NU Online News Service, April 9, 2:55 p.m.EDT

The Real Time/Download campaign, an effort by a confederation ofagents, insurance companies and independent agent trade groups tofind speedy workflow systems, said it has increased the number ofits webinar offerings.

Citing strong agent and carrier interests, the Campaign said ithas added dates to its monthly webinars titled, "Real Time: TheNext Major Advance in Agency Workflow,"

The Campaign said the hour-long sessions provide independentagency owners and employees a free, convenient opportunity tounderstand how to leverage a wave of change underway that improvescustomer service and agency profitability. The upcoming sessionsare scheduled for May 6 and June 3.

"Why should agency staff take an hour out of their day to learnabout Real Time?" asked campaign co-chair Cyndy Smith, vicepresident and director of technology at Haylor, Freyer & Coon,Syracuse, N.Y. in a statement.

She noted that, "Agencies using this advanced workflow aresaving 30 minutes or more per day per customer servicerepresentative (CSR). So in less than a week, CSRs will see areturn on the time they invested in attending the webinar."

The campaign said that more than 1,000 insurance professionalshave participated in the webinars already this year. In eachsession, presenters explain real time, demonstrate itscapabilities, discuss benefits, and outline steps agencies andbrokerages can take to implement real time or increase its usage.They also discuss the increasing importance of download, whichcompletes the round trip of data between agency and carrier.

The Real Time/Download Campaign does not advocate a specifictechnology, but rather a workflow approach that frees up time foragencies to sell, process and service business. Most agents andbrokers can leverage tools already embedded in their managementsystems or comparative raters.

Attendees can to listen to the audio through computer headsetsor speakers or by dialing a long-distance number.

A recorded version is available on demand at www.getrealtime.org. Agents canregister for the May 6 event at www1.gotomeeting.com/register/771210636.Registration for the June 3 session is at www1.gotomeeting.com/register/770965005.A presentation outline is available at www.getrealtime.org/active/powerpoints.asp.