Have ACI - Thinking Of Changing

[Restrain]

O.K. guys. I currently use ACI 8., works O.K., no bells and whistles, just keeps on going. Wife is interested in changing to Alamode. I thinks she's more upset at the $300+ for yearly updates than anything else. However, it would be nice to do sketches on a Palm Pilot.

That being said, is there any real reason to change software providers? What's the yearly Alamode charge for a full package including commercial and ERC? What's the learning curve?

Inquiring minds want to know.,

Roger

 

[EDWARD BERRY]

Roger,

I use ACI and even with some bugs can usually do a work around. 95% here use Alamode.

But unless you get (pay money) for the online service ad do all the downloads -when you have problems the first thing the service person will say-" well you dont have the updates".

To be fair, thats not MY experience but the appraiser across the hall.

Alamode is our state neighbour so I don't mean to say anything bad about them.

Dave B. monitors this forum and has always responded to a real problem.

I cannot see how anyone can efficiently do a sketch in the field on a postage stamp. I CAN do one on my PDA but many times because of complex floor plans, I have to draw them convential and then transfer to Apex. TIME is money.

BUT the BEST software is the one YOU like.

Good Luck, arkie ed.


So are raving about the update.

 

[Michael Elliott]

In the past, I have used ACI and SFREP (appraise-it). Currently use alamode. I thought (and still do) that SFREP had a easier to use forms engine. However, alamode appears to have the "lock" on better sketching and EDI functions, as well as having the whole package "integrated" better. A standard service agreement with them is very worth it. The higher-priced ones aren't - in my opinion.

Sure, you can call with a problem at 9pm on a Saturday, but the guy left in the building is usually not a senior tech and usually only willing to help you if you've had a major catastrophe (computer down, etc). Otherwise it's a "we'll log this and call you on Monday" (when I have 3 appointments and 6 appraisals to finish).

Also - be very careful what their sales department tells you about some of the "add on" items they offer - many of them do not appear to actually understand these extra products and will tell you "yes it sure will" to just about any question as long as you buy.

To their credit, they do have a 100-day guarantee on almost everything. The help files are better than most, and with a bit of reading even a novice can usually get around. Realize their software is big and complex (because it does alot of things) so it will seem a bit more "scary" to the novice user than some products like bradford that just simply open right into a URAR.

-Michael

 

[Justin Czerniak]

I spent the money and purchased wintotal at like $900-$1000. I was using it for a year and then I have to pay $300 for a low end service contract to get maps and flood info online.

I ended up getting ACI for like $200 via a company I do some contract work with, but now I pay nothing for the maps etc..
I also now have access to 71a and 71b and the uciar forms. ACI is a bit buggy but I can do some things I can not do with the wintotal product.

However I started on wintotal and it has some cool features, I just do not want to pay every year for a software I already purchased.

just my thought.

 

[Justin Czerniak]

Oops..... I should also add that the pocket total was not free when I cheked into it.
It was an additional charge.

I would reccomend checking that before you purchase.

 

[margaret nelson-quin]

I am working with two appraisers -one uses WinTotal the other ACI. I'm a high end computer user and am bugged by the bugs in ACI. I like the integration of tracking and EDI in WinTotal, but think that ACI has a great handle on the "overall picture" namely easily accessibly thumbs and review master integrated into the report pack. I like How ACI lets you grab bits and pieces from other files. So far WinTotal can convert ACI, but ACI cannot convert WinTotal files. My observations thus far.