AfW Online / MULTICO Integration

Integration Direction

The rating certification supports a two-way integration between AfW Online and MULTICO for Windows. The user can export policy data from AfW Online to MULTICO for Windows and/or export rating data from MULTICO for Windows to AfW Online.

Required Personalization 

Every personal computer doing rating integration with MULTICO must have a “MULTRATE” directory off the root of its “C:\” drive. MULTICO for Windows will automatically create the C:\MULTRATE folder (if it does not exist) when the user chooses to export a quote to AfW. When exporting a quote out of MULTICO, a file named “AFW001.AL3” will be created, transferred to “C:\MULTRATE”. When exporting a policy out of AfW, a file named “AMS.AL3” will be created, transferred to “C:\MULTRATE”. The “C:\MULTRATE” directory will be created when personalizing the Link Configuration screen if it does not already exist. 

Link Configuration – This screen needs to be personalized in AfW for MULTICO.
Vendor Type------------------: Other
Vendor-------------------------: MULTICO
Customer Type--------------: Personal
File Type----------------------: AL3
Export Policy Changes As: Full Policy Image
Integration Directory--------: C:\MULTRATE
Integration Program---------:

A desktop item needs to be created (right click on desktop, select New, select Shortcut) on every personal computer doing integration that will launch MULTICO for Windows and automatically import (after a rating program is selected) the policy data previously exported from AfW. Designate the drive—which can be local (as illustrated below) or network—where rating (MULT4WIN\IMPORT.EXE) resides. For example, if rating resides on your K drive, then the Target Line should be designated with “K:\MULT4WIN\IMPORT.EXE C:\MULTRATE\AMS.AL3”. The drive for “MULTRATE\AMS.AL3” will always be “C”. Please note a space exists between “C:\MULT4WIN\IMPORT.EXE” and “C:\MULTRATE\AMS.AL3”.  

MULTICO Bridge Activation 

To activate the AMS for Windows (AfW) bridge in MULTICO for Windows, open MULTICO Utilities, from the Tools menu choose Integration Setup, select (highlight) the AMS for Windows (AfW) program, and check the “Active” box to activate the bridge. 

Integration Issues  

The codes AfW and MULTICO use for Passive Restraint, Anti-Theft and Anti-Lock Brake may not always match. Therefore, this information will always need to be verified after any integration occurs.

A MULTICO quote can have a maximum of 5 vehicles and 7 drivers. Any unlicensed drivers (plus excluded, nonrated or deferred drivers) listed on an auto policy in AfW and exported to MULTICO will not display in a MULTICO Preferred Auto quote. However, these drivers will be included in the record exported back to AfW to prevent them from being deleted by the quote. Unlicensed drivers will display in a MULTICO Nonstandard Auto quote with the “Licensing” field designated with “Not licensed”, but the “Operator Type” will show “Principal” and the “Date Licensed” and “In State” will default with the month/year of the policy effective date and be grayed out.

Workflow

As previously stated, the rating certification supports a two-way integration between AfW and MULTICO for Windows. However, since programs running inside the Host application (AfW Online) cannot communicate with programs running on the workstation and visa versa, the user must “manually” invoke the integration programs.

MULTICO to AfW

Please refer to the MULTICO online Help Contents for additional support in exporting a quote.

• Rate the policy in MULTICO for Windows.
• Select the applicable Company quote from the Comparison Chart.
• From the Company Specific Quote screen click File and then Export.
• The “Export to” window appears. Double click AMS for Windows (AfW) or highlight it and click Ok.
• MULTICO will export the quote (AFW001.AL3) to the C:\MULTRATE directory.
• The user will then access AfW Online and import this quote via the Link Configuration screen. Important: This step must occur before the user, working on the same pc, transfers another quote out of MULTICO, creating another AFW001.AL3 record, exporting to C:\MULTRATE directory where it will overlay the previous one.

AfW to MULTICO

Please refer to the AfW on-line documentation for help in exporting a policy.

• Export policy in AfW to MULTICO via the Link Configuration screen.
• AL3 Export screen displays. Verify policy to be exported then select Export.
• AfW will create a record named AMS.AL3 and transfer it to the C:\MULTRATE directory.
• The user will then click on the MULTICO “IMPORT.EXE” desktop item which will cause MULTICO for Windows to launch, prompt the user to select the applicable MULTICO rating program: Auto or Homeowners and then immediately begin to import the file (AMS.AL3).