Applied Systems Announces 2014 Pinnacle Award Winners

UNIVERSITY PARK, ILL., Sept. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Systems today announced the presentation of its annual Pinnacle Awards to an elite group at Applied Net 2014, the largest independent agency and brokerage technology conference, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando. As the company's highest customer honor, the Pinnacle Award recognizes partnership with Applied Systems and innovative usage of the company's technology in making significant contributions to the recipient's business and the insurance industry.

The 2014 Pinnacle Award winners are Assurance Agency Ltd., Beneficial Insurance Services, Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), The Hartford (NYSE: HIG), and Megson FitzPatrick. Award recipients were selected based on their embodiment of the spirit of the Pinnacle Award, including innovation in product deployment, the power of partnership, and the ability to deliver tangible business results to their organizations and the industry.
"As digital technology continues to create new possibilities throughout the insurance industry, Applied Pinnacle Award winners represent the leading edge of innovative technology adoption and outstanding achievement in developing new business and customer service models that drive strong business results," said Reid French, chief executive officer, Applied Systems. "We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of these wonderful organizations and look forward to continued partnership with them as they continue to move our industry forward."

Pinnacle Award Winner Profiles

Assurance is an IIABA Best Practices Agency, "Top 50" broker, repeated national "Best Place to Work" winner and Fortune magazine "Great Place to Work." Assurance is minimizing risk and maximizing health by providing property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, financial services, and surety solutions to more than 6,000 clients nationwide across a multitude of industries. Using Applied Epic and Applied CSR24, Assurance has experienced a double-digit organic growth rate annually for the past 10 years. Assurance leverages Applied technology to attract the best and brightest talent, providing employees opportunities to work on state-of-the-art systems and enabling remote access for teleworking.

Beneficial Insurance Services (BIS), a full-service independent agency for commercial, personal and benefits products in Pennsylvania, has more than 100 years of experience in the insurance industry.  Applied Epic has enabled BIS to gain greater visibility into its book of business to enhance client service and increase revenue. By analyzing key performance indicators within Applied Epic, BIS has developed more engaging marketing strategies to create stronger client relationships and higher retention across their client base.

Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) is currently the sixth largest independent insurance intermediary organization in the U.S. and seventh in the world.  As an Applied customer for 20 years, Brown & Brown is an extensive user of Applied agency management systems, with 2,500 users in active production across the United States. Today, Brown & Brown represents the single largest user of Applied TAM in the world. Applied has supported Brown & Brown for many years with agency management system consolidation as the company executes its unique growth model that combines niche program development with strategic M &A.  By providing a broad spectrum of coverage in unique business areas, Brown & Brown leads by example with innovative products and services to satisfy all clients.

The Hartford (NYSE:HIG) is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds with more than 200 years of expertise in the insurance industry. The company is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. Applied IVANS Insurance Solutions has enabled The Hartford to significantly enhance its commercial real-time quoting and issuance capabilities for agents and its clients.

Megson FitzPatrick, a leading commercial and personal lines broker in British Columbia, Canada, has rapidly expanded its business to more than 100 professionals in four locations. Applied EpicOnline is enabling Megson FitzPatrick to redesign its business around its customers to build stronger client relationships in today's digitally connected marketplace. Applied Rating Services, including Applied WebRater, also play a key role in the brokerage's mission to grow through better customer service by enabling its prospects to obtain a quote in minutes and receive a policy the same day.

Applied Net 2014 includes approximately 2,700 agents, brokers, carrier executives and other insurance professionals convened to discuss technology innovations, strategies, and industry best practices. As the flagship conference for users of Applied software, Applied Net 2014 includes more than 200 education sessions and networking to ensure users gain the greatest value from their Applied Systems investment, making agency and brokerage businesses more valuable and productive. Click here for all the conference developments. Join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #AppliedNet.                                                                         
Applied Systems
Applied Systems is a leading provider of software that powers the business of insurance. Applied is recognized as a pioneer in agency and brokerage management systems and data exchange between agencies, brokers, carriers and their clients. Automating the insurance lifecycle for more than 140,000 insurance professionals, 12,000 agencies and brokerages, and 350 carriers worldwide, Applied enables millions of people around the world to safeguard and protect what matters most.