I read about the development of technology to control your computer using sounds. It made me smile as I immediately thought about the TV commercial for the Clapper. Clap on, clap off. Take a look at this video to see the latest incarnation of the Clapper. I’m not sure what the practical implications of this technology might be – but your computer could become an awesome light switch.
Tag Archives: technology
Point, Shoot, and Shop
A new iPhone application allows you to find detailed information on any product simply by taking a picture of it. With the SnapTell Explorer application, you can take a picture of a book—and within seconds the screen will display the right book with reviews, links to other Web sites (including a Wikipedia entry), and online prices from multiple retailers. Welcome to the future of shopping.
How does it work? According to SnapTell, “SnapTell has created core patent pending proprietary technology for image matching that works with databases of millions of images. This highly accurate and robust algorithm for image matching is called Accumulated Signed Gradient (ASG). Our technology works effectively on pictures taken with any camera phone in the world, including ones that have VGA cameras or relatively low resolution (320×240) cameras. Also, our robust matching engine can handle pictures taken in real life conditions that may have lighting artifacts, focus/motion blur, perspective distortion, and partial coverage. The technology works in a wide variety of real life scenarios including print advertisements, outdoor billboards, brand logos, product packaging, branded cans, bottles, and wine labels.”
Regardless of the underlying technology, there is no doubt that this adds many new and fascinating layers both to marketing and the in-store retail experience. How are stores going to compete when every customer can walk over to a manager and prove that they can get the exact same product for cheaper somewhere else? How are stores going to change what they stock and the types of brands they sell? Customers are going to be so empowered with information and reviews that it’s going to be very hard to carry items that no one likes. This app could become even more powerful when the iPhone’s GPS capabilities kick in. SnapTell will be able to show consumers varying prices for the exact same product within walking distance.
The SnapTell Explorer iPhone app might be one of the most powerful indications of how customers are really going to control the shopping experience going forward… and we’re just beginning to scratch the surface.
Technology in the New White House
The Obama campaign for President is a study in how to effectively use technology to communicate with people. Yet as the new staff moved into the White House offices in January, they found themselves in the technological Dark Ages.
As Obama officials try to bring the same social media sophistication they used in the campaign to governing, they have run smack into the constraints of federal bureaucracy, encountering a jumble of disconnected phone lines, old computer software, and security regulations forbidding outside e-mail accounts. That means no Facebook to communicate with supporters. No outside e-mail log-ins. No instant messaging. No BlackBerry for the President. For a staff that mastered relentless online social networking, it will be an adjustment.
One of the first changes was the launch of the new WhiteHouse.gov Web site which became active minutes after Obama took the oath of office. One of the issues is that due to the Presidential Records Act, all office work must be preserved. It will be interesting to watch how the new administration will enable more open communication options within the constraints of government regulations.
Industry Use of Technology—The Latest Numbers
The latest Future One Agency Universe Study was recently released by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers. This study is considered one of the most comprehensive sources of information about the independent agency distribution system. Since 2000 the study has been completed biannually.
The most recent study was conducted in the spring and summer of 2008 and included 1,874 respondents. Ninety percent of those responding were agency principals, presidents, or CEOs.
While the survey produced a number of very interesting findings, below are results that show how agencies are utilizing (or not utilizing) technology.
One of the top 10 findings is that agents are doing more with less. “Agency operations are becoming measurably more efficient. Apparently, agencies are able to do more work with fewer employees. Increased usage of technology likely contributes to more efficient processes.”
While I’m encouraged by this finding, the details of the study show that there continues to be room for improvement in a number of areas. Many agencies are not utilizing technology as an effective tool.
- 82% use an agency management system (compared to 87% in 2006, although this study included a greater proportion of small agents). 50% of small agents do not use an agency management system.
- Traditional advertising continues to be most used by agencies, with 24% using Yellow Pages, 15% using print ads, 11% using radio, TV, and billboard. Only 7% use their agency Web site as a marketing tool, and only 2% use any kind of electronic marketing.
- 37% agreed or strongly agreed that it is important for the agency to be accessible to their clients 24/7.
- 35% of agencies reported having a paperless office. 54% stated they were going paperless whenever possible.
- Agency customers increasingly use electronic means to communicate. E-mail usage has increased from 55% in 2006 to 70% in 2008. 21% of agencies report that clients are obtaining certificates of insurance through the Internet.
Thoughts about these statistics
- The industry needs to realize that new generations of prospects will not be looking in the Yellow Pages for insurance information. Agencies need to begin experimenting with and utilizing the Internet and other electronic marketing options to find and attract these new customers.
- I am probably most disheartened by the 63% of agencies that said it is not important to be available to clients outside of normal business hours. Clients obviously want to communicate with agencies electronically. It is a small step—and the technology is readily available—to allow clients to communicate with you off-hours.
Agencies are making changes and learning how to effectively use technology. This will increase efficiency and improve customer service. But the new reality is that change is constant. Every agency, regardless of size, needs to continue to adapt to changing customer wants and needs.
You Could Be a Technology Star
National Underwriter, in partnership with the ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum, invites entries for the second annual NU Agency Technology Achievement Award. Multi-line agencies are encouraged to enter their own IT programs for consideration. However, insurers, managing general agencies, and tech vendors are also welcome to nominate an agency for NU to contact about entering the award program—although a third-party nomination is not required for an agency to participate. Representatives from each of three award-winning agencies will receive roundtrip airfare and a three-night hotel stay to attend the ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum in Orlando, May 17-19.
Last year’s winner, Ed Higgins of Thousand Islands Agency in Clayton, N.Y., is a TAAR subscriber and HIGH-TECC attendee. The entry deadline is March 9, 2009.
