Enhancement of the agency management and information system to include the electronic signature function. This is generated using an external signature device and it is transferred to the agency management and information system with the help of external software. The signed documents are stored as PDF documents in a database.
Supplement
The software needed for the electronic signature is connected to the agency management and information system with the help of multiple interfaces implemented in COM technology and standardized XML. The COM component is programmed in C++. Xerces is used as the parser for the XML components. The signed documents and the necessary metadata (e.g. positioning the signature on the document, number of signatures performed) is saved by an Adaptive Server Anywhere database from Sybase.
Subject description
The introduction of a system for electronically signing applications for insurance contracts as an integrated component of the agency management and information system would represent a significant improvement to customer support and therefore customer relations. This is especially apparent if the electronic signature, combined with sending the application electronically, results in a shorter waiting period until the insurance contract takes effect, because the application is no longer sent by mail. In other words, the insured party could, possibly, claim insurance benefits sooner than previously. Additionally, the contract completion process becomes significantly tighter and more cost-efficient because the effort of entering data manually is reduced further. The electronic signature is not inserted in the document to be signed until after the document is checked and released by the user.