Merchants Insurance Group (Buffalo, N.Y.; $154 million direct written premium) will deploy Houston-based Connective Technologies Inc.'s (CTI) TEAM-UP Download to provide its independent insurance agent network with platform-independent downloading capabilities. TEAM-UP Download replaces traditional mailbox methodology. Using the Internet to transmit data and storing it on a local server with TEAM-UP Download allows for the elimination of mailbox, telephone, decompression and byte fees.

According to CTI, the product does not require changes in the carrier AL3 conversion process, which is used to convert policy data to ACORD AL3 standard data. Additional services and features include real-time policy-level archive retrieval and additional levels of security and encryption that can be integrated into a carrier's existing site authentication process.

"CTI's TEAM-UP solution represents a refreshing alternative to our past download provider, IVANS [Old Greenwich, Conn.], for agency-company interface," relates Dr. Clark M. Sykes, vice president, IT, Merchants Insurance Group. "Not only does TEAM-UP provide a cost-effective solution to download, but also richer functionality, which translates into better service to our agents."