Applied Systems’ withdrawal of its Epic broker management system (BMS) from the UK has prompted industry voices to weigh in on what the move reveals about the state of broker software and market dynamics in the region.
While Applied Systems cited insurer alignment challenges and complex commercial product requirements as key factors in its decision, industry professionals say the announcement also signals broader considerations around market consolidation, supplier saturation, and long-term commitment to UK-specific needs.
Read more: Applied Systems to withdraw platform from UK
Joe Sultana, commercial director at IS2 and former Applied executive, said the exit “significantly reduces the choice brokers have when selecting their broker management system, and could slow down innovation.” He noted, however, that with broker consolidation ongoing, the UK market may currently be overserved by BMS suppliers.
Sultana, whose firm focuses on insurer and MGA technology solutions, said that commercial distribution in the UK remains “complex and nuanced,” requiring not only deep expertise but also sustained research and development.
“The commercial market… does demand a particular expertise. Heritage, relationships, longevity and continual investment in R&D continue to count for a lot in this market,” he said.
Sultana also acknowledged the potential impact on employees, saying he expects those affected to find opportunities quickly within the growing insurtech sector.
SchemeServe CEO Adam Bishop echoed similar views on the long-term investment needed to sustain technology offerings for UK brokers. “In the ever expanding digital insurance market the demands on software providers is acute,” he said.
Bishop noted that it takes consistent R&D and deep market knowledge to meet the needs of commercial brokers, which include end-to-end policy management, reporting, and cost-effective distribution.
“It takes long term commitment to build a presence in the UK market – SchemeServe has been steadily building its presence over the past 25 years. In that time we’ve seen providers come and go,” he added. “The commercial insurance space does require a level of knowledge and expertise that is quite unique in the UK. It demands the ability to take a long term view and stay committed to continual R&D.”
While acknowledging that the news may be difficult for existing Applied Epic users, Bishop maintained that competition in the software market remains active.
Applied Systems, in its public statements through CEO Tom Needs and global CEO Taylor Rhodes, confirmed that the Epic product was unable to achieve the intended market impact and that investments will now be redirected to other regions where the platform has proven sustainable.
Applied Systems has been named as IB Global 5-Star Technology and Software Providers. Read more here.
How do you see the Applied Epic exit affecting broker tech choices in the UK? Let us know in the comments.
