Mr. Rumpke was one of five speakers addressing claims and IT professionals seeking more information on the use of wireless and mobile technology within the insurance industry. The seminar was held at the home office of The National Underwriter Co. in Erlanger, Ky.

Mr. Rumpke told his audience that Insurance IT people can easily become enamored with the latest wireless technology, but the infatuation may be short lived if business doesn't share it.

Mr. Rumpke said communication is key to establishing a successful business-IT relationship. He explained that technology departments must listen to the business people to determine how a solution will be used.

"We have to develop technology requirements from their business requirements," he asserted. The good news is, he added, "business partners are becoming more receptive to the technology."

During a question-and-answer session, Walter Harrison, who operates his own independent insurance agency in Dayton, Ohio, said hardware and software advances are wonderful, but he would like to see the industry work together on establishing standards.

"There's a lack of unification of languages among insurers," he said. "It's getting hard [for independent agents] if they represent more than one company," Mr. Harrison said.

Mr. Rumpke responded this was one reason Nationwide supports ACORD, but Harrison countered that even ACORD forms don't flow well on laptops.

Another insurer pointed out that some companies are concerned with surrendering a competitive advantage if they go to complete uniformity of standards.

Besides Mr. Rumke, other speakers at the session included Mark Lund, business development manager for Panasonic; Phil Schreiner, editor of Claims magazine; Rob Mendel, director of sales for Sierra Wireless; Joe Marcum, field service manager for Farm Bureau Insurance of Indiana; and Bruce Hillman, editorial director of risk and insurance markets for The National Underwriter Co.

Mr. Heyl is an associate editor with TechDecisions, published by The National Underwriter Company