EDI, now followed by real-time and hybrid interface. What’s next? Agency, carrier, and other systems talking to one another through the emerging channel of remote Web services. by John Ashenhurst August 2003

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Industry Issues

• Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds: Misunderstandings about the impact of the Internet on insurance and a more likely view of how the Internet can be profitably be used by agencies, companies and customers. April 2001
• It's Time the Industry Created a National Agency Web Site Finder: Editorial - A role for AUGIE. April 2001
• Insurance Technology and the Internet - Who Should Speak for Agent's Interests?: Editorial - Are agents getting lost in the shuffle as other industry players make decisions about insurance technology's direction? June 2001
• New Wine in New Bottles: Editorial - It's Time to Set a New Agenda for Insurance Technology. May 2001
• Strategy: Ten internet tools carriers should provide their agents. September 2001
• Out-facing Services - Comparing Five Vendors: Web-based Self-Service Via Management System Extensions
  Vendors offer relatively painless ways for agents to provide customer self-service through their Web sites. Web-based self-service is increasingly popular in banking and investment services. Allstate and some independent agency carriers are investing heavily in Web-based self-service. An IIAA survey suggests that more than 70% of the public wants Web-based self-service availability for at least some of their insurance transactions. November 2001
• Association Case Study: CSIO Internet Portal: Canadian Brokers, Carriers Cooperate on Internet Our northern neighbors are actually solving Internet problems we just talk about. Increasingly, independent agents are being asked (or required) by their carriers to use agency self-service Web sites. These carrier Web sites often provide quoting/rating, underwriting reports, submission support, and binding, as well as direct bill, claims, product and commission information. Because the rates, rules, and information are current and accurate, agents and carriers benefit. This new approach is an improvement over estimated quotes, delay, and paper. But it creates new problems as well. November 2001
• Interview - Shirley Lukens Reports on Best Practices Benefits
  Recently I had the pleasure of talking with Shirley Lukens, long time agency management and technology advocate. February 2002
• Interview - Mark Parrish Explains ASPs, Ajasent
  Recently we had a chance to catch up with Mark Parrish, long time industry consultant and now founder of Ajasent, a Vertical Service Provider that hosts a variety of agency management systems and other agency software. February 2002
• AUGIE Survey Results Throw the Ball Into the Companies' Court
  Companies wanted to find out about agent concerns. Now that nearly 9,000 agents told them, the industry awaits the company response. by Steven Brightbill April 2002
• Perspective The Truth About Interface: What It Means and What to Do About It.  Ten years ago the industry converged on a shared interface vision but the Internet, new technology, and changing business strategies make that vision increasingly untenable. This article provides suggestions both for a new view and how to succeed with it. June 2002
• Interview - Loren Parsons, AMS
  Loren Parsons Comments on Tenure, Interface Issues July 2002
• Collaborative Computing Case Study: Worldwide Broker Network Uses Technology to Provide Global Solutions July 2002
• Agent Profile - Carl Gaspar
  Carl Gaspar: Agency Owner-Manager & Industry Leader
  Moving back and forth between agency activities and industry involvement provides perspective and insight for this agent. July 2002
• Sounding Line Weblogs: Value-Add from John and Steve The editors of Sounding Line add another communications vehicle to their publishing efforts. by Steven Brightbill  May 2003
• INTERVIEW: John Carmody, SAFECO Veteran and Agency Automation Advocate  According to Carmody, agents now enjoy the greatest opportunity they’ve ever had for turning carriers and technology in directions that serve their interests. But he’s afraid agents fail to understand the complexity of the problem and the investment the solution will require — and may lack the strong leadership they need. by John Ashenhurst  May 2003
• More Agencies Than We Thought  Is there any truth to the conventional wisdom that there are about 40,000 agencies?
  by G. Barry Klein, CPCU, CLU  May 2003
• Fighting America’s $80-billion Rip-off  The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud leads the charge. A content rich Web site, including some free resources for agents, makes this site worth a lingering visit. by Steven Brightbill  May 2003
• Safeco Tests Tablet PC for Claims Applications The Tablet PC, introduced last year, seems to have promise for insurance industry use, but the only way to know is to try it out. Safeco recently spent some time studying the appropriateness of the technology. by John Ashenhurst August 2003
• Bill Tedrick, Interface Expert, Sees Future in Remote Web Services First we had paper, then batch/EDI, now followed by real-time and hybrid interface. What’s next? Agency, carrier, and other systems talking to one another through the emerging channel of remote Web services. by John Ashenhurst August 2003
• What to Make of Spam Hoopla Spam-related headlines, news articles, and hysteria reached a crescendo during May and June. Some predicted that the projected volume of spam would eventually shut down the Internet. While 79 percent of Americans say they want some kind of federal spam legislation, nearly half of business people say they do want to receive e-mail advertising despite their disgust with spam. What should we think about all this? by Steven Brightbill August 2003
• Five Trends Insurance Professionals Cannot Ignore Yes, trying to keep up with new and emerging technology can be an overwhelming and never-ending chore. But regardless of how you try to keep pace and look ahead, keep your eyes on these five trends which will impact how your business operation sooner or later. by Steven Brightbill August 2003

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Management Issues

• Elements and Process of a Web Strategy: The preparation and process for creating a successful agency Web site strategy. March 2001
• Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds: Misunderstandings about the impact of the Internet on insurance and a more likely view of how the Internet can be profitably be used by agencies, companies and customers. April 2001
• Should Your 15-Year-Old Nephew Create Your Web site?: Editorial - The appropriate role of agency principals in the Web publishing process. February 2001
• Web Site Legal Issues - Privacy, Copyright, and Terms of Use: Your Web site may expose you to some legal problems and its content may need protection. This article provides a partial list of things to know to start a conversation with your attorney. June 2001
• Ten Things to Look for in Application Service Providers (ASPs). July 2001
• Online Self-Service - The top ten excuses agents use to resist implementing online self-service. July 2001
• Online Certificates - vendors offer alternatives to what has traditionally been a time-consuming and costly agency processing and servicing task. July 2001
• Case Study: A recent agency Web site evaluation reveals several reasons why one agency site is not producing the results hoped for with ideas and insights for making sure your Web site is doing its job. August 2001
• Sound Tools: Firewalls - protecting your computer while online.  September 2001
• Evaluating Your Web Site: Does your agency have a Web site committee? September 2001
• Re-evaluating Your Web Presence: Do You Have Contingency Plans for Moving Your Web Site? At some point in the life of your Web site, you will likely need to find new service providers. Regardless of the reason, you do not want to be left in the lurch with little or no control over the management of your Web site. What, then, can you do? October 2001
• 10 Important Preconditions for Out-facing services October 2001
• Out-facing Services - Comparing Five Vendors: Web-based Self-Service Via Management System Extensions Vendors offer relatively painless ways for agents to provide customer self-service through their Web sites. Web-based self-service is increasingly popular in banking and investment services. Allstate and some independent agency carriers are investing heavily in Web-based self-service. An IIAA survey suggests that more than 70% of the public wants Web-based self-service availability for at least some of their insurance transactions. November 2001
• Association Case Study - CSIO Internet Portal: Canadian Brokers, Carriers Cooperate on Internet
  Our northern neighbors are actually solving Internet problems we just talk about. Increasingly, independent agents are being asked (or required) by their carriers to use agency self-service Web sites. These carrier Web sites often provide quoting/rating, underwriting reports, submission support, and binding, as well as direct bill, claims, product and commission information. Because the rates, rules, and information are current and accurate, agents and carriers benefit. This new approach is an improvement over estimated quotes, delay, and paper. But it creates new problems as well. November 2001
• 10 Considerations for Building Your Own Web Site November 2001
• Improving Your Web Site's Search Engine Visibility
  Having a great Web Site is of little value unless others can find it. Using search engines intelligently can generate better response. November 2001
• Options for Building Your Web Site
  Once the idea is hatched and the decision has been made, executing almost any project takes four basic ingredients: know-how, tools, skill, and time. If you personally have these four ingredients, you may want to attempt the project yourself. November 2001
• Rethinking your Insurance-specific Content
  Without content there is no reason to build a Web site. Visitors come to your Web site expecting to find meaningful and useful content. But what kind of content should you include? November 2001
• Conceiving, Initiating, Motivating, and Managing Change
  How do you know when it's time to change? How do you start the process? How do you bring others along? How do you optimize your chances for success? December 2001
• Interview - Shirley Lukens Reports on Best Practices Benefits
  Recently I had the pleasure of talking with Shirley Lukens, long time agency management and technology advocate. February 2002
• Interview - Mark Parrish Explains ASPs, Ajasent
  Recently we had a chance to catch up with Mark Parrish, long time industry consultant and now founder of Ajasent, a Vertical Service Provider that hosts a variety of agency management systems and other agency software. February 2002
• Give Me Better Workflow Solutions, Not Just More Features
  Does the industry understand what really facilitates good automation practices? Are vendors focused on the right issues? by Laura Nettles March 2002
• Marsh-Berry's Online Value Estimator
  An online number crunching tool that enables owners and managers to estimate what their agency is worth. by Steven Brightbill March 2002
• Re-Thinking the Outsourced Customer Service Model
  Customers who need service have certain expectations. But is the industry's current fascination with outsourced customer service what they want? Does outsourcing make sense for the majority of agencies? by Steven Brightbill April 2002
• Communication - E-Mail Versus Me-Mail
  Has the convenience of e-mail dulled our ability to effectively communicate? by Wanda Shumaker. May 2002
• Policy Automation and MGAs
  Policy Automation and MGAs
  Internet-based policy rate and issue systems are coming into their own. by Erik Pedersen. May 2002
• Sound Strategy
  Ten Things to Think About When Comparing Windows and Browser-based Applications.  May 2002
• Sound Design
  How to Prepare for a Web Site Makeover
  Many agencies are discovering that their current Web presence is not doing the job they expected and realize it's time for a site makeover. But how to go about it? June 2002
• Sound Design: What Is a Web Strategy and How Do You Develop One?
  Any serious Web presence must start with a reason, a purpose, and a plan. Overlooking these essential elements is the root of most Web site failures. August 2002
• Re-evaluating Your Web Presence: Presenting Information about Your Agency Staff August 2002
• Sound Design: How Much Does a Web Site Cost?
  Many different activities and tasks go into creating a Web site. But like everything else, you end up getting what you pay for - whether in dollars and cents or in time and effort expended. by Steven Brightbill  September 2002
• The Online Do-It-Yourself Web Site Builder Option: Pros & Cons There are many reasons why thousands of agencies still do not have a Web site. For many, the prospect of doing all that work getting a Web site is a task that many prefer to avoid. Online do-it-yourself site building services certainly can simplify things, but there are limitations. by Steven Brightbill August 2003
• What to Make of Spam Hoopla Spam-related headlines, news articles, and hysteria reached a crescendo during May and June. Some predicted that the projected volume of spam would eventually shut down the Internet. While 79 percent of Americans say they want some kind of federal spam legislation, nearly half of business people say they do want to receive e-mail advertising despite their disgust with spam. What should we think about all this? by Steven Brightbill August 2003
• Business Plan Pro 2004 How to succeed in writing a business plan without really trying. by Vicki Brightbill August 2003
• Risks and Rewards of Offshore Software Development Vendors, carriers, brokers, and perhaps even agencies are beginning to outsource some technical and call center work to offshore service suppliers. Though potential cost savings are attractive, does going offshore make sense? by John Ashenhurst August 2003

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Marketing

• City-Quote - Turnkey Quoting Web Sites for Agents - Here's a clever idea that not only provides online quotes, but helps agencies stand out in their local community. June 2001
• Marketing Your Agency and Web Site Through E-mail Publishing: Want to do controlled, mass e-mailings? It can work but there are dangers. Here's how to evaluate its appropriateness and then set up a process and put it to work. May 2001
• Ten Ways to Boost Your Web Presence: How to make it more likely customers and prospects will find your site. February 2001
• Ten Ways to Market Your Web Site - Off the Web: a list of useful self-promotion tips. June 2001
• Case Study: A recent agency Web site evaluation reveals several reasons why one agency site is not producing the results hoped for with ideas and insights for making sure your Web site is doing its job. August 2001
• Vendor Review: Direct 121 - Direct121, a well-rounded package for generating sales leads and managing appointment August 2001
• Improving Your Web Site's Search Engine Visibility Having a great Web Site is of little value unless others can find it. Using search engines intelligently can generate better response. November 2001
• Rethinking your Insurance-specific Content
  Without content there is no reason to build a Web site. Visitors come to your Web site expecting to find meaningful and useful content. But what kind of content should you include? November 2001
• Adding Forms to Your Web Site
  Forms can be helpful tools when done right and for the right reasons. May 2002
• Web-based Newsletter Options
  Newsletters are a time-honored business-to-customer information medium...   June 2002
• Spam vs. Legitimate Mass E-mail The growing spam problem has sparked an equally growing anti-spam movement. Does that mean that the days of mass e-mail are numbered? by Steven Brightbill  May 2003
• Delaware Valley Underwriting Agency  Though this MGA initially created its site as an online brochure, the site now plays a major role its sales process and competitive strategy.
  by John Ashenhurst  May 2003
• How to Drive Traffic to Your Web Site with Targeted E-mail  People buy things from businesses they know and trust. Targeted e-mail directing visitors to your Web site can do the trick. by Steven Brightbill  May 2003
• Trying to Find an Independent Agent Online in St. Louis. In 1996, key voices within the independent agent ranks urged agencies to jump on the Internet bandwagon, get listed in directories and on locator services, and hang out their Internet shingle — all of which would drive insurance hungry consumers to their agency. What happened? What I found in St. Louis, Missouri is not encouraging. by Steve Brightbill. July 2003
• Paving the Cow Path: John Roblin, Carrier CIO, Vendor CEO, IVANS Chairman, Reflects on Insurance, Change, and Technology. How and why does the insurance industry lag other elements of the financial services sector in the creative use of technology? Is SEMCI still appropriate, or should agents and carriers share rather than transfer policy information? Are the ACORD standards the solution to the interface puzzle? by John Ashenhurst. July 2003

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News Notes

• NEWS NOTES  May 2003
• NEWS NOTES June 2003
• NEWS NOTES July 2003
• NEWS NOTES August 2003

Resources

• Resources - February 2001
• Resources - March 2001
• Resources - April 2001
• Resources - May 2001
• Resources - June 2001
• Resources - July 2001
• Resources - August 2001
• Resources - September 2001
• Resources - October 2001
• Resources - November 2001
• Resources - December 2001
• Resources - January 2002
• Resources - February 2002
• Resources - March 2002
• Resources - April 2002
• Resources - May 2002
• Resources - June 2002
• Resources - July 2002
• Resources - August 2002
• Resources - September 2002

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Reviews - Agency

• Lex Insurance of Concord, MA: An attractive and educational marketing site from a small agency. February 2001
• Hockley & O'Donnell of Gettysburg, PA: A focused and deliberative efforts yields a valuable Web site that includes comparative quoting. March 2001
• Case Study: A recent agency Web site evaluation reveals several reasons why one agency site is not producing the results hoped for with ideas and insights for making sure your Web site is doing its job. August 2001
• Agency Web Site Case Study -- Thousand Islands Agency: A Small Agency Uses Technology to Level the Playing Field. Imagination, some hard work, and practical use of Internet and other technologies can bring competitive advantage and efficiencies to small agencies. October 2001

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Reviews - Association/Organization

• IIAA and Its "Find an Agent" Service: What started out as a good idea has badly deteriorated. March 2001
• Association Case Study - CSIO Internet Portal: Canadian Brokers, Carriers Cooperate on Internet
  Our northern neighbors are actually solving Internet problems we just talk about. November 2001

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Reviews - Company

• You're in Good Hands (Your Own) with Allstate: Analysis of the Allstate Web site and its message for independent agencies. February 2001
• SAFECO, Agents, and the Internet - a comprehensive distributor automation strategy. July 2001
• Carrier Review: Safety Insurance. While some carriers search for an Internet strategy, Safety has been clear from the beginning. September 2001
• Carrier Review - Republic Group of Insurance Companies: Sometimes Less Is More. Republic listens to its agents and is taking a simpler, though practical, approach. October 2001
• Zurich Small Business: Carrier Uses Agent Portal as Engine of Growth. Zurich Small Business went to the Web early and hit a home run, pleasing agents and seeing 40% growth rates while improving its expense ratios. by John Ashenhurst April 2002
• Carrier Case Study
  Penn National Insurance: Regional Carrier Connects Agency Management Systems to Carrier Web Site
  This regional carrier has a vision to connect agency management systems to its online commercial lines agency rating, automated underwriting, and policy issue Web-based system - as well as provide a rich offering of information, inquiry, and functionality to consumers and agents. July 2002
• Carrier Web Site Review: Progressive Expands Its Agency Portal Offering with Server-based Rating, Agency Software Interconnectivity. Innovative personal auto carrier describes direct sales/agency sales Web strategies and demonstrates its Web-based successor to ProRater. by John Ashenhurst  September 2002

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Reviews - System

• System Review ebix.ASP: Next Generation Agency Management System
  Early this year ebix released its native Internet-based software. How does it compare to conventional, Windows-based systems? What does it do that even the best legacy systems can't? What's missing? What's coming? May 2002
• System Review XDTI's Nexsure, a Next-generation, Internet Hosted, Agency Management System
  XDTI aims at the next generation of independent agencies who sell a wider range of products, are eager to provide online self-service to their customers, and happy to let someone else manage the technology to do it.  August 2002

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Reviews - Vendor

• City-Quote - Turnkey Quoting Web Sites for Agents - Here's a clever idea that not only provides online quotes, but helps agencies stand out in their local community. June 2001
• Data Trails, Inc.: An agency-specific Web site development service that goes beyond the "cookie-cutter" approach. February 2001
• iKnack: Providing your customers with self-service benefits administration: Benefits can provide new sources of agency revenue and broaden agency service offerings. May 2001
• A Look at the Newly Redesigned IMMS Web Site: An updated IMMS Web site provides more information and better usability - plus content that can be private-labeled into agency Web sites. May 2001
• Online interactive help: IMMS using HumanClick. May 2001
• I-REP - Internet Service Representative: If you're an AfW user, here's an online customer service tool that integrates with your agency management system. June 2001
• Detailed Consumer Jewelry Information: Provided by JCRS gratis. April 2001
• Consumer-Focused Articles and Insurance Glossary: Content for agency sites from Rough Notes. April 2001
• eCertsONLINE: New Certificates ASP: Customer controlled online certificates from Insurance Visions. April 2001
• QuoteForms.com: Ready-to-use stock and custom electronic forms for your Web site. April 2001
• QuoteNETWorks: Comparative rating plug-in from Rating Services. March 2001
• Trellix Web: An easy-to-use tool for building and maintaining Web sites. February 2001
• WebFSC - Comparative Quoting for Agents' Web Sites: Here is yet another auto and homeowners quoting tool, but with a useful twist - it offers quotes in both English and Spanish. June 2001
• CSR24: idNET "Online service via agents' Web sites and an outsourced call center provide customers with more control and the agency with more perceived value.
• Direct 121: Direct121, a well-rounded package for generating sales leads and managing appointments. August 2001
• Claims Master: Claims Master, a claims management solution that agents can offer to their insureds. August 2001
• Riskclick. Finally, something for the producer. This ASP uses Internet technology to improve the commercial lines sales and placement process. September 2001
• e-Sher Underwriting Managers  e-Business: a Source of Risk and Opportunity. What's especially interesting about e-business exposure is that your business customers face it as well. October 2001
• Silver Plume Offers Sage
  It's especially noteworthy then when a new technology product is focused on sales, and in particular, on helping commercial lines producers put business on the books. December 2001
• Artizan Computing: a Builder of Higher-end Custom Agency Web Sites. If you’re serious about a high-functioning out-facing Web presence, here’s a custom site builder that can deliver. January 2002.
• PS4 Plus Sports New Features for Commercial Producers
  AMS has improved its veteran software product, PS4, making it more convenient and adding industry profiles and safety programs. March 2002

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Technology

• Groove: A New Technology Paradigm: Peer-to-peer collaborative computing and the commercial lines sales process. April 2001
• Insurance Technology and the Internet - Who Should Speak for Agent's Interests?: Editorial - Are agents getting lost in the shuffle as other industry players make decisions about insurance technology's direction? June 2001
• Technology Paradigms and Business Models: Entity vs. transactional vs. peer-to-peer paradigms and their application. April 2001
• Sound Tools: Firewalls - protecting your computer while online.  September 2001
• Macintosh Redux: Is Windows the Only Viable Business Computing Platform? With application software increasingly running on the Web, perhaps the Mac is a reasonable choice for an agency workstation or portable. January 2002
• Sound Tools - Of Hoaxes, Urban Legends, and Other Online Annoyances
  Do your well-meaning friends and associates send you unnecessary email? Are you concerned about spy programs watching you surf? February 2002
• Tool Kit: Useful Products, Services, & Web Sites
  Password and Form Fill-in, Remote Control Your PC, Everything That's Been Written about Online Quoting. February 2002
• Sound Tools - Get Rid of the Pesky Pop-Ups
  Annoyed by all those ads popping up all over your computer monitor? Try these utilities to make your browsing experience less cluttered. March 2002
• Sound Tools- Norton Internet Security
  A feature-rich firewall and anti-virus program from a respected industry source. June 2002
• Productivity Tools
  StarOffice Provides Alternative to MS Office
  By some measures, Microsoft owns 95% of the office productivity software market. Sun Microsystems, with StarOffice, now offers a lower-priced alternative that is both rich in functionality and easy to use. July 2002
• Product Review: Stamps.com — Web-based postage an efficient alternative for some. August 2002
• Sound Tools - Encourage Visitor Interaction with Online Surveys An online survey or poll can allow your visitor to interact with your agency and enable you to gather useful visitor information. This article describes surveys in general and reviews one particular online survey product. August 2002
• The Tablet PC -- Part One  Last fall a new kind of personal computer, the Tablet PC, entered the marketplace. For the first time, it’s practical to think of using a full-featured computer without needing a keyboard. The Tablet PC may have application in insurance, especially for producers, adjusters, and other peripatetic personnel. What is the Tablet PC? Does it really work as advertised? Should agents and carriers adopt it? by John Ashenhurst  May 2003
• Does Open Source Software Have Value for Agents? Open source is beginning to give Microsoft a run for its money — at least in certain areas — and IBM has put its considerable heft behind this technical and social phenomenon. Is there something here for agents? Can they save money on software? Can they get functionality they now don’t have? Maybe today; almost certainly tomorrow. by John Ashenhurst  June 2003
• SpamBayes: A Free and Effective Tool for Blocking Spam, if You're an Outlook User. Most everybody wants to do something to prevent spam from cluttering their e-mail box. If you're an Outlook user, free SpamBayes does a more effective job than a number of filtering programs you have to pay for. by Vicki Brightbil. July 2003
• Safeco Tests Tablet PC for Claims Applications The Tablet PC, introduced last year, seems to have promise for insurance industry use, but the only way to know is to try it out. Safeco recently spent some time studying the appropriateness of the technology. by John Ashenhurst August 2003
• Risks and Rewards of Offshore Software Development Vendors, carriers, brokers, and perhaps even agencies are beginning to outsource some technical and call center work to offshore service suppliers. Though potential cost savings are attractive, does going offshore make sense? by John Ashenhurst August 2003

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Web Site Design

• Data Trails, Inc.: An agency-specific Web site development service that goes beyond the "cookie-cutter" approach. February 2001
• Elements and Process of a Web Strategy: The preparation and process for creating a successful agency Web site strategy. March 2001
• Moving Beyond the Electronic Brochure: Maximizing your Web presence requires you to adapt your message to the medium. May 2001
• QuoteForms.com: Ready-to-use stock and custom electronic forms for your Web site. April 2001
• Size Matters: When visitors come to your Web site, they expect it to download to their screen quickly. Here are good ideas for keeping file sizes smaller, which enable faster download. June 2001
• Ten Aspects of Web Site Content Design: Cribbed from Jakob Nielsen. April 2001
• Ten Tips For Better Web Site Design: Cribbed from Jakob Nielsen. May 2001
• Trellix Web: An easy-to-use tool for building and maintaining Web sites. February 2001
• Tools for the Web Content Developer: a nifty HTML editor and a fast, efficient FTP utility. July 2001
• Writing for the Web - Visitors to your web site want information - quickly and concisely. July 2001
• Case Study: A recent agency Web site evaluation reveals several reasons why one agency site is not producing the results hoped for with ideas and insights for making sure your Web site is doing its job. August 2001
• Sound Tools:Tracking software lets you know who visits your Web site. August 2001
• Sound Design: Content is what Web site visitors expect, but developing it may be more challenging than you'd imagine.  September 2001
• Sound Design - Your Web Site's First Impression. Despite the cliché, your Web site's first impression may make the difference between whether visitors stay or leave. October 2001
• 10 Considerations for Building Your Own Web Site November 2001
• Options for Building Your Web Site
  Once the idea is hatched and the decision has been made, executing almost any project takes four basic ingredients: know-how, tools, skill, and time. If you personally have these four ingredients, you may want to attempt the project yourself. November 2001
• Options for Building Your Web Site - Part II
  For some agents, online site building services could provide a suitable alternative to developing a beginning or intermediate Web presence. The hard stuff is already figured out, and you can get some satisfaction that you built it. December 2001
• Options for Building Your Web Site - Part III
  Hiring a Web site builder may be an easy and convenient option, but it requires a different kind of involvement on your part. January 2002
• Rethinking your Insurance-specific Content
  Without content there is no reason to build a Web site. Visitors come to your Web site expecting to find meaningful and useful content. But what kind of content should you include? November 2001
• Rethinking your Agency-specific Content
  The goal of agency-specific content is to personalize and humanize your agency. December 2001
• AllWebMenus: Fast and Easy Drop-Down Menu Creation Tool
  Cross-browser compatibility and ease of use make this utility an excellent addition to your Web development tool box. January 2002
• Sound Design - Potential Value in a Personal Web Site
  Agency producers could enhance their prospecting efforts and build strong relationships via a personal Web site. Feburary 2002
• Check Your Site for Copyrighted Content
  Re-using another Web site's material without permission is both questionable and unprofessional. February 2002
• Contending With Broken Links
  Avoid trouble spots that give your Web site an unattended appearance. March 2002
• Adding Forms to Your Web Site
  Forms can be helpful tools when done right and for the right reasons. May 2002
• Commentary
  Why Many Agency Web Sites Have Failed
  Seven years ago Internet fever struck the insurance industry. Now, many agencies suffer from Web site malaise. by Steven Brightbill May 2002
• Sound Design
  How to Prepare for a Web Site Makeover
  Many agencies are discovering that their current Web presence is not doing the job they expected and realize it's time for a site makeover. But how to go about it? by Steven Brightbill June 2002
• Interview
  Ebix Builds a New Web Site for ACORD
  Every Web presence is a work in progress and ACORD takes the next step by having their site rebuilt by an industry veteran. June 2002
• Sound Design
  Agency Web Site Self-Evaluation
  This simple, easy-to-answer questionnaire will help raise awareness about your Web site and identify areas that should be re-evaluated and improved. July 2002
• Re-evaluating Your Web Presence: by Steven Brightbill, Assistant Editor Is Your Agency Proud of Its Web Site? July 2002
• Sound Design: How Much Does a Web Site Cost?
  Many different activities and tasks go into creating a Web site. But like everything else, you end up getting what you pay for - whether in dollars and cents or in time and effort expended. by Steven Brightbill  September 2002
• Review: Choosing and Using Insurance-specific, Self-service Software to Build and Maintain Your Agency Web Site
  Norvax and Business Web Builders provide online services that let an agency build and maintain a credible Web site, while requiring little time, effort, or expense. by John Ashenhurst September 2002
• Re-evaluating Your Web Presence: by Steven Brightbill
  Typography Basics for Web Sites
  Visitors come to your Web site for information, which is mostly in text form. Because the poor presentation of text content can detract from a Web site's usability, those responsible for the site should understand typography basics.  September 2002
• Sound Tools: Too Much Information: Web Site Statistics and How to Use Them How do you make sense of the "too much information" that you get from your Web site statistics program? by Vicki Brightbill September 2002
• Fast and Easy Web Site Forms Creation and Processing with csMailTo  Here’s a handy tool for collecting customer information from your Web site. by Vicki Brightbill  May 2003
• The Online Do-It-Yourself Web Site Builder Option: Pros & Cons There are many reasons why thousands of agencies still do not have a Web site. For many, the prospect of doing all that work getting a Web site is a task that many prefer to avoid. Online do-it-yourself site building services certainly can simplify things, but there are limitations. by Steven Brightbill August 2003

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Web Site Tips & Suggestions

• Ten Ways to Boost Your Web Presence: How to make it more likely customers and prospects will find your site. February 2001
• Ten Ways to Improve Your Web Site's Usability: Cribbed from Jakob Nielsen's Designing Web Usability. March 2001
• Ten Aspects of Web Site Content Design (Cribbed from Jakob Nielsen.) April 2001
• Ten Tips For Better Web Site Design (Cribbed from Jakob Nielsen.) May 2001
• Ten Ways to Market Your Web Site - Off the Web: a list of useful self-promotion tips. June 2001
• Ten Things to Look for in Application Service Providers (ASPs). July 2001
• Ten things to look for in your ASP's data center. August 2001
• Do You Have Contingency Plans for Moving Your Web Site? At some point in the life of your Web site, you will likely need to find new service providers. Regardless of the reason, you do not want to be left in the lurch with little or no control over the management of your Web site. What, then, can you do? October 2001
• 10 Considerations for Building Your Own Web Site November 2001
• Improving Your Web Site's Search Engine Visibility
  Having a great Web Site is of little value unless others can find it. Using search engines intelligently can generate better response. November 2001
• Options for Building Your Web Site
  Once the idea is hatched and the decision has been made, executing almost any project takes four basic ingredients: know-how, tools, skill, and time. If you personally have these four ingredients, you may want to attempt the project yourself. November 2001
• Rethinking your Insurance-specific Content
  Without content there is no reason to build a Web site. Visitors come to your Web site expecting to find meaningful and useful content. But what kind of content should you include? November 2001
• Ten Considerations for Using an Online Web Site Building Service
  Online Web site building services offer a different approach. Like building something from a kit, someone else does the hard part and provides the pieces, but you get the satisfaction of assembling it yourself. If this alternative seems appealing, consider these points before starting. December 2001
• Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Neglected Agency Web Sites.
  I looked at nearly 500 agency Web sites last month, and, boy, was I disappointed. Most showed signs of significant neglect. That’s unfortunate, because a Web site can and ought to be a well-crafted marketing communications tool. January 2002.
• Ten Tips for Finding and Working With a Web Site Builder. Most agencies will probably want to hire someone to build their Web site. It can be a lot easier than doing it yourself. But before you start looking, there are a number of things you should consider and be prepared for. January 2002
• Ten Tips on Home Page Usability -- Your homepage is the most important one on your Web site. It's where visitors form first impressions and it's the entry point to marketing, sales, and service content. February 2002
• Check Your Site for Copyrighted Content
  Re-using another Web site's material without permission is both questionable and unprofessional. February 2002
• Ten Things to Think About While Preparing for a Web Site Makeover   June 2002
• Ten Tips for Designing Useable Web Pages July 2002
• Ten Elements of an Ideal Agency Web Site August 2002
• Ten Features of an Ideal, Automated Self-service Agency Site Builder September 2002

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