In a recent blog, we sat down with the head of our contractor network, Quadrassist, Mike Dupelycz, to discuss the birth of the platform, the uniqueness of the network, meanwhile delving into the specifics of who these contractors are exactly.
We’re now moving on to talk about the future of the platform, including the exciting new technologies that are soon to employed. Before you get stuck into part two, be sure to read the first instalment here.
READ PART 1
So, you’ve mentioned the contractors you want on board soon, but in a more general sense of the future of the platform and your plans for progression, are there any recent market issues and challenges that you will need to face and address to progress the network?
Mike: Technology is a weird one, there are new things popping up on the market all the time, and new ideas. We’ve looked at quite a few different innovations over the last few years. We know some things out there would be excellent, such as video streaming and certain apps and web-based systems. In fact, we recently bought into Sightcall Video Technology. This system allows customers to live stream the damage in their house and then as a loss adjuster, you can point them in the direction of anything that needs closer inspection. The live streams can help them work through what they need or don’t need to do, and if there are any changes required, we can see first-hand anything that is a problem and agree the variations immediately. There are also various systems that will help with scheduling and pricing jobs too, as they allow you to share and send the information to all the relevant parties easily and in real time. All these sorts of technologies are on the horizon and it’s just about committing and research for the tools that we need.
Wow! It’s crazy how automated systems are these days.
Mike: Yes! Certainly. One that springs to mind is those apps that allow you to remotely measure the size of a room. It’s a bit like a laser device and it will map the room for you. This will then link to the scheduling tool and build a repair estimate for you. Something like this allows you to be more efficient in your processes. These tools, and more, are out there, it seems like there’s a new tool every day. It’s keeping up with the developments that is the problem.
It’s also important that you link all this information to your database, so that you can build MI that is useful for your clients. There seems to be an insatiable desire for it these days, and part of the challenges for us is the integration with our platform, Aquarium.
It’s exciting to hear about the way in which you see the network going! Anything else we should be aware of that’s coming on the horizon?
Mike: Well, we’re developing an app, and this is something that we need to develop further. We’ve also got a portal which helps us to gather contractors into the business. Here, the contractors can integrate with the adjusters and the file more easily. It’s basic, but it’s got potential to be a lot more, and we want to create an interface that can be used by all parties. There’s certainly lots we can do!
It’s really interesting to hear about the platform’s journey, but now we want to hear about your journey into Quadra and the insurance industry in general.
Mike: My journey?! Well that was certainly a long time ago now. I’m a chartered surveyor and originally, I thought I’d go to the middle east and make my millions there! At the time, the middle east was really booming, in particular in Dubai. However, other commitments kept me here. I was working in a surveying company, but I wasn’t happy with what I was doing, so I wanted to move on. I saw an advert in a newspaper looking for chartered surveyors who wanted to work in an insurance environment, and this pricked my interest. It was a different arena to where I was working so I was certainly intrigued. I thought I may as well give it a go, and that was 35 years ago…
Loss adjusting is a booming profession and going through a lot of stages. There are a lot of opportunities that, if you are prepared to knuckle down, work hard and gain the qualifications, such as CILA, it really opens up a lot of opportunities. It’s quite an interesting environment to work in – every day you’re looking at something different. One day I’ll look at a building that burnt down, another where the roof has burnt down. I think this variety is what has kept me in the industry!
Excellent, it sounds like there’s never a boring day! Final question – could you sum up your working life at Quadra in three words?
Mike: It’s very interesting… OK not quite three words but nearly! I get involved in so many different things, not just the contractor network, so my life can be unpredictable at times!
If you’re interested in joining our contractor network, you can get in touch with either Mike or Supply Chain Manager, James Doherty.
CONTACT MIKE
You can read more of our feature Q&As with Customer Care Team Leader, Jack Blackett, and Loss Adjuster, James Fairbairn on our blog.
