Members of the Insurance Brokers Network of Australia (IBNA) have greeted the cluster group’s new technology joint venture with “resounding approval”, according to director Peter Roberts.

IBNA has entered a joint venture with technology company InsuranceConnect to obtain what it hopes will be improved functionality and workflow efficiencies for its members.

Last week Ebix Australia MD Leon d’Apice questioned why IBNA “would invest in a start-up technology platform” and predicted a large number of IBNA member brokers would continue to use his company’s Sunrise Exchange platform and WinBEAT software.

But Mr Roberts told insuranceNEWS.com.au only “one or two” members have said they are unsure about the deal at this point, and most have been very supportive.

“It shouldn’t be forgotten that we first discussed this at our meeting in Capetown during the [Austbrokers & IBNA Member Services] convention in April, so it’s hardly a surprise to anyone.”

Mr Roberts says members are lining up to trial the new BrokerCentral system. “We’ve been inundated with requests.”

Rollout of the new system to IBNA members will begin “as soon as we can”, with the first broker to be connected before the end of the year.