Insurance Agency Software
Position:
- Lead Software Architect
Owner:
- Bob Eustace
Worked With:
- Donna Hruska (Mother)
Location:
- Monee, IL
Years:
- 1981 – 1995
Product:
- The Agency Manager
Computer Boy
I was the original author and architect of The Agency Manager, the leading insurance agency automation software product in the world. While these efforts were a long, long time ago now, the story continues to this day. In fact, Applied Systems was sold in November 2013 for 1.8 billion dollars. Yes, 1.8 billion dollars. And no, I didn’t get any of that 1.8 billion. The reasons are long, but suffice it to say we started in a garage with just a couple of us, and when I left in 1995 Applied employed more than 500 people in the economically distressed far southern suburbs of Chicago.
We were a dot-com company before there were dot coms. We pioneered the micro computer in the insurance agency automation business. We wrote a full vertical market software package in the “C” programming language; making it the fastest and most productivity enhancing software available in its day.
I must say I was quite good at what I did back then, and I worked my ass off to help build this company to an industry dominant position. It was a wild and profitable ride, and I very proud that I managed to handled many stressful situations as well as I did.
What I Learned
I learned the value of an aggressive approach to sales. Nothing happens without the sale. Period. Bob was always oriented to the sales force, and that’s why Applied grew so quickly and became so valuable. (Of course, we had to create the great product they could sell… but hey, sell, sell, sell!)
I also clearly learned what I didn’t want to be… a dishonest and ruthless business person. Bob’s brother Tom was just that. He became impossible to work for so I moved on. I got squeezed by his ruthlessness, and chose the high route taking an exit and moving on with my life in 1995. Later in my career I had the chance to “live up to the deal” numerous times, and always did… as I remembered the pain and humiliation of being squeezed by people more financially powerful than me.
Recent Developments
Its quite humbling to see how this business has advanced over the years. Recently it appears Google invested heavily in the business. So many people I hired, knew, and worked with have now worked for Applied for over 25 years. Very proud to have taken a lead part in creating this thriving business.