Above AI lookup this morning confirmed the UAD 3.6 dynamic format can not be cloned ( or merged) into or from a template. That was my point - I used the verbiage cloud-based, which was not technically correct, but my point was that each report starts new ( similar to cloud-based/web-based) . Alamdode said there is some kind of workaround possible (I imagine they are frantically working on it). I don't know what mystery provider offers a solution, but I doubt they can, when the largest, most tech-advanced appraisal form and software company owned by deep-pocket founder CoreLogic can not achieve it.
I used the word cloud incorrectly, but my point was that starting each order from scratch is a burden that will add significant time to reports. I imagine this is why ALAMODE, the most deep pocket and advanced sofware commpany needs more time for their rollout - they are trying to come up with a workable solution.
I assume data mill companies like True Footage will try to beat out the competition by a solution of autopopulating fields from their data or system, and are hiring staff who they will train in that manner. Which imo removes us further from appraising and into AVM let the software do it territory. Imo, an "appraiser" who never saw the subject property (if a PDC collector went out or if it is a desktop) and merely checks what the software did and if they agreed with the auto-populated data and adjustments is not appraising. Anyone can sit at a desk and look at photos or be monkey trained with a checklist to review auto-populated data, which I suppose is the point ( at taht point replacing the appraiser with an "analyst" - non-appraiser) .
What makes an appraiser have a valuable added skill set is the accumulated experience from time spent out in the field learning firsthand about the market and areas, talking to participants while at properties, seeing property qualities and defects firsthand, and not just looking at a photo. It involves working through analyzing the data, not just reviewing an autopopulated field of data.
(Note- the AI overview I looked up had a lot more technical information about why a report can not be cloned, but it was too long to save in the post. A asked AI why the new UAD 3.6 format can not be cloned and it answered.