For years now, the insurance industry has talked about how single-entry, multiple-company interface (SEMCI) will be the solution to inefficient agency workflows. Weve contemplated just how dramatically it will change workflows and how it will save effort and preserve profits.

But after years of hope and hype, many who saw the future of SEMCI years ago are now asking, Where is it? Speaking from the perspective of a carrier whos been at the forefront of automation development, I can tell you its been more of an evolution than an overnight sensation, but SEMCI technology is here.

The first notable SEMCI achievement for Travelers agents happened almost three years ago, with a successful real-time, round-trip quote-to-issue session between an Applied 6.0 agency management system and Travelers small commercial rate, quote, and issuance system. Travelers also performed a similar transaction with an AMS agency management system.