Most brokerage firms are drowning in manual processes. Few have figured out how to break free from the spreadsheet treadmill.
Whether you're managing 10 clients or 1,000, you know that renewal season is demanding. It drains your time, compromises accuracy, and limits your ability to deliver the experience clients expect.
That is, of course, unless you use PlanYear.
"We're handling twice the case load with the same team size, and our service quality has actually improved. PlanYear doesn't just solve today's problems - it opens up new ways to grow and beat the competition."
Jeff Bastien
Principal & Founder, Apex Benefits Partners
Apex Benefits Partners launched with a clear mission: disrupt the traditional benefits brokerage model. As a lean team managing a growing client base, they needed to deliver enterprise-level service without enterprise-level resources.
Their biggest operational bottleneck was the renewal process. Manual data entry consumed hours, spreadsheets invited errors, and traditional 30-page PDF benefit guides felt like relics from another era.
As a brokerage built on innovation, using the same outdated tools as everyone else wasn't an option.
Apex discovered PlanYear in the most compelling way possible - through a prospect who refused to switch brokers without it.
"When we saw the demo, the benefits guide website immediately stood out," says Bastien. "But what truly sold us was how the system streamlined the renewal process and directly fed those decisions into the guide. It was a no-brainer."
"Clients view us as forward-thinking and organized. Prospects are consistently impressed by how polished and efficient our process is. PlanYear has given us a real competitive edge."
Fewer questions during open enrollment. Smoother meetings. More confident employees. The web-based guides are accessible year-round, and employees can follow along on their phones during meetings.
PlanYear isn't just a tool for Apex, it's become their operational backbone. Everything runs through it. Clients get administrative access. Employees rave about finding their benefits information easily.
"I wouldn't say PlanYear has simply influenced our long-term strategy - it's become an integral part of it," says Bastien. "Honestly, while I want to see PlanYear succeed as a business, I secretly hope not too many other brokers discover it - because it's been a real competitive edge for us."
Having come from the brokerage industry themselves, the PlanYear team was able to help Apex navigate the path with confidence and clarity.
"We had far more access to the PlanYear team than I expected," notes Bastien. "Monthly check-ins, immediate support, and they actually listen to feedback. They bring in their product team when needed. As an agency whose tagline is 'clients come first,' it's refreshing to work with a partner that treats us the same way."
Apex doubled their capacity without adding staff. They've transformed their brand perception. And they've done it all by choosing the right technology partner.
For brokers serious about scaling efficiently and standing out from the competition, the message is clear: technology is finally changing in benefits. Improving client service can be paired alongside operational efficiencies.
Ready to see how PlanYear can transform your brokerage? Schedule a demo
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