To simplify communication and improve productivity in insurance, Vertafore, a provider of insurance distribution channel solutions has introduced the WorkSmart Engage module, a cloud-based collaboration tool.

 According to a press release, it helps independent insurance agencies service complex insurance transactions requiring multi-party collaboration. It offers communication and information sharing between agency teams, their clients and their markets. WorkSmart Engage will be available in late 2011.

“WorkSmart Engage allows independent agencies to break down communication silos and replace the point-to-point methods they have traditionally used to manage complex commercial business with an innovative, cloud-based platform that enables real-time communication,” said Sharath Dorbala, senior vice president of product management at Vertafore. “As is evident through the breadth of technology solutions we offer, Vertafore is committed to providing the tools needed to connect the entire insurance distribution channel. WorkSmart Engage is just the latest innovation toward this goal.”

It offers secure workspaces to share and manage policy and client documents in real-time. It offers efficient collaboration, increased team productivity and improved client satisfaction.

The WorkSmart Engage module enables independent insurance agencies to quickly benefit from effortless collaboration and streamlined integration with their document and agency management systems. The module accelerates multi-party projects such as claims, loss prevention, alternative risk transfer transactions as well as new business and renewal negotiations. It enables users to invite key internal and external team members to collaborate in secure workspaces, significantly increasing productivity for all parties.

In other company news, Vertafore has announced that its subsidiary Sircon will acquire insurance and securities software provider Kaplan Compliance Solutions (KCS).

Indianapolis, Indiana-based KCS – an operating unit of Kaplan University’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (KU PACE) – offers services for producer contracting, securities registration, insurance licensing and appointing, education tracking, renewal and data management.