Silanis Technology (http://www.silanis.com/index.html), a provider of electronic signature process management solutions to the insurance industry, says the iPad will remove the final hurdle for achieving mass adoption of electronic signatures in the agent channel — a move that will significantly reduce application cycle times, not-in-good-order (NIGO) applications, and processing costs.

“While some of our insurance customers are seeing solid e-signature adoption rates in their agent channel, it lags the 90% adoption that the direct-to-consumer channel is seeing,” says Silanis CEO Tommy Petrogiannis. “The iPad promises to significantly drive acceptance upward.”

The high cost of proprietary tablet PCs and limited internet connectivity have made it more difficult for agents to drop their pens in favor of a paperless, electronic process when closing business with customers in their homes or in a public space, he adds. However, Apple’s new iPad changes the playing field.

Silanis has worked closely with insurance carriers over the years to understand their challenges and requirements, both in the direct and agent channels,” said Petrogiannis. “The iPad delivers the price, mobile Web connectivity, and ease-of-use agents are looking for. And as the year goes