Insurance technology company Applied Systems has acquiredArtizan Internet Services, expanding capabilities around agency andbroker management systems while meeting the demand for onlinecommunication between agents and insurance consumers.

Among the software products Artizan brings into the AppliedSystems fold is CSR24, a solution that allows agents to offer theirinsureds agency-branded, online customer service, includingon-demand access to their policy information.

In addition, CSR24 enables 24/7 claims reporting on the Web andby phone as well as self-service elements, including the ability toprint documents such as auto ID cards, policies, and manyadditional documents stored on agency management systems.

“We heard the agent and broker community clamoring for secure24/7 connection to their own customers, and we knew this was thenext level of service we could provide for insuranceprofessionals,” says Applied Systems chairman and CEO James P.Kellner as he announced the acquisition along with Richard H. Roy,Artizan president.

Kellner and Roy believe that together, Applied Systems andArtizan offer new advantages for managing insurance relationships.The centerpiece of the new union is the integration of CSR24—andlater, other Artizan products—with all agency or broker managementsystems.

For some time, Applied Systems TAM, Epic andVision have been among the agency and brokermanagement solutions that integrate with CSR24. Kellner and Roybelieve that common ownership will foster development for greaterefficiencies and effectiveness. They emphasized that Artizanwill continue to develop and deliver solutions for agency andbroker management systems from all technology vendors, notjust those from Applied Systems.

Kellner said the Artizan acquisition came about after heconsulted with Roy on the future development of a 24/7onlineconsumer connection. Roy's company wanted additional financialresources to advance the technology and grow Artizan's staff andinfrastructure, according to Kellner. He noted that Artizan willmaintain its headquarters in Windsor, Conn., as well as itsdevelopment office in Phoenix. The entire Artizan management teamand staff remain in place.

In addition to CSR24, Artizan products include InsWorld, anelectronic publishing and communication service; certTrax, aWeb-based system for reviewing and managing certificates ofinsurance for compliance; and WebServices for templated andcustomized agency or broker Web site design. Since the acquisition,Artizan has undertaken CSR24 testing to develop integration withbroker management systems in Canada. Those integrations aretargeted for later this year.

“Every agency and broker office is looking to make the most ofexisting sales and service operations,” Kellner said. “Artizan'ssuite of products and services allows them to enhance the workthey're already doing everyday with their agency and brokermanagement systems.”