The reality of technology is very simple, according to Jamie Bisker, an insurance industry research author with the TowerGroup. You use it where it makes sense. When it comes to wireless technology, it hasnt always made sense for the insurance industry. Thats why Biskers recent report, Wireless Realities in Insurance, shows the industry lagging behind banks and brokerages in wireless IT spendingboth at the current level and projected over the next four years.

I think the industry is just being prudent, Bisker said. Insurance has a reputation for being slow, but most claims departments went out and got the equipment and now the policy side has to catch up.

Wireless technology has worked for claims by keeping agents and adjusters connected to the home office when theyre in the field making their reports. But selling policies, while often done in remote locations, is not a transaction that can always be completed at the initial meeting. Better technology will be needed to make those sales easier to accomplish. PDAs and Pocket PCs are great for setting up appointments, but they dont do the job when it comes to working with large amounts of text and data, something insurance is famous for.