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additional cost for filters for your existingphone lines/fax lines – a minor cost - andthe phone company will likely include theDSL modem. 1.5 is the lowest serviceavailable but I would recommend 3.0 to4.5. But all would be quite satisfactory fornormal Allstate and Internet services.Cable Internet service is the third optionto consider. A coaxial cable like yourcable television line will be brought intoyour office. It may already be in your building.Speed levels for this ‘road’ are 6.0, 7,8 mbps and higher for normal service levels.Much like DSL, the upload speedsare lower. Cable can be more like a fouror six lane highway, with other traffic inthe neighborhood slowing you down, butjust by a little. Data downloads can flexup and down almost imperceptibly duringthe day, but overall, you will enjoy a betterlevel of service than DSL in most situations.The cable company may include thecable modem or you may have to purchaseyour own. Service outages should also berare, but will happen if you have an electricservice failure in your town.You can inquire about any of theseservices with a simple phone call to yourlocal telephone company or cable company.Keep in mind there may be a twoweek or longer installation time frame.As soon as you receive the letter aboutyour office conversion you should be preparedto order your Internet access.Step 2:Now it’s time to make a decisionabout the new computers and hardwareyou’ll be installing in your office. Mostnormal items can be ordered, shippedand received in 7 to 12 days. There is alot of information available about thetypes and minimum specifications, muchof which has been written about in pastissues of this magazine. My advice hereis to not overthink this, just observe thenormal computer specifications and getthem ordered.One item you will need is a router.Only one per office is required. SomeDSL modems include a built-in router,but many do not. A router permits allof the computer devices in your officeto talk to the Internet. The router plugsinto the modem, and then all of the computersare connected to it, either directlyby cabling or through a switch.Your office should already have computercabling running from each computerto an existing router. You will exchangeyour new router for the company’sexisting Cisco router and then plug thenew router into the cable/DSL modemor T1 interface. This all sounds prettysimple, but it can be more complicated ifyou have more computers than the routerhas built in switching capabilities. In thatevent, your network setup person willdetermine if you need to use a switch.This would generally be the case if youhave five or more computers or, as statedbefore, more computers than the routerhas switching capabilities. Every agencyalready has a switch in their existing Allstatesetup, which should work just fine.The techs have not typically sent the existingswitches back, so, chances are, itwill be left with you.Step 3:Once you have your Internet serviceline installed and your computers delivered,it is time to schedule your conversionvisit. There are several options tothink about here. You can choose thecompany-paid conversion visit, pickone of several vendors that advertiseconversion help or you can do the jobyourself.Conversion by company-paid personnelcan take from 1 ½ to 3 hoursper computer. The company-providedconversion techs will unbox your computers,set them up for you and preparethe company-owned equipment forshipment. It is imperative that you haveyour Internet connection and router setup for the technician’s visit because theconversion cannot be completed withouta live hook up.Some final recommendations: SinceAllstate agents are now making major investmentsin office technology, it wouldbe prudent to spend a few extra dollars toprotect these new systems from potentialharm. First, I would recommend a UPS/surge protection system with a batterybackup for each computer and anotherfor the modem/router combination. Theyrange from $75 to $90 each. A good Anti-Virus with an Internet Security Suite thatupdates daily is also essential.If you are about to be converted, it isimportant not to wait until the last day toprepare yourself. Go back and read the articlesin past issues of Exclusivefocus andtake the steps necessary to ensure a smoothconversion. You’ll be glad you did.I Want to Help You sell More AFS!I Have Some Tipsthat Can Help You Achieve Your Expected Resultsthis Year. Learn from a Pro when You Join NAPAA.Ranked #1 in AFS Production Credit in4 of the past 5 Years.To Learn More Contact Gerry Flores at(563) 564-1800 or at GERBEAR_61@HOTMAIL.COMSpring 2009 Exclusivefocus — 37