Integrations often sound technical, complex, and intimidating—especially when your agency runs on a mix of different systems. But here’s the truth: they don’t have to be complicated. With the right approach, integrations can streamline operations, eliminate duplicate work, and deliver a smoother experience for your team and clients.

At Catalyit, we help independent insurance agencies leverage technology to gain a competitive advantage. At IIAT INSURCON, we addressed one of the most overlooked—but high-impact—topics in agency operations: maximizing the value of your existing integrations.

What Are Integrations?

In simple terms, integrations connect the tools your agency uses—so they can “talk” to each other. Instead of manually copying data from your CRM to your AMS—or worse, into a spreadsheet—integrations let that information flow automatically.

Think of them as the digital plumbing that keeps your tech stack running like one efficient system.

Why Integrations Matter

Every agency utilizes a unique combination of tools, including AMS, CRM, VoIP systems, eSignature platforms, quoting tools, and more. Without integration, these systems are siloed. Your team ends up re-entering data, which wastes time and invites errors.

Here’s what smart integration unlocks - 

• Efficiency – Say goodbye to duplicate data entry.

• Accuracy – Minimize manual errors.

• Productivity – Free your team from repetitive admin work.

• Client Experience – Speed up service and response times.

Easy Integrations to Start With

You don’t need to start with expensive or custom-built solutions. Many tools offer plug-and-play integrations or simple workflow automations. 

• Email & Calendar Sync – Platforms like Outlook or Gmail integrate with CRMs and task managers for better scheduling and follow-up.

• eSignature Tools – Services like DocuSign can be connected to your AMS, streamlining document handling.

• VoIP Phone Systems – Automatically log calls and update records in your CRM or AMS.

More Advanced (and Risky) Integrations

Some integrations can be tricky—and not always worth the effort unless there’s a strong ROI:

• Custom API Connections – These can link legacy systems but often require significant setup and maintenance.

• High-Maintenance Integrations – If a system update breaks the connection, your workflows stop cold.

• Over-Customization – It may seem like a good idea at first, but it can create a fragile, locked-in setup.

Start small. Focus on integrations that solve a specific pain point and scale up from there.