Technology is moving quickly, and businesses are forced to keep up with the changing technological demands of their clients and employers. The insurance industry is no exception. Mobile phone applications not only cater to needs of clients, but agents can rely on apps for greater productivity.

Whether agencies use apps as a way to engage their clients or as a tool for agency management and organization, mobile applications have become an integral component of the work place. Apps streamline the business process, a benefit for both clients and agents, alike.

From easing the work process while on a business trip, to tools for agency management, to a customized mobile app for your business, mobile apps have become inseparable from the modern agency. Click through the following slides for ways to integrate apps in the workplace.

Mobile Apps Open the Door for Agents

In the early days of smartphones, the phrase "there's an app for that" was more of a punch line than a reality. In recent years, though, this phrase has become more of a reality. With more than 900,000 apps in the Apple iTunes store, there is nearly an app for everything. Apps for insurance agencies should be no exception.

Nearly 61 percent of mobile phone subscribers have smartphones, and according to app analytics firm Flurry, smartphone users spend roughly 80 percent of their time on their phones in apps. Although some agencies may not see the need for an app, they are neglecting a massive audience and ignoring some of the advantages of mobile applications such as extending the company's image, increased self-service capabilities and expense reduction.

For more on why mobility is advantageous in the insurance industry, read "Mobile Apps Open the Door for Agents."

IQ: 8 Favorite Apps for Business Owners

The number of mobile apps on the market is astounding, but differentiating the good from the bad can be difficult. In using mobile applications to aid in productivity and organization, employers need to find the best apps that fit with the dynamics of the agency.

Upstart Business Journal compiled a list of the top 8 apps for business owners. The apps are reasonably priced and are designed to optimize efficiency in the workplace. From easy document sharing among employees to detailed expense reports, these apps succeed in simplifying the work environment for business owners and employees, alike.

Read IQ: 8 Favorite Apps for Business Owners for a complete list of the best apps for conducting day-to-day business.

5 Apps for Your Next Business Trip

Whether you're on a business trip or habitually working even though you're on vacation, staying up-to-date while on the go can be a challenge for agents and producers.

Travelling can be a hassle, but working away from the office doesn't have to be. Read 5 Apps for Your Next Business Trip for mobile apps that can help ease the struggles of working on the run.

Mobile Musts

Current trends in smartphone capabilities and owner usage make moving toward mobility necessary for relevancy in the technological age.

Though some agencies do not see the world of opportunity and advantage mobile applications provide, mobile technology is here to stay. Applications have become the key to keeping your brand visible and maintaining connectivity and accessibility with clients.

Read Mobile Musts to learn why going mobile is not just an added "bonus feature" for clients. It is necessary for agency development and keeping up with competitors.

Insurers Only Scratching the Surface When it Comes to Mobile Apps

Many agencies realize the benefits of going mobile to cater to clients. Developing apps to enhance customer engagement and establish brand visibility is fundamental in staying competitive in the modern industry.

But creating apps alone is not enough. Customers need to be taken into account to determine the overall contribution of a mobile app to a business. Is the customer base aware of the app? Have they downloaded it? Do they find it useful? Do mobile capabilities prompt customers to choose one agency over another?

Though having a mobile presence is crucial for agencies, it is important to know whether the app is relevant to the customer.

Read "Insurers Only Scratching the Surface When it Comes to Mobile Apps" for the results of a Deloitte Center for Financial Services focus group on the subject, and learn how to leverage mobile apps as an asset and differentiator in the current market.

Special Reports /

Keeping Up With Technology: Going Mobile

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