ACI, Thinking about switching or purchasing

[djohn1026]

ACI Tech support has been missing in action for the last two years. No answer today and for the last two years it takes well over 40 minutes to reach tech support. If you are new to the business or thinking about switching, think twice about ACI. And yes, you will need tech support a few times per year. I brought up the wait times to a technician and he all but hung up on me a year or so ago. He didn't want to hear my complaint. If I thought I would survive making the change I would in a heartbeat!!!

 

[Alsie35]

Haven't had your trouble. Yes, their techs are busy, but that's why I usually work while I have them on hands-free hold. (Now if you can't work because of an ACI software problem, then I get your beef).

But I seriously doubt that the trouble of switching and learning new software, with the loss of your shortcuts, common responses, and, most importantly, comparables database would make it worth your trouble.

Heck, I'm not even thinking of doing it when I move to TX later this year and start from scratch. I'll have enough new stuff to learn without changing software from ACI.

And - once the "new" FANNIE Forms monstrosity is unleashed in the near future - well its gonna SUCK no matter what your software is. And then ACI will have to update their software anyway & you would have done one extra unnecessary "reboot".

Just my 2 cents off the cuff.

 

[Overimprovement]

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, software cost is a pretty small piece of our expense pie. You could setup a 2nd PC/laptop and do a trial version (most offer that) and do your main reports on ACI while learning the new system.

My hunch is yes you will spend probably 40-50 hours getting fully up to speed on something new, which includes retyping your common responses, boilerplate, etc.

But the other way to look at is this--how much time is ACI really costing you per year right now? Enough to justify the cost and time to learn a new software? Several times a year on hold for an hour is 3-4 hours of time per year, far less time spent than learning some new software. Now if there are other things you hate, like I said, you can always trial something new...

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Can't remember the last time I called Alamode support.
No need, and it's been a few years. I do not regret switching from the "Appraisers Choice".

 

[TMG]

I've had ACI for 8 years, and I'm pretty happy. Everything works smooth. On average, I need their tech support 1-3x per year, and yes, the wait times can be up to 20 mins. But they always resolve my issue, and provide great customer service. I see a lot of AMCs using ACI Sky report delivery now too, makes me glad I'm already on that platform.

 

[Joe Flacco]

Alamode is the best

 

[Alsie35]

Alamode is the best

From what I've read, I don't doubt it. But when you've used ACI for 19 years in the same market area, switching is just not a practical option.

 

[djohn1026]

As you can tell my frustration boiled over yesterday. I have tried to convince myself to try a new software but like the comments above this will probably never happen. Too old and dumb...

 

[jwarrenhi]

Interesting that ACI eliminated their 24/7 premier support last month.