Being 'AUGIED' Ain't Bad

To The Editor:

Ara Trembly's June 3 “Technology Enabled” column (“Help! Agents Have Been AUGIED,” page 33) had the best of intentions, yet missed the mark. In addition, he also failed to understand that 15 surveys are really the direction for 15 future market force demands. [Editor's Note: One agent cited in the column about the AUGIE survey on agency technology lamented that 'This is easily the 15th year in a row filling out the same questions."]

To his credit, Mr. Trembly is correct in the fact that it does not take a psychic to understand the goal of AUGIE. In actuality, all it takes is common sense.

Common sense alone should tell you that all changes against the unfortunate delayed advancement of total technology integration should be directed towards those who have impeded progress since the beginning. For now, lets call them “The Giants.” For years, “The Giants” have stood in the way of the smaller independent agents desire to streamline communication.

Does this stem from fear? Fear of losing control? Fear of giving way to market forces? Fear of competition? “The Giants” fears will have to be faced.

Market forces continue driving forward the independent agents demand for more efficient and cost-effective means of product delivery and communication. History clearly demonstrates that market forces and the will of the masses cannot be overcome.

Rather than fight, point fingers, or pit article against article, it is time to embrace advancing technology and communicate more efficiently. It is time to lay fear to rest and outline a clear vision for the future, a vision that benefits all parties–but most importantly, benefits the most significant player at the tablethe customer.

Mr. Trembly sees a 20-year battle with no end in sight. AUGIE participants representing the agency management system user groups envision an integrated insurance industry, and have demonstrated that we will devote all the resources necessary to achieve this goal. It is our long-term survival thats on the line.

Pam Parry
President
AMS Users Group
Irving, Texas

Reproduced from National Underwriter Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, July 8, 2002. Copyright 2002 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.

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Letter to the Editor: Being 'AUGIED' Ain't Bad

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