BUILDING BLOCKS
FOR SEMCI SUCCESS

"...when applications are electronically submitted with complete, accurate information the first time without rekeying of information, it's a win-win for everyone: policyholders, agents, companies and SEMCI."

Duplication of work and incomplete applications are two of the major culprits contributing to the expense burden we continue to face in the property and casualty industry. We must view the elimination of duplicate work (e.g., rekeying of information) and submission of completed, accurate applications as the fundamental building blocks that drive the redesign of workflows between independent agents and their companies. The true benefit of SEMCI (single entry multi-company interface) will not be achieved unless these initial building blocks are securely anchored in our overall processes.

A year ago the Personal Insurance Division at Atlantic Mutual Companies began the lengthy project of process redesign/reengineering. The project's mission is "to become recognized by policyholders and agents as the premier provider of products and services within our selected markets in that we deliver superior service in an efficient manner." All aspects of the division's workflow and product offerings were examined.

The outcome of the design phase was a redesigned business process model for personal lines. This model reflects changes in the division's organizational structure, its products and the technical infrastructure for processing of personal lines business. A key component of the technical design is to maximize the use of electronic interfaces between Atlantic Mutual and our agents. These interfaces include effective upload and download, streamlined communications through the use of e-mail and access to company reference material, reports, etc. at our Internet Web site (http://www.atlanticmutual.com).

Emphasis on Standards

One of the major decisions reached during the design phase was to implement point of sale (POS) SEMCI support for the entry and editing of policy information through the use of industry-based ACORD electronic standards. Our commitment to SEMCI to support the redesigned business process model will require developing SEMCI capabilities for APT and Applied Systems. Incorporating our company-unique information requirements in the POS software will ensure that we have captured the necessary information to issue a policy correctly the first time, without the need for additional follow-ups.

Although the redesigned business process model will not be implemented until the second half of 1998, we already have begun our implementation of SEMCI. Our Personal Lines Distinctive Home and Atlantic Master Plan (package policy) products are fully supported through Applied Systems for new business processing. Additionally, we have licensed the APT Company Module™ and will shortly begin the development process of using APT software to address Atlantic's company-unique requirements. By the middle of 1998 we plan to be able to begin providing SEMCI processing to agencies that are SEMCI-enabled.

To date we have installed the APT software and attended the initial training session; thus far we are very encouraged by what we have experienced. The system is easy to use and provides significant capabilities for processing of relational edits. Perhaps more important, the staff at APT are always ready and eager to assist in whatever way they can.

Our personal lines download program has been underway for several years; and we are certified to download Personal Lines Atlantic Master Plan (AMP), Distinctive Home, fire, auto and home policy-level detail to the following vendor systems: AMS (Agena, Agency One, Pathfinder and Sagitta), Applied Systems, CompuWork, Delphi (Delphi Infinity, Insurnet, Redshaw and SMART systems) and Doris. Atlantic Mutual recently received the ACORD EDI Honor Roll Bronze Level award.

We look forward to working with APT and to the continued development of its current and future SEMCI products. As an APT Director and member of its Executive Committee, Atlantic Mutual Executive Vice President John Hahn will have a front row seat from which to view and help guide all APT developments.

We recognize that for SEMCI to benefit both agents and companies, interface processing must include upload (agency-to-company) and timely download (company-to-agency). Additionally, when applications are electronically submitted with complete, accurate information the first time without rekeying of information, it's a win-win for everyone: policyholders, agents, companies and SEMCI.*