What Is It
A front end is the user interface, typically web or mobile-based, that allows users to interact with your policy software system. In the context of insurance, front ends are essential for various purposes, such as internal sales flows, policy management, underwriting workbenches, direct-to-consumer storefronts, policyholder self-service portals, and broker portals. It is considered best practice to connect these user experiences to the back end through a unified API layer (see also workflow orchestration).
Build or Buy
When it comes to front ends, you have two options: building your own or purchasing a pre-built solution. Let's explore both approaches:
Build
Building your own front end involves developing a custom user interface tailored to your specific needs. This approach provides maximum flexibility and control over the design and functionality of the front end. However, it requires significant development resources and expertise. You'll need to have a skilled team that can handle front-end development, user experience (UX) design, and integration with your back-end systems via APIs.
Buy
If building a front end from scratch seems daunting or you prefer to focus on your core business functions, you can opt to buy a pre-built front-end solution. Several companies specialize in creating front ends for policy software. Here are a few options:
- Unqork and Mendix: These companies offer services to create custom front ends that integrate with any back-end system equipped with modern APIs. They can build front ends according to your specifications and requirements.
- Distribution-focused firms: Companies like Bold Penguin and Talage provide custom storefront options for insurance distribution. They can create user-friendly front ends for your policy software solutions, enabling seamless interactions with agents, brokers, and customers.
It's worth noting that for independent agents and brokers, a dedicated front end may not always be necessary. Platforms like Appulate offer the ability to connect to existing communities of producers solely through APIs, eliminating the need for a separate front end.
Buying Policy Software
When purchasing policy software, the availability and nature of front-end options can vary among vendors. Here are some common approaches:
Just the APIs
Some policy software vendors offer only the APIs, leaving the design and development of the user experience entirely up to you. They may provide guidance and support but allow you to create your own direct-to-consumer (D2C) experience or other user interfaces based on your preferences. It's hard to find examples in this category because they usually end up building front ends for those who need or want them! But Socotra and Boost have fit this category at various points in their history.
Configurable Front End
Certain vendors provide a pre-built front end along with their APIs, allowing you to configure and customize it to meet your specific requirements. This approach combines the benefits of a pre-built solution with the flexibility to tailor the front end to your needs. INSTANDA is one vendor that falls into this category.
Open-Source Front End
InsureMO takes a unique approach by offering APIs and providing what's essentially an open-source front end built on top of them. You have the option to use the pre-built user experiences as they are or modify them according to your preferences and branding. Technically they call it innersource, not open source—following companies like IBM, PayPay, Bloomberg, and Walmart—because while you're free to use it as a customer, it's not openly available to the public via an open-source license.
By considering your specific needs and evaluating available options, you can choose the most suitable approach for obtaining a front end that enhances your policy software solution. Whether you decide to build or buy, ensuring a seamless integration with your back end through well-defined APIs is crucial for a cohesive user experience.