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Like other stories on spark360, this one – all about insurance agency software solutions – begins with a need that wasn’t being met; a simpler way to do something that hadn’t been invented yet. All it took was an entrepreneurial push to make it happen.

That, and “cloud” computing, to help create a new business out of thin air.

Like the other founders of Dallas-based software company Agency Matrix, chief operating officer Jeff Johnson had worked as an independent insurance agent. He was familiar with the challenges those agents faced on a daily basis – challenges in managing a book of business (all the insurance on an insurer’s books at any given time), the staff of the office and the budget. Computers and specialized insurance agent software is supposed to make running a small agency easier, but that’s not always the case.

“There are a lot of good systems out there, but the level of complexity that’s involved in them is what turns a lot of agencies away, so they’re looking for something that meets their needs but is simple and is easy to learn,” Johnson said.

Johnson and the other executives turned to software developers and helped them write an insurance agency management system that would address their concerns, but also wouldn’t require both a computer science degree and deep pockets to install and run. The result is Agency Matrix, a 100-percent web-based insurance agency software solution and management system that harnesses the power and efficiencies in so-called “cloud” computing – also known as SaaS (Software as a Service).  It’s the same concept that’s offered by larger companies to power back-office infrastructure for customer relationship management (CRM) and application development.

Agency Matrix’s server computers do all the work, not the desktop PC’s in a small agency’s office. The servers host all the infrastructure and agency automation – databases, form generation, billing and invoices. “There’s no system specifications required in the agent’s office. We let them know you don’t have to install anything, you don’t have to download anything, we host it all,” Johnson said. “Anywhere you have internet access, you have access to Agency Matrix. Even on your mobile devices – your iPhones or what not.”

The training required to master Agency Matrix involves a half-hour to get agents up and running with coverage and polices for customers. Instead of a license for each user, there’s only one issued to the office. And because everything is hosted in the cloud, Agency Matrix only requires a monthly fee of $89 to help agents bring their offices into the 21st century.

Those wondering about the security aspects of cloud computing should know that Agency Matrix uses leading-edge encryption technologies to protect customer – and company – information. “The level of security that our agencies receive in protecting that information is what you would receive, or even higher, than some of the largest banking institutions in the world or even the military,” Johnson said.

Cloud computing allows Agency Matrix to grow its insurance management system as an agency’s business grows. Consider the company’s servers as secure, endless file cabinets, able to withstand unlimited uploads of documents and images while sending updates in web-based management software down to the agency offices. “As we do add upgrades and add features, we can push them out instantly so that all agents can experience the benefits of them right away,” Johnson said .

To see more features of Agency Matrix’s management system, visit the website at www.agencymatrix.com

Renay San Miguel:

It’s not exactly breaking news that the web is sparking innovation, but it is true that more companies are finding themselves elbow to elbow with competitors all promising to use the web to cut cost boost efficiency and profits. Take Insurance, with one company combining both software and the internet to help their client’s edge for success.

Jeff Johnson:

Agency Matrix is an agency managing system designed to by agents for agents.  We all have an agency background so we know the challenges the agents encounter on a day-to-day basis. 

Renay San Miguel:

The software development crews at Agency Matrix say that they’ve written a policy for day-to-day change and it’s in the cloud.  Cloud- computing a revolutionary technology trend also called software as a service.  An agency’s office info structure, sits on Agency Matrix servers.  The web becomes a secured endless file cabinet form generator all customizable and scalable.  It’s the same concept being offered by much larger companies, automating many aspects of office features, but at low monthly cost.  That means, if independent agents want to offer a world- wide-web of service within their budget’s Agency Matrix say’s, it has them covered.  Joining me now is Jeff Johnson he is the Chief Operating Officer for Agency Matrix.  Jeff thanks for your time today.

Jeff Johnson: 

Thanks for having me.

Renay San Miguel:

You’re a former agent and all the people that help start Agency Matrix are all former agents, what was it about that line of work that was driving you crazy to make you want to start Agency Matrix?

Jeff Johnson:

Well having all been agents ourselves we understand the kind of challenges agents go through on a daily basis.  The challenges like managing their book of business, to managing their staff, managing their time and managing their cash flow.  Going back to some of the colleagues that we have in the industry, we wanted to bring back a solution like Agency Matrix, that we know we would have liked to have when we were agents. 

Renay San Miguel:

So there are several companies saying they can do the same thing that provide a range of technological solutions and software along these same lines, what would you tell them to say hey you should look at Agency Matrix first.

Jeff Johnson:

Well Agency Matrix first of all is a 100% web base management system.  Therefore there is no system specifications required in the agents office.  We let them know you don’t have to install anything, you don’t have to download anything, we host it all anywhere that you have internet access you have access to Agency Matrix even on your mobile devices, your iPhones or what not so, that being said the simplicity of the managing system is what really causes agents to gravitate towards Agency Matrix.  There are a lot of good systems out there, but the level of complexity that is involved in them, is what turns agencies away.  They are looking for something that meets their needs that is simple and easy to learn.

Renay San Miguel:

I won’t have to spend an entire week getting videos and being trained to use it.

Jeff Johnson:

No, literally hours, and you can be a master at utilizing Agency Matrix within a day or two.

Renay San Miguel:

Well let’s say, my company grows due to the use of Agency Matrix, adding more customers managing more money, more business.  Are you going to be able to keep up with that? Is Agency Matrix going to be able to keep up with me, is Agency Matrix going to be able to grow with my business?

Jeff Johnson:

Absolutely, not only the fact that Agency Matrix is 100% web based, its infinitely scalable. Meaning as we do add upgrades and add new features we can push them out instantly where all agents get to experience the benefits of them right away.

Renay San Miguel:

You know how is with web based businesses we are giving more, and more to the cloud, digital information, my personal information getting out there.  What is it that you offer in terms of guarantee for my protection?  Businesses customer information how do you say, it’s going to be safe with Agency Matrix?

Jeff Johnson:

Right, well that’s a very sensitive issue with independent agents.  It’s their book of business and we get that.  Therefore, from the end user to our server, we provide the highest level of encryption available in the industry today.  Therefore, the level of security our agents receive in protecting that information is what you would receive or even hire with some of the largest banking institutions in the world or even the military.

Renay San Miguel:

That’s Jeff Johnson Chief Operating Officer for Agency Matrix.  Thanks so much for your time and good luck with the company.  Thank you.

The entrepreneurial experience is not only about growing your business it’s about helping your customers grow their business.  Which is exactly what Agency Matrix does, it provides the tools, helping independent Agencies, build their business.

For spark360, I’m Renay San Miguel.