University Park, IL (April 8, 2004) � Applied Systems, Inc. announced today that Safeco�s release of Safeco Now™, a point-of-sale technology for independent agents, includes personal lines bridging that is fully supported by IVANS Transformation Station™ bridge transactions.
All current versions of The Agency Manager®, The Agency Manager� Vision Series™ software from Applied Systems will support this new quote-and-issue system via Transformation Station using the real-time rate transaction. Agents can take advantage of the systems� ability to bridge to Safeco Now for quoting and selling � in just minutes � any existing or prospective auto or homeowners policy.
Effective today, Safeco agents in Connecticut, Washington, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Florida, Colorado, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio can use Safeco Now to quote personal auto and homeowners insurance. This broadens Safeco Now�s online sales capability to seven products: business owners, commercial auto, workers compensation, commercial umbrella, surety, as well as personal auto and home. Agents in Safeco�s remaining 29 states will gain personal auto and homeowners� access in May and June. A commercial lines bridge is in development for an early 2005 introduction.
�Applied Systems is proud to have collaborated with Safeco to deliver an efficient workflow for agents to quote and issue Safeco policies. Our mutual agents have been requesting this and I am thrilled with the end solution Safeco provided. We are committed to providing our clients with the technology they need to provide their clients with timely service and keep a competitive edge,� stated Doug Johnston, Executive Vice President of Interface at Applied Systems.
Anne Randall, vice president of automation for Safeco Personal Insurance said: �Safeco and Applied worked very hard at developing a system that will allow our agents to spend less time with data and more time with customers.�
About Applied Systems: Applied Systems is the leading provider of automation solutions for the property and casualty insurance industry. Since 1983, the company has developed software for independent insurance agents, brokers, managing general agents, and insurance companies, as well as banks and other financial institutions with insurance operations. Applied has helped more than 10,000 insurance organizations achieve new levels of success using its leading management systems, The Agency Manager®, The Agency Manager® Vision Series™, and The Diamond System™. Developments in electronic data interchange have also contributed to Applied�s position as the industry�s technology frontrunner. Combined with consulting services and third-party integration, Applied Systems automates insurance transactions at every level of distribution, from customer to carrier. For more information: www.appliedsystems.com.
About Safeco: Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle that sells insurance and investment products through independent agents, brokers and financial advisors nationwide. Safeco products help individuals and small businesses protect what they value and secure their financial future. More information about Safeco can be found at www.safeco.com.
