Austin Agents Get First Look at The Academy’s New Imaging Book

Representatives from The Academy of Producer Insurance Studies met with the Independent Insurance Agents of Austin (IIAA) on April 14 at the Westwood Country Club in Austin, Texas, and presented several attendees with the first copies of the new Academy publication, Imaging at a Glance.

The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) is a Research Associate of The Academy and supports The Academy with its research. The new imaging monograph is the recent product of their collaboration.

Imaging at a Glance investigates the process and popularity of imaging—the electronic storage and management of documents and photographs—and explains the advantages of using the system for insurance agencies. Author Robert E. Dunn III brought 20-plus years of insurance industry experience and automation expertise to the new publication.

Jim Cuprisin, research director for The Academy, spoke to the group, and presented the research highlights from the study. Representing The Academy and The National Alliance along with Cuprisin were James Kallman, Ph.D, executive vice president of The Academy of Producer Insurance Studies, and Jack Frick, executive vice president of the National Alliance.

Cuprisin pointed out that while imaging is not a brand-new idea, many agencies are just beginning to embrace it, and of the agencies in the survey using it, 38 percent have used it for less than a year, and another 40 percent have used it for just one to three years.

“Imaging at a Glance concludes that agencies use imaging to save time and increase productivity, and timesaving efficiency was identified as the greatest benefit from using imaging,” Cuprisin said. Some obstacles to incorporating this technology were also discovered. Survey participants mentioned the learning curve and reluctance to accept change as the main difficulties. While imaging is not a perfect method for storing documents, the book points out how its advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Imaging at a Glance is available for purchase at $35 plus $3 shipping and handling. To order a copy, call (800) 526-2777 or send a fax to (512) 349-6194. For information on all Academy publications, visit the Web site, www.TheNationalAlliance.com.

The Academy of Producer Insurance Studies examines industry standards, averages and trends, and regularly publishes its findings in full-length books and industry guides. Research results are also woven into the education institutes, seminars and courses offered by The Academy’s parent organization, The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, a non-profit corporation headquartered in Austin.