ACI registration fees vs. Alamode

[Twosea2003]

I have been having many, many problems with my ACI software for a long time with it crashing and losing entire reports once or twice. I thought it was my computer and I now see it may very well have been the software.

My registration expired yesterday and I called to find out what the fees were and was blown away at the cost for the most basic package - $545! I told them it was extortion.

We have to send our UAD reports through the software vendors so ACI is now going to charge exorbitant prices because they have us over a barrel. I was forced to look at the competition, which I now see I should have done a long time ago. I don't want to have to invest in a new software package but the Alamode software is only $349 a year for their basic package and the software looks like it's easier to use and has more features that can save time. Hopefully, they won't raise their prices in the same manner ACI has. Being a form appraiser is NOT worth all this.

ACI is pricing themselves right out of the market. For those of us who only do this part time, these fees represent a huge chunk of income. It's outrageous.

Am I correct that there is no other way to deliver UAD reports except through the software vendors? And is Alamode the best choice over other vendors (excluding ACI)?

 

[Sid Holderly]

I use Alamode, mostly total 2011 now, but have a copy of NCV software in the wings to learn. I will likely go to it full time by the end of the year as I am doing less residential work. Alamodes add-ons also start to add up, most of which I only need part of the time.

 

[indiana residential]

The basic package is NOW $545? It was $395 in Aug 2011... Then we had to add the $195 for ability to send XML reports (a joke), and we upgraded the computer to windows 7, oh guess what Apex doesn't work, must buy Apex medina another $150 (I think)....

At renewal in August 2012 I thought we are looking at $395 Basic + 200 XML + some flood maps $100. for a total of $700.00 this is armed robbery, I could deal with it, if their software was top notch, and tech support actually answered when you need them....

 

[Twosea2003]

Yes, the basic package is $545. I switched to Total and have been playing with it and it seems like it's light years beyond ACI, unless I wasn't using ACI to it's full functionality, but I don't think that's the case. They will price themselves right out of the business.

 

[Fargo1]

I'd like to stick with ACI but the basic package with xml is just too expensive. XML should be included in the $395 renewal fee. On top of that is a real hassle to have to call them everytime you want to use your lap top. They should allow a 2nd license for a mobile computer, not make you purchase another full license.

NCV is going to be seeing a lot of customers soon. I hope JD can handle it.

 

[indiana residential]

I agree with Fargo, paying full price to use a laptop? come on...

I think we will be done with ACI also in August when we expire for good...

 

[Fargo1]

I agree with Fargo, paying full price to use a laptop? come on...

I think we will be done with ACI also in August when we expire for good...

I think ACI is going to feel another round of hurt this fall. Although people were frustrated with the UAD thing, they kept ACI because it seemed easier to deal with the UAD issues than to deal with UAD and new software at the same time. Now that UAD is more or less settled out for everyone, people will start looking to change software because of the headaches they had a year ago.

 

[JRice0220]

ACI appears to be getting worse with each web update (you would think it would be the opposite). I was running pretty smoothly less than a month back. Then I was "forced" to web update to make mappoint work again.

Now every time I save, add/remove forms, spell check, ect. It will "load" for 30 seconds to a minute before it finally snaps back to workable/clickable form. If I click during the thinking time it will have an error and crash. This appears to be a consistent issue among appraisers who work in our office along with those who work from home. Been thinking of making the switch for our office but the cost difference along with having to change all computers have made us stay with ACI... for now.

I just wish we weren't all in the dark and got some idea of when ACI will work like it is expected to.