Strategic insurance software is staying focused

Rough Notes, Sep 1997 by Doucette, Nancy

With some 600 systems in 25 states, SEMCI Partner does not have a formal user group in place. However, Browning explains, S.I.S. relies heavily on the input of groups of users. Focus groups look at many of S.I.S.'s products and features and provide guidance in developing and prioritizing these tools. "The focus groups are the most vocal," he says. "They tell us what they like and dislike about a particular product or function."

Even without a user group, though, the users of SEMCI Partner will be able to take part in the first user conference tentatively scheduled for the November/December timeframe. "It will be an information sharing experience," according to Browning. Users have expressed interest in learning more about how to use the tools which Partner provides.

Chris Carleton appreciates S.I.S.'s ability to listen. aS.I.S. hears my input and tailors the system to the agents' needs. Generally when you have a software program, it's not designed by the people who are going to use it every day."

Ed Browning points out that the fast approaching new millennium is ushering in a harsh reality for most agents: agency management systems based on older technology will no longer work and must be replaced very quickly. Many agencies today are discovering that their vendor did not tailor their system to meet the technological needs with respect to the Year 2000 date processing.

However, when SEMCI Partner was developed, S.I.S. built in Year 2000 compliance to meet this important agency need.

As agents now using other systems begin to address their own Year 2000 issues, Browning expects them to face significantly increased system costsespecially those agents who delay too long,. And, it will cause another shift in the current vendor population. Browning observes. "The Year 2000 issue is changing everybody's perspective on the industry."

And so is the Internet. Perhaps its biggest asset is its ability to reduce communications costs between agencies and companies. "The Internet isn't going to replace SEMCI. It's just another workflow," he continues. Initially S.I.S. will use its Web sites (http://www.semci.com and http://www.sisware.com) to distribute software and facilitate policy upload for companies that are Internet ready.

If your first name is SEMCI and your last name is Partner, your goals are readily defined; you almost have to begin with a clear understanding of your destination. According to Browning, S.I.S. has a clear view of the road ahead as he shares one of the vendor's near-term goals, based on Partner's abilities: "S.I.S. looks forward to accepting an interface award at the ACORD conference next year."