Building a Strong AMS360 Foundation: Essential Elements for Success
There is a proverb that says, “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” This simple truth reminds us that every strong structure begins with a firm foundation. The same can be said for your AMS360 system. A well-built foundation ensures stability, supports growth, and helps your team weather any challenges that come your way.
In AMS360, that foundation starts with system setup and workflows. These two elements shape everything from your team’s efficiency to the accuracy of your data and reports. When setup isn’t aligned or workflows aren’t clearly defined, the result is often wasted time, inconsistent processes, and unreliable information. As the saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out.”
By focusing on a few essential elements, you can build a stronger AMS360 foundation that saves time, improves efficiency, and empowers your agency to make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Essential Elements of a Strong AMS360 Foundation
So, what are the “must-haves” for estabilishing a firm foundation in AMS360?
- Proper Agency Setup – Review your Agency Overview, with a key focus on Company Settings, Business Unit Setup, and Accounting Options.
- Security Group Creation and Setup – Ensure the right access controls are in place to protect sensitive information and maintain operational integrity.
- Employee Setup and Commission Template Creation – Build consistency and accuracy into your compensation and reporting structure from the start.
- Company Setup – Establish commission defaults and other settings that streamline processing and support accurate reporting. (Defaults are recommended.)
- Foundational Processes and Procedures for End Users – Define and document agency-wide workflows that support time management, efficiency, and accuracy.
The Importance of Processes and Procedures
Whether you are a small agency just getting started or an agency that’s expanding through growth and acquisitions, foundational processes and procedures are essential. Not only are they a must for clean data but also help protect your agency from E&O exposures.
Building these processes should begin with your leadership team (principals, owners, managers, and department heads) determining what data is most important for your agency to track and evaluate.
Key Areas to Consider:
Data Management
Ask yourself:
- What data do we want to evaluate or track?
- Example: If you want to track monthly estimated revenue on new business, consider setting default commission percentages at the Company level and using the Estimated Revenue column in My Agency Reports (MAR). Since commissions are often paid 45–60 days after the effective date, entering default estimates allows for immediate revenue projections.
- What fields need to be mandatory to obtain such information?
- Should setting up downloads for policy data and commissions entry be considered and implemented to save time?
- Will my agency be processing accounting in AMS360 or in a separate platform?
- What are the most efficient procedures that need to be mandated to obtain our end goals?
Errors & Omissions (E&O) Exposure
- What does the law require we document in the states we do business? (Recommendation: Implement procedures that meet the most stringent laws for the states you operate in.)
- What naming conventions and grouping tools can be implemented to find documentation easier, whether using AMS360 Activities or ImageRight?
- What documentation should be made mandatory as an attachment in AMS360 or ImageRight? (e.g., policy documents, loss runs, building information, etc.)
A Foundation in AMS360 that Supports Flexibility and Growth
All agencies can benefit from a strong foundation of processes and procedures. Even large organizations involved in mergers and acquisitions should prioritize having a consistent framework that unites all offices. A solid foundation does not limit creativity or flexibility. In fact, it enables them while ensuring accurate data, reducing E&O exposure, and ultimately leading to higher profitability.
Going back to the original proverb, a well-built foundation allows a structure to flex without breaking, especially here in my home state of California where buildings are designed to withstand earthquakes. The same is true for your agency’s AMS360 setup. With the right foundation in place, your team can adapt and innovate while maintaining the stability and integrity your business depends on.
Ready to Strengthen Your AMS360 Foundation?
Building and maintaining a strong AMS360 foundation takes time and thoughtful planning, but you do not have to do it alone. At Kite Technology, our AMS360 Consulting team partners with agencies to assess their current setup, implement best practices, and optimize their system in order to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reporting.
Whether you are setting up AMS360 for the first time or optimizing your existing system, we can help you build the solid foundation your agency needs to operate with confidence and achieve lasting success.
Contact us today to learn more about our AMS360 consulting services and how we can support your agency’s growth.
Shelly Werfelmann
Agency Consultant - Vertafore AMS360
Kite Technology Group






