Self-serve savings

Equinox Financial Group Inc., which puts financial companies in touch with independent distributors, is trying to make the communication process easier by switching from client-server to online services.Toronto-based Equinox had been using a case management product designed for DOS and ported to Windows. In order for brokers to get information on potential business, they would have to call the distribution centres for regular updates.
By moving to an online system, all parties along the supply chain can gain access to the same information, says Tim Traill, Equinox’s director of e-business. “We’re living in this world of ever-shrinking margins,” he said. “There’s a huge cost benefit to our marketing centres … It’s moving down the self-serve route” instead of forcing brokers to call marketing centres for updates.