Frequently Asked Questions
Is TransactNOW still free and how can I get more information or get started?
Yes, TransactNOW™ is included in your annual support fees, so there is no additional cost to take advantage of the real-time functionality TransactNOW offers. For more information or to get started, call the TransactNOW hotline (800.444.6547) or visit www.transactnow.com.
Which AMS Agency Management Systems work with TransactNOW?
All AMS Agency Management Systems work with TransactNOW: AMS 360, AfW, Sagitta, Prime, MARS and InStar.
How many carriers are on board with TransactNOW?
There are more than 50 regional and national carriers that are TransactNOW partners, and more continue to join! For a current list go to - www.ams-support.com/transactnowlistprint.asp.
One of my Carriers isn’t on the TransactNOW Partner List – How can I get them added?
Carriers partner with AMS to offer TransactNOW real-time functionality to their agents. If one of your carriers has not yet signed on to TransactNOW, the most effective way to encourage them to explore partnership is to tell them how much TransactNOW has benefited your agency. Since TransactNOW leverages technology the carriers already have in place, it is very easy for them to implement, with no additional development work necessary on their part - AMS does it all! For more information, please refer your carriers to www.transactnow.com, or have them email IISG@amsworld.com for contact from the Interface and Integration Solutions Group.
Does TransactNOW support centralized network administration of carrier passwords?
Yes. Passwords are handled in different ways based on the AMS management system. For example, AMS 360 has centralized administration of carrier passwords incorporated into the core software. Sagitta/Sagitta Online, AfW/AfW Online and Prime agencies are successfully using TransactNOW-NV (Network Version), a version of TransactNOW built on the Microsoft® .NET Platform. TransactNOW-NV does not require or use the IIS or Active Directory structure.
What additional functionality has been added to TransactNOW?
New business submission processing is the latest feature to be added to TransactNOW, joining real-time endorsement processing and carrier passport. Add these to the existing service transactions (billing, claims and policy view inquiries) and you have real-time carrier interface at your fingertips!
TELL ME MORE ABOUT…
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a) Carrier Passport?
Carrier Passport is a feature that allows you to take advantage of the single sign-on capabilities of TransactNOW. With one keystroke, Carrier Passport launches the carrier’s Web site, logs you in, and automatically navigates you to the page you would be on had you initiated the transaction there. - There are two ways to take advantage of Carrier Passport – either directly from your desktop using Quick Links, or within a TransactNOW results screen. Both ways save you the time and effort involved in tracking all of your carrier personalization information!
- b) Real-time endorsements?
TransactNOW real-time endorsement option navigates you from your management system to the correct endorsement page on the carrier Web site, with all of the information the carrier has on file for that insured pre-filled. You process the endorsement right there, using screens you are familiar with already, saving as much as ten minutes per transaction.
- c) New business workflow?
- TransactNOW can interface new business to carriers through either data bridging or real-time response. Data bridging enables quote and application data entered on an AMS system to be bridged over to the carrier, thereby eliminating double entry as the agent completes the transaction on the carrier system. Carriers who support real-time response can fully process a submission and immediately return an answer, without the agent having to leave the management system. By leveraging investments carriers have already made in their Web site policy systems, including full automation of business rules and edits, practical new business workflow can be efficiently developed and deployed within TransactNOW.
What other enhancements are in the works?
User feedback is invaluable, and through the use of the suggestion box within TransactNOW, many enhancements are being worked on and scheduled for future release. For example, expect changes in the design of the “Quick Links” page for easier Carrier Passport access, increases in the number of different logins a user can have for one company and the ability to distinguish between them, streamlined launching of TransactNOW, and the ability to automatically create diary entries and/or log activities in your management system when TransactNOW transactions are processed.
How do I get TransactNOW software upgrades?
The ability to receive automated updates was one of the most requested enhancements from TransactNOW users. If you are on version 4.0.6.20 or higher, you can be prompted as new software versions are available, and will be able to run the update right away or choose to be prompted at a later time.
What do I have to do when one of my carriers goes live on TransactNOW?
It’s very easy; there is no additional software to install! Simply enter in your information for this carrier in the password management area of TransactNOW, and you can start processing real-time transactions with the new carrier right away.
Show me how TransactNOW helps me save time and money…
With the help of TransactNOW agents, AMS created a ROI worksheet that allows any agency to calculate its hard dollar savings. Actual results will vary by agency. For example, take an agency with 15 CSRs that averages a cost of $26 per hour, processes an average of 60 inquiries and 40 endorsements per month, per CSR. That agency will save $41,600 per year by rolling out TransactNOW to 10 of its CSRs the first quarter, adding the other five in the second quarter. Go to www.ams-services.com/interface/transactnowsavings.asp for instructions on how to use the worksheet, click on the worksheet and measure the impact for your agency.
How do I get started on TransactNOW?
Whether you are installing TransactNOW for the first time, or requesting download of a new version, simply visit www.transactnow.com and follow the instructions in the “TransactNOW Setup Checklist”.
How do I learn of new features and carriers when they become available?
In multiple ways - visit www.transactnow.com for the latest announcements and the most current listing of supported carriers and transactions. Read the “Latest News” section on the TransactNOW product itself. As a customer of AMS, you’ll also receive the new TransactNOW eNewsletter which is sent bi-monthly. Also, watch for emails and/or faxes from AMS and/or AMSUG and look for carrier communications, news articles, and press announcements.
For more information or to get started using TransactNOW:
- call the TransactNOW hotline - 800.444.6547
- visit www.transactnow.com