What’s New, And Not So New, in Technology?
Cool Apps
There are apps available on smartphones and tablet devices today that agents and brokers utilize for live streaming (Ustream), scanning documents (JotNot), conferencing (GoToMeeting and others), VoIP calls (Skype), and many more. Rick Morgan, senior vice president of Aartrijk, says where he used to have many tech gadgets while traveling, today he only uses a smartphone and an iPad. “I even use my iPhone to create a Mi-Fi hot spot. I use Google Docs and Dropbox for online doc storage and collaboration. I use Evernote for taking notes, and Dragon and Vlingo for voice recognition. I use Spotify for music sharing. Of course I use Pages, Keynote, and Numbers (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) apps as well.”
Patricia Alexander, an insurance agency consultant, coach and mentor, says some agencies now have iPhone and Android apps for their clients to access information about the agency, obtain insurance quotes from the agency, and even to report a claim. Some apps help deliver information to agency clients when services such as a wrecker are needed, she adds.
Cameras and Video
Cameras and video devices on phones today are helping industry professionals in many ways, including property and/or auto inspections, accident scenes and other property losses such as fires and floods.
Tablet Devices
The iPad and other tablet devices are taking over at industry conferences. Professionals use these tools, which in many instances are replacing laptops, to take notes and manage their e-mails at events. Some independent agencies and brokerages are setting up iPads so the devices will log producers into the agency’s network. So even while producers are off-site, their iPad connections allow them to have access to everything they would have on a desktop or laptop, including access to email accounts, the agency management system, the client portal, etc.
Mapping Tools
Google images are nothing new but continue to prove effective when investigating an insured’s home or business building prior to insuring the property. Adjusters also use Google tools for comparing before and after images during a damage claim. And who could live without today’s navigation tools? Global positioning satellites, or GPS systems, help just about everyone in the industry.