[GregoryK]

We have just implemented this product across the company, and actually began using it this week for report production. As we do mostly appraisal for various State Highway Departments, we are having Dan at Datappraise develop the appropriate report templates as I just do not have the time. So we have not yet been able to take full advantage of the report generation capabilities. Also, I have noticed that with our clerical staff (which tends to be older) the learning curve is a little steeper than I had imagined. Our younger people though have seemed to take to it quite readily. Having said that, I had projected a 30% efficiency in production with this product. However, in the short term that may have been a little optimistic, as developing the spreadsheets and reports is taking longer than I had anticipated. But this is in part due to other demands on my time. If I could focus a week on this task I am sure we would see benefits much more rapidly. I will say, Datappraise offers a very good training program and their support is excellent.

[tsiegel]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

We have just implemented this product across the company, and actually began using it this week for report production. As we do mostly appraisal for various State Highway Departments, we are having Dan at Datappraise develop the appropriate report templates as I just do not have the time. So we have not yet been able to take full advantage of the report generation capabilities. Also, I have noticed that with our clerical staff (which tends to be older) the learning curve is a little steeper than I had imagined. Our younger people though have seemed to take to it quite readily. Having said that, I had projected a 30% efficiency in production with this product. However, in the short term that may have been a little optimistic, as developing the spreadsheets and reports is taking longer than I had anticipated. But this is in part due to other demands on my time. If I could focus a week on this task I am sure we would see benefits much more rapidly. I will say, Datappraise offers a very good training program and their support is excellent.

30% would be good if you could get it to that. Seems like it would be worth the price with a 20% increase in efficiency. I imagine, once the report writing feature is in full swing, you will be looking at, not only increased efficiency, buy fewer typographical errors. Am I right about that? At least I am hoping that it means that for my company.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences with Datappraise.

[GregoryK]

Fewer errors was a primary driver for this decision. Most of our work involves several properties along a highway corridor. I was finding that because we were cutting and pasting, and tending to use one document as a base or template for all the properties, errors tended to get replicated over and over. Then instead of correcting one report upon a QC check, the appraisers was having to fix the same error on many appraisals.

Other minor considerations:
1. We can tract subject properties and potential use them for proximity damage studies
2. The ability to add multiple sales to the same property. This would permit trending analysis, etc.
3. Ability to use subject property data for expense comps.
4. Having a standard manner in which expense/income data is tracked so that expenses can be studied and analyzed across properties easier.

Also the willingness of Datappraise to develop templates that suits are specialized needss.

[tsiegel]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

Fewer errors was a primary driver for this decision. Most of our work involves several properties along a highway corridor. I was finding that because we were cutting and pasting, and tending to use one document as a base or template for all the properties, errors tended to get replicated over and over. Then instead of correcting one report upon a QC check, the appraisers was having to fix the same error on many appraisals.

So... How are you liking it now?

I just had a walk-through of the Datappraise software and I got a walk-through of Narrative 1 last week. Narrative 1 smells a little old and clunky (sorry Bob, I know you're reading this) and datappraise seems new and shiny. I like that datappraise is in the cloud and I think they will win the mobile race as well. Not to mention that it is considerably less expensive. That's a biggie in my world. Datappraise has a free trial, so I will certainly be checking that out.

But do give us an update as to the pros and cons as you see them. Would love to know your thoughts.

[GregoryK]

Well the people there at Datappraise are amazing. We have had some custom reports built as our work is highly specialized. The cost of doing so was extremely reasonable. I was surprised. Some of our older people though are not taking to it so much, but I dont hing they would accept anything new easily. Mapping abaility and image handling is excellent. I am happy so far.

[tsiegel]

Originally Posted by GregoryK

Well the people there at Datappraise are amazing. We have had some custom reports built as our work is highly specialized. The cost of doing so was extremely reasonable. I was surprised. Some of our older people though are not taking to it so much, but I dont hing they would accept anything new easily. Mapping abaility and image handling is excellent. I am happy so far.

Great! thanks for the update. I am pretty sure I will be giving it a test drive shortly.