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Press release:

Ref: OGI0272
20th June 2011

 

Plain Sailing for Sharrock Insurance Service and Open GI

 

Sharrock Insurance Service sought help from Open GI to achieve a paperless trading environment when they moved office into a converted
windmill.

The Isle of Sheppey based broker, was delighted to move into a renovated windmill earlier this year but with restricted office space, looked to Open GI to see how they could achieve a paperless trading environment.  Freeing up space was not the only requirement, as this friendly high street broker also wanted to achieve greater efficiencies in staff productivity.

By using Open GI’s advanced file management solution called Open Attach in conjunction with a number of other offerings including Open Word and Open Print Manager, Sharrock Insurance Service has been able to handle all of their client and prospect files electronically. Using enhanced search and sort functionality, staff can easily locate all types of files and documents quickly and easily whilst interacting with a customer either on the telephone or face-to-face.  With confidence of secure electronic storage, staff have access to a more efficient audit trail whilst still meeting statutory requirements for the production of ‘original’ documents.

Family owned since 1999, Sharrock Insurance Service employs just 8 staff and prides itself on its vibrant outlook with the enthusiasm to embrace the latest technology.  By appointing Alice Thompson as a company Director at the age of 22, a fresh approach to insurance broking has been encouraged with the adoption of latest practices such as using Open GI’s SMS Text Messaging service.  Keen to ensure they provide a customer friendly and efficient service in Personal and Commercial Lines, Alice has instigated a project to trial the use of Open GI’s integrated Address Look-Up service to use alongside Open GI’s Vehicle Look-Up product to achieve greater accuracy and time savings.

Alan Doucy, Managing Director, Sharrock Insurance Service commented: “Operating as a tight ship, we need to run an efficient and professional service to our customers to offer choice and service. We have been in partnership with Open GI for many years and have been delighted with their support, service and solutions.  During the office move into the windmill, the support we received from Open GI was seamless to ensure we were up and running immediately.”

“Since installing both Open Attach and Open Print Manager, we have noticed a number of improvements in all aspects of our work.  Open Attach has benefited us in a number of ways, most notably as there is no longer a need for paper files.  Open Attach gives us the added security of being able to retrieve important documents in the event of a disaster, which is an important consideration, especially when the windmill was burned down just days after being renovated and had to be rebuilt! Also, many of our customers frequently request that we issue paperwork by email and by using Open Print Manager this process has become a lot more efficient and seamless.”

Simon Hughes, Sales and Marketing Director, Open GI, said; “Our office productivity solutions that are integrated with the Back-Office have been built in order to offer significant processing efficiencies and cost savings to our brokers. I’m pleased to see that we can offer efficiency saving solutions to help the small high street brokers, like Sharrock Insurance Service enjoy a considerable reduction in their overall costs.”

For More Information about Open GI:
Adele Clarkson
Marketing and PR Manager
Open GI
Tel: +44 (0)1905 754455
email: adele.clarkson@opengi.co.uk

 

 

Notes to Editors:

Open GI supplies market leading IT solutions to insurance brokers across the UK & Ireland. With 20,000 users in around 2,000 firms, the company has a 40% share of the UK broker market and is committed to technological innovation. Open GI technology enables personal and commercial lines brokers trading in standard and niche markets to streamline business activity and become more profitable. With a workforce of 350 people and a 30-year heritage, the company enjoys a strong financial performance. For the year ended 31st May 2010 Open GI reported revenues of £35.0 million and an operating profit of £21.1 million.