Category: Agency Management System Connectivity

Founded five years ago, NxTech offers carriers a solution that integrates directly with their existing systems using XML technology. Known as ConneXt, the solution suite allows companies to integrate more easily with trading partners, agencies, Web portals, and other vendors' systems. Capabilities include real-time service-oriented architecture interfaces, legacy system data access and distribution, and data manipulation. The solution is a RAVE Award winner in the agent connectivity category.

Based in Milford, Ohio, NxTech employs 15 people. To date, the company notes it has implemented about 160 connectivity solutions for more than 30 customers.

Bauer and Tedrick each have worked in the industry for more than 20 years. Before founding NxTech, Tedrick owned another business, where he and Bauer learned what worked and what didn't.

Customer Quote:
NxTech ConneXt

Good project management skills. In our case the product was delivered on time and on budget, which is a rarity for IT projects.

"Because we have such a strong understanding of vendor processes and of how carriers are trying to talk to their agents, we were able to develop a technology that gives people what they need," Bauer says. "We're all insurance experts, and the P&C industry is the only market we deal in."

NxTech's tagline is "Total Interface Solution," a fitting description for a company that, Bauer says, delivers all aspects of an interface solution from implementation to software management.

"A lot of customers like us because they only have to deal with one vendor," Bauer explains. "They don't have to try to implement the solution themselves or deal with three or four different parties. They can come to us, and we can manage those relationships as well as actually deliver a solution. We are the neutral party that can deal with anyone and everyone."

Bauer also credits the solution suite's high customer ratings to its flexibility and ability to run on several different environments. "We start with a core product that has been tried and tested," he says. "Then, we deliver specific changes to each of our customers. The carrier doesn't need to have any expertise."

Honorable Mention: AgencyPort AgencyConnect

Our tool normalizes many different formats into one, integrates the data stream into carriers' back-office systems, and includes a pop-up interface that allows agents to correct data errors or insert missing data quickly.

–Mason Power, vice president of product and market strategy

Customer Quote:
AgencyPort AgencyConnect

AgencyPort is a great partner with good technology and a great staff. They are customer focused and conduct themselves with a level of integrity that is rare in the industry.