• Secure messaging enables confidential email communication. Your staff and clients can be sure all information is protected, even the most sensitive.  
• Document storage and management provides clients access to documents you decide they can see. Because the portal can integrate with many document management systems, allowing a client to view a document is as simple as a click.  Some agents find that a client portal is such a good tool for documents that it eliminates the need for a third-party storage provider. 
• Live chat enables clients to engage your staff in real-time.
• Personal information view and update requests make it easy for clients to keep policy data up-to-date. 
• Agency contacts customized to the client provide ready access to contact information for an account manager, producer or other support personnel at your agency.
• Management system Integration offers more enhanced connections between your client portal and your management system.
• Integration of third-party services makes your portal the single, easy-to-use interface for all client service needs. You can add:
  • Online payment options
  • Links to carriers
  • Access to client-only blogs
  • And more. The possibilities are limitless.
   

The CSR24 Client Portal from Artizan Internet Services allows agents to interact with clients on the Web. The login-secure portal is agency-branded and comes complete with self-service options including change requests, access to insurance documents.  

Forward-Thinking AMS360 Users to Meet in Atlanta

If you consider yourself a forward thinking user who like’s thinking outside the box, you need to give serious consideration to attending the upcoming PowerUsers meeting.  PowerUsers is designed for forward thinking AMS360 users, those who are READY to take their agency's technology initiatives to the next level. According to long time PowerUsers enthusiast, Mike Randles (president of Insurance Center, San Pedro, California), "I get as much, if not more, out of PowerUsers as I do conference.  I never miss conference, but the intimate nature of PowerUsers allows for more in-depth discussions with fellow users and Vertafore's development team.  Each year I come back with at least 10-15 new ideas we'd never thought of before." 

PowerUsers is not just about how to use your AMS360 system; it's about how to take your agency to the next level.  According to Mike, "It's about thinking outside the box.  When a passionate group of users get together to share tips and ideas, the whole independent agency system benefits from the increased efficiencies."  If your agency is looking for strong ideas and new ways to compete in today's marketplace, you owe it to yourself and your agency to attend.  Check out the great lineup of education and then plan to join us September 11-12 in Atlanta, GA.  Register by August 12 and SAVE $70.  As an added bonus, this year PowerUsers will be held in conjunction with the Vertafore Connection Conference.  Discounted registrations are available for VCC if you attend both meetings 

Strong Sagitta Experience NEEDED

 As a heavy Sagitta user, your expertise is needed to help guide discussions at the upcoming PowerUsers Conference.  According to Mitch Silver, fellow user and part of the PowerUsers planning team, “If you consider yourself an experienced Sagitta user, your participation is requested at the upcoming PowerUsers meeting….this is YOUR opportunity to give direct input into Sagitta 8.”  For those of you who have never attended, this is a one-of-a-kind networking and education event that allows seasoned Sagitta users the opportunity to see first-hand what plans are for Sagitta 8.1, as well as give direct  input into what those changes will look like in the new release. 

Instead of lectures, you’ll find “interactive discussions” on topics like:

• Sagitta 8.1 – what changes are happening with the User Interface, beyond just the home page and Rolodex — Discover how Client Search will be improved, plus how Vertafore Identity Management, Login and Administration will be integrated
• Universe 11 – improvements, workflow considerations, plus how to prepare for the upgrade and how you can leverage this technology for YOUR agency
• Open Forum – interactive forum for attendees to brainstorm ideas for Sagitta product management, usability and development
• R&D Discussion – find out what the R&D Committee is working on and give direct input into future product development, let your voice be heard
• Business Intelligence vs. Operational Reporting – what needs aren’t being met in today’s environment, how are agencies gathering info
• Word Integration and Alternatives to Proposals – explore various alternatives that will allow you to support YOUR sales process best

Join us September 11-12, in Atlanta, Georgia, for what promises to be the “meeting of the year” for Sagitta agencies.  Register by August 12 and SAVE $70. 

Introducing Vertafore® Free Training Fridays 

Coming August 12, Vertafore is offering free training every Friday, on the topics that are most requested by users. Each Friday Vertafore will host five one-hour training sessions on a wide variety of popular subjects. The sessions are free, so bring your questions!

Schedule At-A-Glance 

August 12:

• AMS360® – 7 Common Errors New Agencies Make and How To Avoid Them
• BenefitPoint® – eStatement Tool
• AMS360 – Downloads XLS to AL3 Utility
• AMS360 – End of Month Best Practices
• AMS360 – Introduction to Reports

 August 19:

• BenefitPoint – Mail Merge
• AMS360 – Doc360
• BenefitPoint – How to Create a Request
• AMS360 – Renewal List Tool
• BenefitPoint – Basic Reporting

Space is limited, so if you’ve been looking for more information on these topics, don’t miss this opportunity to register today at www.vertafore.com/freetrainingfridays. Be sure and check back often, new classes are being added weekly.

Have a suggestion for a new topic? Send it to FTFtopics@vertafore.com. 

Commercial Lines Download Now Available With Motorists Mutual Insurance Co. 

Motorists Mutual Insurance Co. is pleased to announce the availability of Commercial Lines Download for the following lines of business:

• BOP
• Commercial Auto
• General Liability
• Property
• Umbrella
• Workers’ Compensation

Motorists continues to adapt its technology to fit with ever-changing agency workflows and processes. They have made a major effort to blend their information technology investment with their historic “high-touch” approach to building and maintaining long-term agency relationships. To get started with downloading Motorists Mutual Commercial Lines, contact the Motorists Management System Support Desk at (866) 523-7301 or download@motoristsgroup.com.

NetVU believes Commercial Lines Download is an essential component that allows independent agencies to hold their nearly 80 percent market share in the commercial insurance marketplace.

For more information and resources on Commercial Lines Download, check out the NetVU Playbook.

ACT Gives Independent Agencies a Technological Boost 

NetVU is a proud supporter and participant in ACT (Agents Council for Technology), we are working on your behalf to make the independent agent distribution system stronger.  Please share this video within your organizations to show your colleagues the value of your participation in ACT. Check out this new video from the Big "I" CEO Bob Rusbuldt as he Spotlights Agents Council for Technology Resources to see the value of participation. 

Is your agency using all the available technological tools to enhance your productivity? Are you maximizing technology to better weather the tough economy and soft market? Are you confident that your agency emails are secure and your clients' personal information is completely protected? If you cannot answer "yes" to any of these important questions, click here to watch Big “I” President and CEO Bob Rusbuldt’s new video message on the crucial work the Agents Council for Technology does every day and how you can take advantage of it.

Review NetVU Playbook to find out what NetVU recommends to members and partners on hot industry initiatives.