Backing Up And Copying Files With Aurora

[marc paolella]

Is it true that I CANNOT back up my own files? This seems absurd.

If it IS true, does that also mean that I cannot copy files from one computer to another?

Meaning: I cannot do the following?

1) Copy files to my laptop and have them appear on the desktop
2) Copy files over the internet to my Wintotal installation at mt second home.
3) Copy files from my backup computer to my main computer

If this is true, then this is a BIG problem for me and I will reconsider staying with alamode.

 

[Will43]

Backup and Restore (Aurora): Since WinTOTAL's Aurora generation uses Microsoft's powerful SQL database system to dramatically speed up the program, there is no suitable process to backup and restore WinTOTAL without the aid of the Vault. If you wish to backup and restore your Aurora software and data, contact us at 1-800-ALAMODE and ask about the Vault and Exact.

It was nice with the old software. It took about 2 seconds to copy a report to a CD or external hard drive.

 

[xmusienb]

there is no suitable process to backup and restore WinTOTAL without the aid of the Vault

Repeat after me class:

Data mining.

 

[mpkrodel]

As I said in the other thread going on, you can still back up data files on a CD. We updated document 4303 a couple of weeks ago to more accurately reflect how it works, and I apologize for any confusion there.

More importantly, a la mode does not mine data from Vault file - it's illegal and stated in our license agreement. In fact, our position on data theft is arguably the most vocal in the industry. Go to our website at http://www.alamode.com/copyright/ for videos from our conference earlier this year where we talked extensively about protecting your intellectual property.

If you all know of others stating false information like this about the Vault, point them to our website so others won't be misled, too. Thanks.

Matt Krodel
Executive Vice President, Customer Service
a la mode, inc.

 

[Sharon Dossett]

You can still copy your files and move them to your laptop or where ever. All you have to do is go into your files and make a copy and transfer to the device you use to transport your files on. You can also back up your own files by burning them to CD, or use a zip drive, or you can get an external drive and have WinTotal save your files to that drive. In WindowsXP you also have the option of backing up your files on a regular basis.

The major difference is the management section, where you used to run reports and statements. If you purchase QuickBooks, it would be a lot cheaper than getting XSites. In QuickBooks you would have more ability to personalize your statements.

 

[josephdifranco]

Document 4303 has been substantially changed since my original post of its contents stating that "you won't be able to backup without the aid of the vault"


They cut that comment from the document pretty fast! I believe document 5404, with the long description of how to backup, was most likely back dated to one day before my original post. My post was dated 10/27, 5064 is dated 10/26. Not a coincidence. I never saw 5064 til some of these more recent posts. I'd guess Alamode checked with their lawyer who told them it was not legal to tell us we can't back up and have to use the vault.

Document 4303 is very very different than it was on 10/26!

Hey Alamode, I reiterate, I'll buy products I like, don't force me into it! Why are you treating your customers this way! Do it right the first time, don't push us into something and then backpedal later, we deserve better!

I still remember how you were going to kick out the apex v2 integration until we complained. It was not cool then and its still not cool now.

Does anyone else see what I am seeing here????

 

[Scott Kinnaird]

Joseph, I'm going to jump in here for Matt because he has a very large department to manage and even though I encourage him to stay active on this forum, it is so he can help people, not debate our company's integrity or motives.

As everyone can read only a couple of posts previous to this one, we edited and corrected the support document after your original comment. Matt directed his people to jump on it immediately. His response time concerning this particular issue speaks for itself. As far as the other document is concerned, Matt's guys didn't back date it because of your post, the document was dated such because the revision was started that day and finished later.

I direct our various executives, whether they are responsible for support or product or sales, to use these forums constructively to find out what we're doing right and what we're doing wrong. That's a big enough job by itself; managing people and processes while reading forum posts on almost an hourly basis. What I don't expect them to do is spend their time, as well as our customers' time, wading through misstatements and non-constructive, inaccurate comments, just so they can correct and debate issues that aren't even relevant to facts that provide solid solutions to our customers. Doing that reduces the forum's effectiveness for our employees and our customers. It becomes a waste of time. For these reasons I instruct our people to stick to the facts and I encourage you to do the same.

Bug reports, unpleasant as they are to write and to read, are incredibly helpful and always result in a constructive conversation with our developers who fix the issue and learn how to to prevent similar issues in the future. I guarantee you when a customer complains about our support on the forums, we immediately pull up our call logs to see precisely what happened and when, and how we could have handled the situation better. For that reason alone, these forums and the comments we receive from these forums are invaluable.

What doesn't help any member of this forum are comments that question our motives or our integrity. a la mode has the most vocal and longest established track record of appraiser advocacy in the industry. Bar none.

Bottom line? We encourage constructive comments, suggestions, and complaints we receive on this forum. Frankly, we rely on them. Our executives constantly monitor the forum for this valuable information. What they won't spend their time doing is defending our company's motives or integrity when the comments are based on inaccurate and nonsensical accusations.

Scott Kinnaird
CEO
a la mode

 

[The Matrix]

A la mode addressed the issue of backing-up appraisals and they did it quickly. I've been an A la mode customer for 12+ years and overall I'm very pleased with their software and tech support. A la mode has been a huge asset in many ways to the residential appraisal industry. Aurora's technology is a real time saver and their new mapping program is great. I think A la mode deserves a little praise for their extensive contributions to the appraisal industry.

 

[josephdifranco]

"What they won't spend their time doing is defending our company's motives or integrity when the comments are based on inaccurate and nonsensical accusations."

You would not be responding if my comments were not accurate.


Fact:

1.) Alamode notified customers that Apex 2 integration would be removed. Later, integration was "left alone" after complaints on the forum. Clearly it was a push toward apex 3.

2.) Document 4303 in the same vein, stated that we could not back up the new databases on our own, and directed us to purchase the vault.

I want to trust my software company. Do these actions instill trust? Ironically, I recently jumped on board wholeheartedly, upgrading to enterprise and paying a substantial amount for the full line of products. Thats why these issues are disappointing to me. I'm a great customer, I've purchased other Alamode add ons before going to enterprise, and I don't like it when you hold the functionality of the software over my head, with the only option being a purchase.

Yes, it turned out there was an option in this case, but you had to re-write your documents to make it right.

Going forward, I hope Alamode will simply sell its products without any arm twisting. In fact, I like the products, that was lost in all my posts because of these recent issues. You have a good sales force, I get well written and well printed flyers, sales calls, its an important part of the business.

There is a difference between selling and arm twisting. I hope in the future the software company I have invested more in than any other will stick to good products, good customer service, and good selling.

 

[Workbox]

So you really didn't need to upgrade to apex3? <_<