The extranet service enables advisers to seamlessly transact business electronically from quotation through to completion either directly with AEGON or via their multiple distribution channels with industry portals and leading Network portals. The service also provides facilities to internal & branch users, enabling them to assist the adviser through the process and with features such as special deals and approvals.

Supporting both online and offline business, the extranet has been developed from adviser feedback to meet the demands of today's adviser business models. The new solution will provide an enhanced service to advisers, not only can advisers operate the system at a time to suit them, but through email linking advisers can switch cases, so others can pick up where they left off and it has full save and recall functionality.

This development forms part of a wider project to redevelop AEGON's corporate extranet service in line with new branding requirements and an overall consolidation of existing IT platforms helping to reduce the overall cost of new business whilst enhancing the service to advisers. The platform has the potential to be easily extended into other product areas whilst providing AEGON with the ability to self-maintain the solution to help reduce the overall cost of ownership and increase the speed of change.

The benefits of the new solution are numerous:

a faster, more efficient service by which advisers can conduct business

straight through processing model ensures all data is transferred to their back office systems without any manual intervention

decreased costs associated with customer acquisition

better relations with AEGON's advisers, whilst improving the customer experience

The Investment Control Bond is particularly attractive to investors in the current economic climate, as not only does the investor receive at least their minimum investment back even if the bond's value has fallen; they can cash in the pol the policy after 5 years and the protection still applies; and an annual bonus is paid for investments of £25,000 or more.

Richard Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer, Focus Solutions, commented: "Focus continues to provide market leading solutions to leading financial services companies and we are delighted to be extending our relationship with AEGON, one of the largest players in this industry. Focus remains at the forefront of eCommerce, developing innovative front-end solutions for our customers and this partnership further strengthens our presence in this space."

Derek Hendry, Head of eCommerce at AEGON Scottish Equitable added: "Providing advisers with the capability for electronic transactions is increasingly important, and can really make life easier for advisers. This is the first phase of a wider project to develop the service to advisers and roll out the system within other areas of AEGON. Focus' reputation for delivering flexible, efficient and effective ecommerce solutions combined with their industry knowledge made them our preferred technology partner. The new proposition will enable us to develop our brand and distribution strategy whilst supporting our vision for growth."