Made the switch from ACI, and.

[JL1313]

ACI is STILL managing to **** me off.

First off, I made the switch to another software provider a couple months ago, and am extremely happy. Wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

ACI makes it difficult to convert your files (yes, the files you own) to competing software to use as templates. The workaround is to save said file to XML format, then open in other software.

My ACI support/eServices expired today, and I no longer can convert my old ACI files to XML. I'm not understanding this. These are MY files, shouldn't I be able to convert them as I please and save them locally on my computer? I contacted customer support, and they told me a current eServices subscription is required to do this. When I asked the (rude) customer service associate to explain the reasoning behind this, she informed me, "That's just how the program is set up." She told me this twice. After that, I gave up. It just reiterated the great choice I made switching software.

Am I completely wrong here? Shouldn't the files be your property to do with what you wish? I'm not wanting to get updates for ACI, send anything through ACI, or use ACI in any fashion other than to access my old reports, and convert them as I see fit. m2:

 

[Michael Willis]

I have been using ACI for the last 4 years. Before that I used WinTotal. I liked aspects of both but I have been keeping my options open for another software provider.

With that said understand your frustration with ACI. I had many issues with them including the whole pay per location/flood map etc. that they stick you with. I agree you should be able to use your files as you please. But is it possible that the reason you can't easily convert your ACI files into your new software because they just use two completely different platforms that just aren't compatible? I don't know if its ACI's responsibility to make the ACI files compatible with your new software. You can always save/print your ACI files to PDF so that you can always access them that way or via XML. I just don't see how it can easily transition to work for another software platform. But then again I am not that tech savvy so I am not sure one way or another. I remember when I switched from Wintotal to ACI I had to completely redo all my templates and there was a bit of a learning curve.

 

[JL1313]

I see your point, however essentially it's the same form with information entered into it. I've heard from numerous people that ACI intentionally makes it difficult to transfer to other software. I've tried transferring a report I completed in my new software over to ACI and it was simple.

That is not what is irritating me though. It's the fact that I can no longer convert my ACI files to XML without paying them for a eServices subscription. That just seems unreal to me.

 

[Michael Willis]

I see your point, however essentially it's the same form with information entered into it. I've heard from numerous people that ACI intentionally makes it difficult to transfer to other software. I've tried transferring a report I completed in my new software over to ACI and it was simple.

That is not what is irritating me though. It's the fact that I can no longer convert my ACI files to XML without paying them for a eServices subscription. That just seems unreal to me.

I hear you on that. That is probably my biggest gripe with ACI, they charge you for everything you do. Unfortunately, converting files to XML is part of their eServices package which they charge for. I normally save every report I complete to PDF and XML and save it on my hard drive.

 

[TRESinc]

ACI makes it difficult to convert your files (yes, the files you own) to competing software to use as templates. The workaround is to save said file to XML format, then open in other software.

the grass isn't always greener. alamode makes your quoted text impossible. all files are saved in a proprietary format and cannot be converted to a competitor's software.

i'm not sure about your xml workaround but i guess, based on your posts, it works. to be honest ACI was the only software provider who had any sort of workaround for getting my reports converted (i was an alm user shopping around). apparently they could somehow scan a pdf of the alm report and import the data.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

the grass isn't always greener. alamode makes your quoted text impossible. all files are saved in a proprietary format and cannot be converted to a competitor's software.

i'm not sure about your xml workaround but i guess, based on your posts, it works. to be honest ACI was the only software provider who had any sort of workaround for getting my reports converted (i was an alm user shopping around). apparently they could somehow scan a pdf of the alm report and import the data.

Not quite true. HotSpot will convert a pdf to ACI format.

 

[TRESinc]

Not quite true. HotSpot will convert a pdf to ACI format.

that's what i said - ACI has a way to convert (data mine) a pdf to their format. nothing will convert the .zap files though.

 

[Fargo1]

It was because ACI required eServices to create an xml file that I dropped ACI 2 years ago. The other issue is you can't just buy eServices. First you have to buy a $350 service contract, then you can purchase the $200 eservices. Its ridiculous. Thats why I left. Otherwise, I really liked ACI. But now I am very happy with NCVForms. There are some small bugs and annoyances that still need to be worked out. But its a good basic software package.