General
Questions:
Q:
What is an ASP?
A: An application service provider (ASP) delivers and manages applications
and computer services from remote data centers to multiple users
via the Internet or a private network. We monitor, maintain and
upgrade your application while you focus on your core business.
Q:
Is the application on a dedicated machine or is it on a shared machine?
A: Your Applications are in a shared environment, which increases
speed, reliability and redundancy.
Q:
How is the service priced?
A: For a flat monthly fee, we provide software, support, e-mail,
Internet, and security, all rolled into one simple plan. Our fees
are based on a monthly charge per user so you have predictable technology
costs that are easy to budget. Our pricing structure allows your
company to "pay as you grow" and avoid the large capital expenses
of setting up a system that you may outgrow before you know it.
Q:
Are there up-front costs when I sign-on?
A: Yes, there are minimal initial setup fees for our service based
on the number of users in your agency. If you are adding telecommunication
services, upgrading your existing Internet connection, or, if you
need data conversion, there may be fees associated with these services.
Q:
What type of savings can I expect by using an ASP?
A: You will likely save approximately 50% of the cost of a similar
in-house system over a 3-to-5-year period.
Q:
What software applications are available?
A: Ajasent hosts the agency's management system along with most
third-party software products used in your agency. These include
the standard rating products, MVR programs, popular premium finance
packages, etc. In addition, Ajasent hosts leading-edge collaborative
applications from Microsoft (Office 2000 and Outlook for e-mail).
Most any software product that you may need is able to be hosted
in our environment.
Q:
Who provides support for our software applications?
A: You still will go to your vendor for support. Ajasent stands
ready to assist you with these problems as well as offering our
24-hour support for issues revolving around connecting into the
data center. In some cases, Ajasent offers a direct connection for
vendors to be able to tap right into your system to provide even
better support than is typically available to them and to you.
Q:
How long does it take to get up and running on the system?
A: That depends on if you already have an Internet connection, what
management system you are currently using, what management system
you are moving to, the third party software you are currently using,
if you have data that needs to be converted, etc. However, the timeframe
could be as short as 48 hours from the time application is completed
and as long as 30 days. The average is a couple of weeks.
Q:
What's my largest risk?
A: The most prevalent risk is not being able to access your data
if your Internet connection is down. We suggest that you have a
dial-up Internet connection available in your office in the event
your main connection is lost. We have found that Internet reliability
is very good and this should be a minimal problem.
TOP
| HARDWARE
& INTERNET CONNECTIONS | AGENCY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
SECURITY | TRAINING
& SUPPORT
Hardware
and Internet Connections:
Q:
Who owns the data center and the equipment?
A: Currently, Ajasent is outsourcing to one of the top data centers
in the country - Protier (www.protier.com). We have exclusive contracts
with them which protect the privacy and security of your data. Due
to the sophistication of the data center, we were able to negotiate
guarantees on the amount of uptime we will have, something no other
insurance industry ASP offers.
Q:
What hardware is necessary at my office?
A: Because applications are stored and managed on our server-farm,
no expensive server equipment is needed on site. The applications
can be run on low end PCs and Internet devices (a "smart" terminal
that is a level below PCs in cost and performance).
Q:
In terms of Internet connectivity, what are the minimal requirements
for an agency (56k, ISDN, DSL)?
A: We recommend that all agents utilize a full-time connection to
the Internet. While a dial-up connection will be possible for remote
access, such as home, hotel, etc., for an agency office, ISDN, DSL
and cable modems are recommended. Check with your local providers
for availability.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS |
AGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
SECURITY
| TRAINING & SUPPORT | TOP
Agency
Management Systems:
Q:
Does my agency management system still look and feel the same with
Ajasent?
A: Yes, your system looks exactly the same.
Q:
What if I currently do not use an agency management system?
A: Then, by having multiple agency management systems to choose
from, we are your one-stop shopping experience. Before committing
to a contract, we can arrange a period for you to look at and test
them all. You will avoid much of the upfront costs normally associated
with buying software. And, if you don't have PCs, you will be able
to purchase or lease units from us that cost only $700, instead
of $1,500. Plus you eliminate the need to purchase a $10,000 file-server.
This results in a substantial savings on hardware.
Q:
Being on the cutting edge sometimes is not a good thing. The vendor
of our agency management system constantly releases new versions.
What if I don't want a particular version upgraded because I have
heard that there are problems with it?
A: We have an extensive testing and quality control process that
is run before an update is installed into the data center, so typically
problems should be minimal.
Q:
Why would I, as an independent agent on one of your supported agency
management systems, be compelled to switch over to Ajasent services?
A: Easy question! To rid yourself of your IT headaches; to keep
from having to do the next upgrade that you are facing in the near
future; to get rid of backup, software upgrade; to focus on insurance
and not have to worry about figuring out where technology is headed
(we do that for you); to save 50% over the next two to four years
on your IT costs; to add branch operations without the technology
hassle; to be able to work from anywhere in the world; to achieve
all the above and not have to switch systems to do it - and go through
the resulting learning curve.
Q:
I currently have all my agency data on our in-house server. How
will it get to Ajasent?
A: There are various methods to accomplish this. These include transferring
the data over the Internet, using backup tapes or copying the data
onto a laptop that we send you which you then send back to us. If
you are moving from one management system to another, there may
be a data conversion that will need to take place. If that is the
case, your vendor will first convert the data and then send it to
us.
Q:
Will I be able to customize form letters and merge data with my
desktop versions of Microsoft Office? Will I need to purchase additional
licenses for Office online and Office on my local network?
A: Merging of data will happen at the data center, not on your local
desktop. You will not have to purchase additional licenses for Office,
but you will pay a monthly fee for accessing Office over the Internet.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS | HARDWARE
& INTERNET CONNECTIONS
SECURITY
| TRAINING & SUPPORT | TOP
Security:
Q:
What is the liability or risk of being "hacked?"
A: While no system would ever put itself out as being foolproof,
Ajasent can ensure you that the data center where your data resides
has the highest level of security and firewall protection available.
Top of the line Cisco firewall protection is in place.
Q:
How is data protected from viruses that can come from other ASP
users on the same machine?
A: Ajasent has ensured that the data center has the tightest procedures
possible for virus protection. And, remember, no user is installing
any software or files on the data center. These are all tightly
controlled and only installed by trained employees. There is actually
less chance of your data getting infected with a virus while it
is in our data center than when it is in your own network; in your
office, there are many people able to install files into your network.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS | HARDWARE
& INTERNET CONNECTIONS
AGENCY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | TRAINING & SUPPORT
| TOP
Training
& Support:
Q:
This will be my first agency management system. Will on-site training
be provided?
A: Whatever training is normally available from your vendor will
be available to you.
Q:
What type of support will be provided and how will it be billed
(real time, call ticket, business hours only, per-call billing,
annual contract)?
A: Your vendor support will be the same as it always is. Support
from the data center is included in your monthly user fee.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS | HARDWARE
& INTERNET CONNECTIONS
AGENCY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | SECURITY | TOP
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