IMLA indicated that 85 per cent of brokers used an office PC, with 54 per cent using a laptop. However the study indicated that take-up of other technology solutions was less rapid, with only 8 per cent of advisers using a pocket computer or other handheld device. The study also showed that brokers lacked knowledge of certain technological enhancements, such as UNIPASS, but revealed that 55 per cent submitted over half of their applications online, up from the June 2006 findings of 46 per cent.
Peter Williams, executive director at IMLA, said: “Advisers are investing in the right equipment for the work they do.”
He added: “Technology is the way of the future and it’s vital that brokers keep ahead of the game in terms of using technology solutions.”
Paul Hunt head of marketing at Platform, said: “While the take-up of online and mobile technology seems slow, there are definite signs that the broker market is seeing the benefits of using these types of applications to conduct business. However, while we agree technology is the future for the market, demand for new applications must be carefully researched as there is no doubt that many brokers still wish to conduct business in more traditional ways.”
