Apex and Clickforms

[Eminent Domain]

Earlier this year I began a search for a new sketching program for Clickforms which coincided with the new release of Medina. I had some good feedback from the folks at Apex such as:


"As Randy mentioned, all attention currently is on the Assessor release of Medina (Medina Premium) which will happen today. Immediately following, we will be applying the spec for additional features coming out in Medina Pro which we have slated for April of this year...

However, we release updates on a regular basis and we are awaiting any adjustments or needs from the URAR vendors with regard to integration improvement.

We definitely need some work on the BT integration side with regard to the image file (clipping issue) and we're working on that now. Then there are a handful of other issues we need to tweak/fix/change to make it better for users... I suspect, barring anything major on the Assessor release - we'll see a new update in 10-14 days."



So this being said I would like to ask the community at large if the bulk of the bugs have been worked out and is integration smooth with the new version of clickforms? I seek purchasing this new software in the next few weeks. Thanks for any and all feedback.

Bryan

 

[seattle98116]

Bryan, I purchased the upgrade late last year prior to in being released as I was a user of previous versions (with ClickFORMS) and found them very user-friendly. However, once the roll-out happened, it went all down hill for me. I have had multiple problems with Icons/Symbols that were changed with the new roll-out and always was told that they were working on them and would be in the next release...well, the newest release came out a few weeks ago and none of the things were fixed and new items arose. I called and talked to them again with to really no avail.

With the old versions and even the first/second release of Medina, you could use the "text" function -- alpha characters to bring up the text and icon selections. Now, they took that feature off for some reason and you have to manually type in the word...it really adds significant time to complete..They said they plan on re-instating that feature soon to, but didn't give any dates.

If you have v2 or v3 (which are not supported or sold anymore) I would recommend to keep using those versions. I wish I never upgraded. I am not sure if they are in over their heads with this new product, but feel that it is worse for appraisers (sketching properties) than what they had before. They didn't have an answer for me on when the fixes would be taken care of. I think I am giving up that they will ever fix them.

If you can, I would wait until they can confirm if/when all of these new fixes are to be released(I know new bugs arise, but these are really old issues that we brought up soon after the initial release of Medina)...otherwise, you are going to add to your production time.
Justin

 

[Eminent Domain]

Justin,

Thanks for the reply. I have purposefully put off a new purchase hoping the time lag would permit the majority of the bugs to be fixed. I was impressed with the company since the management and development guys always addressed users concerns here on the forum and was hoping to go that route since it appeared they were really service oriented.

I don't have one of the older versions of Apex but in fact I am still using the very old sketcher program and it is becoming difficult. I have to constantly move phrases all around to try and get them to look decent and it appears to be cumbersome when compared to the bells and whistles one sees in all these new programs. I am slow to adapt new programs as I find the learning curve to be less profitable than staying the same. But occassionally twenty year old technology just can't keep up anymore.

I will lurk a little more here and hope either the Apex guys chime in or some other users before I make my final decision.

Again thanks for the information.

Bryan

 

[Randall Garrett]

Justin:

Thanks for letting us know your concerns. The "type ahead" function you mention is a simple "focus" issue brought about by the new functionality of the command bar. I believe this particular issue has been resolved and will be in the next update. We're meeting on a release time/date later today and I'll post on this when I have something definite. Still, the overwhelming number of users have enjoyed the additional functionality added because of the command bar. They find it easier/faster to simply drag and drop the text, symbols and fills vs having to type something in... Anyway, to be sure, if you can let me know, step by step, what is not working the way you want it to, I will check to make sure that it has been corrected. What I mean us something like "Hit [T] then type in 'Gar' and I want 'Garage' to be there and just hit [Enter] to put it on the screen." I don't need a lengthy description, just the basics. If it is not clear, I'll ask for clarification...

I would like to know what problems you are having with Symbols, as well, so that I may also confirm whether they are working as desired in the update.

I apologize if our staff have not been helpful, and I really appreciate seeing feedback on the forums. Sometimes this is the only way I hear about issues. I assure you that I am not in over my head on this, LOL. I'm on record for posting that v4.0 of Medina was the first version of my program that I was not personally driving development. I thought v4.0 was a major step backward - too much fluff and not enough functionality. Once I got through with most of my international travel, I ceased updates for v4 and tore the product down to the core to rewrite things needing "under the hood" improvements. This is why there were no v4.0 updates past last spring. Given how far down to the core it was taken, there was no way to trickle out "point releases." We had to get it totally revamped and rebuilt before we could release v4.1. Now, we're on track with regular updates. The absolute need to deliver the Assessor product next week has delayed updates to the fee appraiser version which would have normally been released. Still, working on the Assessor version is not a "total loss" for fee appraisers since a lot of the code from the Assessor version ends up going in the fee appraiser version.

Most of our users tell us that the v4.1 release makes them more efficient, not less. I totally understand the propensity of appraisers to resist change and I have always striven to make each successive release of Apex be as backward compatible as possible - trying to keep keystrokes the same, etc., and I'll only make a radical change to things if I can prove to the vast majority that a change is warranted.

Anyway, I am now late for the release date meeting so I need to close. Hopefully, I'll have a release date/time in my next post. I've been using it since last week and like what I see, though I still have a lot more to add and improve upon... Please don't hesitate to let me know what you don't like, what you do (if anything, LOL) and what other items/features you would like. Constructive criticism is welcomed by me - user feedback is the only way I know what you want me to concentrate on.
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[Em Tee]

I have Medina with Clickforms and really have no problems. The only slight problem I've experienced was a couple of times I went to place in some stairs and for some reason, they wouldn't go onto the sketch. I exited out, restarted Medina, and it worked fine. I actually like Medina with the different colors for different areas of my sketch.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Bryan:

I have people waiting for me to show up, so this has to be fast. Why don't you just download the evaluation version and try it out for yourself? We have improved a LOT of items, including some items specific to BT users. You won't be able to use the demo version in true integrated fashion, but that should be no barrier to seeing if the sketching stuff works well for you.

Let me know if I may be of further help!
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[Randall Garrett]

Mary:

What version are you using?
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[Randall Garrett]

Update

OK, meeting concluded - here's the deal.

I made a change to the command bar last week (added some functionality) and there is a cosmetic issue which needs to be resolved before QA will let it go. There is also a old MDI issue which we want to try and resolve before releasing the next update, so we will not be releasing the update today. We all feel that, even as minor as these items are, we'd rather not release this update at the end of the day. Hence, the plan is to review and test the fixes to these two items this afternoon and then put it through more testing tonight.

We are also compiling a list of items fixed, known items, etc. I'll be reviewing this list later today and I will post the significant items here so everyone will know wazzup. The typical "readme" file can contain some geeky items, so I want to pare it down some, put it into "English" and just touch on the user-related items.

Hope this helps!
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[Eminent Domain]

Mary,

Thanks for the update. I know we posted on this back in January. I move very slow. My wife always says I over analyzed things.



Randall,

As always I appreciate the communication from the "big guns" on software. I will take you up on the download and give it a try in the next few days.


Bryan

 

[Randall Garrett]

Bryan:

Glad to try and help. I should have more pertinent update info here soon...
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