Applied Systems Acquires Cytora: Supercharging the Digital Roundtrip of Insurance with AI

Remember in "The Avengers" movie when all the superheroes finally come together, and you just know something EPIC (see what I did there) is about to happen? That's exactly how I felt when we finalized our acquisition of Cytora – two powerhouses joining forces, each bringing unique strengths to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

This is a significant milestone for us as it deepens our commitment to simplifying and enhancing the insurance journey for carriers, agencies, MGAs, and brokers alike. Below, I want to unpack the "why" of this acquisition and how Cytora fits into our bold vision to infuse AI into every step of the Digital Roundtrip of Insurance and how Applied is best positioned to be the go-to solution for AI in insurance.

When Two Visionaries Become One

For those who might not be familiar with our two companies, let me give you the quick rundown. Applied Systems has been the trusted technology partner for insurance professionals for decades. We've been on a mission to connect the entire insurance distribution channel, from agencies and brokers to insurers and insureds, creating a more efficient, more connected insurance experience for everyone.

Cytora has been the wunderkind of risk digitization. Their AI-powered platform transforms the way insurers and agencies handle risk data – taking messy, unstructured information and turning it into structured, actionable insights that drive better underwriting decisions.

At Applied, we’re committed to making bold investments in AI – and doing so with purpose. This acquisition reflects our determination to lead the insurance industry into the AI and intelligence era, with tools and systems designed to empower each player in the insurance lifecycle.

We’ve long prided ourselves on creating software solutions embedded in the very fabric of our customers’ workflows – from leading agency management systems like Epic and EZLynx to carrier connectivity through Ivans. Now, with Cytora joining Team Applied, we’re taking this mission to a whole new level. Both companies have been laser-focused on solving the insurance industry's greatest pain points through technology. As Richard Hartley, CEO of Cytora, puts it:

"At Cytora, we've always believed that AI would fundamentally transform insurance workflows. Joining forces with Applied Systems gives us the scale and reach to accelerate that transformation across the entire industry."

I couldn't agree more. The union of our businesses isn't just good on paper; it's transformative in practice.

Accelerating the Digital Roundtrip

The AI-enabled risk digitization platform in Cytora will integrate seamlessly with our existing solutions, creating an end-to-end digital experience that eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and dramatically speeds up the entire insurance process from submissions to renewals.

As I told our team when we announced this acquisition internally, we aren’t just adding another product to our portfolio. We are fundamentally enhancing every solution we offer by infusing it with Cytora's incredible AI capabilities.

Key Benefits for Agencies and Carriers

I know what you're thinking: "That's great for Applied Systems and Cytora, Taylor, but what does it mean for me?" Fair question! The partnership between Applied and Cytora is here to help, creating smarter, faster processes that benefit both agencies and carriers.

For agencies, streamlined workflows will transform submissions, renewals, endorsements, claims servicing, you name it, while AI turns messy data into actionable insights. This means less time spent on manual tasks and more time growing your business.

Carriers gain frictionless, headache-free submission onboarding with Cytora’s tools, enabling faster quoting and better risk selection. Shortened timelines will help improve customer satisfaction, profitability, and premium growth.

And we’re just scratching the surface with how it will impact agencies and carriers alike. The insurance industry faces mounting challenges – rising claims costs, administrative inefficiencies, and increasing customer expectations. This acquisition directly addresses these pain points by bringing automation and intelligence to the areas that need it most.

Transforming an Industry, One Workflow at a Time

Transformative change doesn't happen overnight, but when the right pieces come together, the momentum becomes unstoppable.

The insurance industry has been talking about digital transformation for years, but progress has been uneven. Some processes have been digitized while others remain stubbornly manual. The result? A disjointed experience full of bottlenecks and friction points.

With Cytora joining the Applied Systems family, we're tackling one of the most persistent challenges in the insurance lifecycle – the digitization of risk information. This isn't just about making existing processes faster; it's about reimagining how insurance workflows function from the ground up.

Imagine a world where:

• Submission data is instantly extracted, structured, and enriched with additional insights
• Underwriters can focus on analyzing risks rather than inputting data
• Agents and brokers receive quotes in minutes rather than days or weeks
• Renewals happen seamlessly with up-to-date risk information automatically incorporated

That world isn't some distant future; it's what we're building right now. And with Cytora's technology integrated into our solutions, we're accelerating that future for all stakeholders in the insurance ecosystem.

Our Shared Vision for the Future

When I talk with Richard about our shared vision, the excitement is palpable. We both see a reality where insurance is effortless, data-driven, and proactive rather than reactive.

Applied Systems has always grown both organically and through strategic acquisitions. Each company we bring into the fold adds something unique to our capabilities and helps us better serve our customers. Cytora represents a significant step in our innovation journey, particularly in advancing our AI capabilities.

Our combined vision includes:

• Global expansion of our AI-driven solutions to serve insurance professionals worldwide
• Deeper integration across the insurance lifecycle, eliminating silos and friction points
• Continuous innovation in how risk data is captured, analyzed, and utilized
• Empowering all insurance stakeholders with insights that drive better decisions

The future of insurance is both digital and intelligent. And with Cytora now part of Applied Systems, we're leading the charge in bringing that intelligence to every corner of the industry.

What Happens Next?

I hope you're as excited about this acquisition as I am (and honestly, you should be!), but you're probably wondering what happens next.

In the immediate term, we're focused on integration – bringing Cytora's technology into our product ecosystem and ensuring a seamless experience for all our customers. But this isn't just about technology integration; it's about cultural integration as well. The brilliant minds at Cytora are now part of the Applied Systems team, bringing their expertise and innovative thinking to everything we do.

For our current customers, you'll start seeing the benefits of this acquisition in the coming months as we enhance our existing solutions with Cytora's capabilities. For those who aren't yet part of the Applied Systems family, there's never been a better time to join us on this journey.

The Digital Roundtrip of Insurance isn't just a catchy phrase – it's our north star, guiding everything we do. Now that Cytora is part of our team, we're better positioned than ever to make that vision a reality.

Leading the Charge for AI in Insurance

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I invite you to join us. The insurance industry is at an inflection point, and those who embrace AI innovation will thrive in the years ahead.

Here's how you can stay connected with us:

• Contact Ivans to see how Ivans connectivity technology and our family of brands can revolutionize your insurance operations.
• Manage your Ivans subscriptions for regular updates on industry trends and innovations.