Most brokers recognize the needto provide an online enrollment solution for clients, and many havealready adopted and implemented a system.

But how do you know if you have the right benefits and HR system? There are a few things to considerand red flags to watch out for, and now is the time to make thatevaluation.

To maximize efficiency during the busy open enrollment season,you will want a functional system in place prior to the fourthquarter. If you're experiencing issues with your system, they areunlikely to resolve if you don't action.

Having enough time to make that determination and take anynecessary steps will ensure you recognize the most return on yourinvestment.

With that in mind, here are three benefits tech “red flags” toreview.

Support concerns

Apple is regarded as having some of the easiest-to-use productson the planet. Anyone who has been to an Apple store knows that thecompany also regards personal support as critical for its users tobe as successful as they can be while using Apple products. That inmind, what kind of support are you getting from your HR andbenefits technology vendor?

Do you have a dedicated support contact? When you reach out forsupport, what kind of turnaround do you receive in response to helpresolve your question? Do you get help with prospect demos?

Open enrollment is typically a support-heavy time for brokers.If the support you're receiving from your vendor is subpar, you mayexperience additional challenges in the fourth quarter.

Lack of user growth or product use

There is usually a learning curve period with any new technologyplatform. Many brokers adopt a system at the request of aparticular group or a few key groups, and it's normal to prioritizerolling out the system with these organizations first.

But once you're up and operational with the system, you shouldsee consistent user growth by bringing your other groups online.Similarly, you will want to see expanded use of the system by yourgroups as your agency and their administrators become more familiarwith the platform's full functionality.

While you might begin with just benefits enrollment, learning to use the tool'sother HR features will both solve administrative headaches andcreate stickiness with clients.

If your user growth has stagnated and you don't see expandedsystem functionality in your future, this is something you willwant to address before continuing a partnership with thevendor.

Costs rising unsustainably

If your user growth is strong, you might be experiencing anotherred flag – unsustainable price increases. Some HR and benefitssystems charge on a per-employee per-month basis, which means asyour user growth rises, so do your costs.

This puts brokers in a position of having to choose betweenefficiency gains and more sustainable pricing. In general, pricingbased on user growth can actually be a disincentive for brokers tomaximize the system's functionality.

Reviewing your system now, in the slower season before thefourth quarter, will give you enough time to address any “redflags” you might uncover, and determine whether your system is theright one for your agency and your clients. If it isn't, considermaking a switch now, so that your agency can be fully ramped upwith a new vendor prior to open enrollment.