For years, there's been more talk than action when it comes to getting agents to do business with carriers in real time, but that's changing thanks to the Real Time/Download Campaign launched in late April, a number of industry players have observed–although organizers know there is a lot more work to be done to gain widespread implementation.

"Each segment of the independent agency system is stepping up to learn about the benefits of real time and download, and how new workflows can enhance customer-service capabilities," said Cal Durland, ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange facilitator and a campaign leader.

The campaign defines "real time" as "the ability to click on a button from a client file in an agency management system or comparative rater for immediate access to carrier information on that client. The transaction may be a quote, billing inquiry, claim inquiry/loss run, policy view, endorsement, or a request for information. This approach provides a single workflow for servicing or quoting."