As if agency management systems, carrier interface, real-time transactions and uploads and downloads weren't enough, other technologies relevant to insurance agencies continue to develop at a brisk pace. One of the more recent trends is using an imaging or document management system to create and store electronic versions of paper documents. By itself, the decision to switch to a completely new process of storing documents can be intimidating. Agencies willing to make this leap then face a series of related questions, such as how to find a scanner, how to use it, and what to do with documents once they have been scanned.

At the recent 28th National Conference of the AMS Users' Group in Indianapolis, a panel of experts considered these questions and more. The panel was moderated by Steve Anderson, publisher of "The Automated Agency Report," which covers technology issues for insurance agencies. Panelists included Ted Baker, president and CEO of Advanced Automation; Dan Deserto, president of Lumtron Technologies; Steven P. Finch, executive vice president of Computers by Design; and Dave Lunceford, national sales engineer with DocStar. Edited excerpts from the conversation follow.

Steve Anderson: We seem to be hearing more and more about scanning and imaging. Are they the same thing?