Improving the Handling of Passwords in the Real-Time Environment
At its February, 2009 meeting, ACT approved this major business case to encourage carriers and vendors to improve the way passwords are handled in the real-time environment. The problem today is that real-time transactions frequently error out because the user’s password has expired. It then takes the agent 5-10 minutes to update the password on the carrier Web site, the agency system real-time tool, and to begin the transaction all over again. The Business Case outlines the pros and cons of the current real-time environment and then provides carriers with several recommendations to improve their real-time password workflow-- most of which are in practice today with some carriers. The recommendations include giving agents advance notice before passwords expire; considering non-expiring, more complex passwords for real-time transactions or at least passwords of a longer duration (such as annual); implementing password synchronization with the vendor systems so agents can make password changes in the midst of real-time transactions; and working with vendors to develop a delete user real-time transaction.
Word PDF Industry Commits to Promote Agents’ Ease of Doing Business
Our March article is designed to introduce you and the broader agency force to the industry's Real-Time/Download Campaign, which is now launching, and how the Campaign's broad group of supporters, including every type of stakeholder, are making a major commitment to promote agents' ease of doing business. The article draws upon several pieces of the Campaign's work which are directly relevant to the agents. Please feel free to use this article in your agent communications and publications. Click here. Ease of Doing Business: A Winning Strategy
Several carriers are taking important steps to be easier to do business with for their independent agencies. Here are the top 10 ways these carriers are improving agent-carrier workflows. click here
Effective Communication and Training of Technology Issues to Independent Agencies and Brokers
This report provides the industry with guidance on how to communicate and train agencies in new technologies and workflows most effectively and provides compelling "success stories" that will motivate agencies to implement real-time interfaces, commercial lines download, and strategies to become "paperless." Productive Agency Visits by Insurance Carrier Marketing Reps Guide
Carrier marketing reps who are knowledgeable about the carrier's Real Time, Download, and other technology benefits play an important role in promoting the carrier's ease of doing business with its agency force. This AUGIE guide is a must for both carriers and agencies planning agency-carrier marketing visits. | 
