ACI just down or out of business

[Wayne Henry]

delete

XML 1.0 is not compatible with the systems. They are looking for a higher version. I believe the version they are using is XML 2.5. I thought this would be a solution a couple of days ago, but when I converted the PDF to XML, the size was 18KB, which is way too small compared to other PDF XML sets. Thanks for trying.

 

[Marko11]

Hers something from today. Doesn’t say much, but there is a small hint dropped about the impact on the company.

First American

<p>First American Financial Corp. said in a Jan. 3 update that its network and employee email system have been restored following a late December cybersecurity incident. Read on for more.</p>

www.thetitlereport.com

industry security experts are not accomplishing much.

 

[Marko11]

So is ACI fully working now or is it still down?

time to move on to another software.

 

[Non Sequitur]

XML 1.0 is not compatible with the systems. They are looking for a higher version. I believe the version they are using is XML 2.5. I thought this would be a solution a couple of days ago, but when I converted the PDF to XML, the size was 18KB, which is way too small compared to other PDF XML sets. Thanks for trying.

True, the conversion tool Freedom is working on will be to GSE standards.

 

[Wayne Henry]

Freedom Appraise

freedomappraise.com

Thanks for the input; however, I am moving away from a cloud-based solution after the recent cyberattack events that took their servers offline. Whatever system I move to should have both a cloud-based and a stand-alone system in case of issues like this. Yes, this has not happened in 20 years with ACI, however, with the speed of technology these days this may start to occur more often. Last year, this time, I did not know anything about a "BARD" or "CHAT GPT," and now look at me. I use it every day to find a solution to a problem or ask a question. This should also have appraisers wondering about the "Vault" that Alamode created. What will happen if it becomes exposed? We should have our backup systems for our reports. We should be able to open and change our reports, and we should not rely totally on outside companies for our report security. I read a story on Reddit about an appraiser who was held hostage to subscribe by Alamode to access his old reports, and that is just not right. I understand the argument that we rent the software, which is fine; however, it should allow us access to previously created reports but no access to create new ones if the subscription lapses. That seems fair.

 

[BRCJR]

XML 1.0 is not compatible with the systems. They are looking for a higher version. I believe the version they are using is XML 2.5. I thought this would be a solution a couple of days ago, but when I converted the PDF to XML, the size was 18KB, which is way too small compared to other PDF XML sets. Thanks for trying.

I deleted my post after I tried it, too.

You must have been quick reading and replying!

 

[alavalue]

Thanks for the input; however, I am moving away from a cloud-based solution after the recent cyberattack events that took their servers offline. Whatever system I move to should have both a cloud-based and a stand-alone system in case of issues like this. Yes, this has not happened in 20 years with ACI, however, with the speed of technology these days this may start to occur more often. Last year, this time, I did not know anything about a "BARD" or "CHAT GPT," and now look at me. I use it every day to find a solution to a problem or ask a question. This should also have appraisers wondering about the "Vault" that Alamode created. What will happen if it becomes exposed? We should have our backup systems for our reports. We should be able to open and change our reports, and we should not rely totally on outside companies for our report security. I read a story on Reddit about an appraiser who was held hostage to subscribe by Alamode to access his old reports, and that is just not right. I understand the argument that we rent the software, which is fine; however, it should allow us access to previously created reports but no access to create new ones if the subscription lapses. That seems fair.

I agree with you. Also, we all must keep our reports and be able to produce them if requested to do so by our state boards. I store my reports on an external drive including, pdf, xml, and the report itself.

 

[goumcanes]

I also simply copy all PDF and .xml files to an external hard drive. Dont want to pay any more $$$ for 'cloud' storage when storms may be evident. Biggest risk with this is that i simply forget to plug in the external and move the files to the drive. Retrieval is simple..in fact I was hit with a "random" state audit a few years ago where 6 mos of files were requested. The drive was provided and they sat at my desk and looked...easy.

 

[ToddGack80]

I wonder if someone will initiate a class action suit to recover all the lost revenue. Despite the holiday I had 3 calls about orders and their first question was "do you have ACI?"

I guess the next thing to do is consider having 2 separate software suites, although given this is the first time since I've had ACI (10 years?) that it's been access has been an issue for more than a couple hours.

 

[ToddGack80]

Wait. Do you mean to tell me no one who works for ACI has a home computer? A mobile phone? A LAN line outside the company that they can use to call a news outlet? Go on X, Facebook, IG, or here and get the word out to their customers of what happened and what they are doing hour by hour to fix the problem. Come on, give me a break. As appraisers, we are business owners, and to go dark for days when an order is due to our clients will cost us that client. Even if I were laid up in a hospital bed with an IV drip, I would try to send an update via my mobile phone or have an assistant send an update to my client. All we received is this website: https://www.firstamupdate.com. There is no phone recording. No emails to their customers with an update. Nothing from ACI. The problem with not updating customers and the silence from the ACI camp is that it causes conspiracy theories to run wild, and then, soon, trust starts to dissipate, and public trust is gold in our industry. Suppose they were ahead of this problem on Thursday when it started with regular updates and actions to give confidence that they had the situation under control (even if they didn't). The AMCs probably would not be banning ACI users from uploading appraisals, which may not be reversed due to fear of further spread of the cyberattack. Their inaction is going to cost us business for the foreseeable future. Perception can be reality.

I'm sure they do, but is there a story here? Outside people in the business who cares? Really? TBH, business has been so bad for so long I've been focusing on my other income streams. Outside of the last weekend when I got 2 calls for orders (neither of which I could accept due to ACI) I am averaging about 1 order a month. That's not even considered "part-time" hours. At that rate my insurance, CE and license costs are barely covered, so what is the point?