Volume 6, Issue 4
August 2007

In this issue:
TAM and Vision new releases; TENCon sign-up

What’s new with TAM and Vision?

With the next major version of TAM (9.0, available later this month), Applied Systems continues its progress on rewriting the system in VB.NET. More areas of TAM have been migrated to the VB.NET platform, giving you extended database size, greater accessibility, and more benefits.

In addition, a number of new features and modifications improve TAM’s functionality and keep your agency and broker management system performing the way you need it to. Vision users also will see features and functions in Vision 5.0 that enhance business efficiencies.

AppliedOnline clients will receive email notice when your upgrade to TAM 9.0 or Vision 5.0 is scheduled. LAN clients on any iteration of TAM 8.0 or Vision 4.0 should watch Facts Express, the client portal at appliedsystems.com, and email for announcements that your upgrades are available. LAN users on any versions before TAM 8.0 and Vision 4.0 should contact Support for upgrade assistance (U.S. 800-999-6512, Canada 800-617-4666). As always, software upgrades are provided as part of Applied Systems Customer Support. You incur no additional fees for software upgrades.

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Annual conference delivers must-have information for your business
by Lynn Walsh, Director, Member Relations, ASCnet, Inc.

ASCnet, the official user group for Applied Systems customers, invites you to attend its 22nd annual Technology, Education and Networking Conference (TENCon) October 16-19 in Orlando, Florida.

TENCon is the largest and most important annual gathering for Applied Systems software users. Meet, network, and learn with other insurance professionals who run their businesses with TAM, Vision and DORIS technology. This year’s theme is “Dream. Plan. Achieve.”

Principals and owners: TENCon offers something for you and everyone on your staff:

• More than 85 education sessions designed specifically for Applied Systems software users providing solutions and best practices for your most challenging issues.

• More than 70 vendors showcasing the industry’s latest products and services.

• Time with Applied Systems staff to discuss your system and learn what's new and in the works.

• Opportunity to meet with your current suppliers, discuss your agency/brokerage goals and turn ideas into action.

• The Leadership Workshop: Authentic Leading, designed to address and enhance the communication skills you need to become an effective leader.

• Two featured speakers and book signings:
  • Giovanni Livera, opening keynote speaker and author of three books including, “Live a Thousand Years.”
  • Simon Bailey, inspirational speaker, motivator and author from The Imagination Institute.

• Networking opportunities to forge and strengthen relationships with other users and place faces with the names you have connected with on the ASCnet Newsgroups.

• Much, much more!

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Achieving YOUR business dream

Six Client Solutions sales representatives will be available to meet with you at 2007 ASCnet TENCon to discuss your business dream and assist you in creating a plan so you can achieve your goals.

Contact Client Solutions today at [email protected] or 800.999.5368 to make your appointment with Senior Account Representative Barbara Becker, Account Representatives Mary Snyder, Sue Veen, or Vicki Deatherage; Mike Virgilio, Client Solutions Supervisor for Canada;or Darryl Edwards, Client Solutions Representative for Canada.

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New training program for the way you learn

Applied Systems is preparing to release a new training approach called Guided Virtual Learning™, which is introduced in “New-Era Online Training: It’s Appealing and It Works,” an article in the current issue of ASCnet Quarterly (Second Quarter 2007).

Our Client Learning Services staff plans a thorough presentation and interactive demos at 2007 ASCnet TENCon, this year’s annual ASCnet user group meeting scheduled for October 16-19, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The first curriculum, for TAM users, will cover:

• Client Servicing
• Setup and Administration
• Reports and Marketing
• Accounting

Click here for a peek at one of our engaging new interactive tutorials. Additional tutorials will be available soon. More than ever before, our training program is designed to help you make the most of your agency management technology in ways that help you optimize training time without taking precious time away from your job. For information on Applied Systems’ new Guided Virtual Learning curriculum, please contact Client Solutions at [email protected] or 800-999-5368.

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Strategic Services help capitalize on technology

Visit the Applied Systems Strategic Services booth at 2007 ASCnet TENCon and speak with a representative about the various services that can assist your agency in maximizing employee efficiency, improving the way you manage your business, and increasing opportunities for account development – all with the agency management tool you already have at your disposal. 

Ask how we can customize any of our services especially for your agency. Some key consulting services our representatives can highlight include:

• System Utilization Review, a comprehensive, business-focused analysis that provides business-transforming recommendations with a tangible ROI benefit.  Each recommendation is designed to bring a certain level of standardization and consistency to your daily workflows.
• Document Management, an evaluation to determine the document management method that will best benefit your agency. Includes a review of tactics to make the process of scanning/imaging/document storage/retrieval work for you.
• High-impact Marketing, an evaluation of how your agency uses the TAM Marketing module to help you meet business growth objectives through automated marketing campaign development, execution, and results tracking.

For additional information on Applied Systems Strategic Services, contact Client Solutions at [email protected] or 800-999-5368.

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In the spirit of users helping users

Our customers tell us they learn a lot from hearing about the experience of other Applied Systems users. If you plan to attend 2007 ASCnet TENCon and you would like to share YOUR Applied Systems success story, we would love to capture you on video for posting on our website.

Video success stories are brief accounts of a positive experience involving your use of Applied Systems products and services. Some possible success story topics:

• How has TAM or Vision helped your agency save time and money?
• What benefits do you experience from using fax@vantage and InScope?
• How do our interface services make for more efficient communication with your carriers?
• How do our Customer Support technicians make your business life easier?
• How do our sales or strategic consultants help you make the most of your technology?

To request information or to submit your agency’s name for a video success story appointment during TENCon, please email Sheryl Feminis, marketing communications editor, at [email protected]. To allow us to schedule as many success stories as possible at times convenient for participants, please respond by September 10.

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Transformation Station key to safe real time communication with carriers

Are you considering a third-party vendor who allows you to bridge data from TAM or Vision? You could end up creating extra work and increased E&O risk because of these factors:

• Using an open Internet connection, it could take 10-15 minutes to complete an application for a quote. You could expose your system to outside intrusion like hacking and viruses.
• When completing an application you will have to leave TAM or Vision and enter data into another system. For new business, there will be no record made in TAM or Vision, requiring more work to set up.
• Some rating vendors do not offer true real time rates with all carriers. Many rates may not be accurate.
• E&O carriers say that there is more exposure because data can be manipulated between management system and carrier system.

For worry-free operation, look to IVANS® Transformation Station™. This managed information exchange between you and your carriers is included in your maintenance fees for batchback software, and it is completely integrated with TAM and Vision.

When you use Transformation Station, your carrier receives the original record exactly the way you send it. Further, Transformation Station enables you to:

• Rate and issue policies through Transformation Station carriers in real-time
• Submit real-time First Notice of Loss
• Bridge data to a company’s website
• Perform real-time inquiries to companies for Billing and Payment Status, Policy Status, Claim Status and Loss Run Reports

For more information on Transformation Station, click here.
For a free Transformation Station training session, click here.
For information on real time technology implementation, visit www.getrealtime.org.

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How to get the most from your Dell purchases

  To get the best savings and service when you purchase Dell hardware, be sure to start on Dells’s premier page for Applied Systems customers at http://dell.com/appliedsystems.

Access the Standard Configuration tab (highlighted in the accompanying graphic). You can then build your own workstation based on supported Applied Systems specifications and see the amount you’re saving.

When you purchase items from the Standard Configuration tab on Dell’s premier site, Applied Systems offers installation service by one of our Microsoft Certified Installers as well as hardware support.

If you recently purchase hardware from the Standard Configuration tab on Dell’s premier site and you’re interested in receiving information on installation, contact Client Solutions at [email protected] or 800.999.5368.

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 Applied Systems on the road

Our representatives look forward to meeting you at the following events. To find out where we will be in upcoming months, click here. If you would like information on Applied Systems products or services prior to an event, please email your request to [email protected].

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New users expand Applied Systems global community

A warm welcome to the following agencies and brokerages that are in the process of implementing Applied Systems technology and services:
 

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Applied Systems, Inc.

200 Applied Pkwy., University Park, IL 60466
800-999-5368 Sales  ·  800-999-6512 Support
www.appliedsystems.com

Applied Systems Canada, Inc.

201 Watline Ave., Mississauga ON L4Z1P3
800-387-2028 Sales  ·  800-617-4666 Support
www.appliedsystems.com