Tablet: Convertible vs. Slate

[Anthem]

Randall- (and Mr. Rex / TC / Preston / Etc...)

Can you use Apex Medina v4.1 on the tablet along with the desktop version of ACI? Having digital "notes" of the subject data wouldn't be that helpful to me. I would rather use my Pocket PC for field notes. What is the most simple, all inclusive, setup for efficiency using Apex and ACI?

I don't use ACI or Medina, till I got the tablet I used the APEX V.3 and WinTOTAL on my tower pc.

Now I have a full version of WinTOTAL in my Tablet which has the new free Davinci Sketcher intregrated. I am able to hand draw my sketch then go right back to the form and do the entire report if I want. Also I can take notes that go into my workfile (handwritten). Mind you Alamode is working on Davinci Mobile Pro which will have the sketch and a data gathering tool that integrates directly into WinTOTAL. For now the Davinci Sketcher is released and fully functional with WinTOTAL on a tablet or a desktop.

Saving me lots of time reentering data.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Ric:

Yes, you can use Apex Medina and your ACI program(s) on a regular Tablet PC. Both being programs designed for a desktop, neither will take full advantage of the Tablet PC's inking capability, but it sounds like that is not important to you at this time anyway. Remember, a Tablet PC runs either the Tablet version of Windows XP or Vista. Actually, some versions of Vista are just Tablet enabled. Vista is the first OS to make Tablet stuff part of the OS vs. it being an "add-on." Anyway, since you are running "real Windows", all of your other programs will run the same. Those written to be real Tablet PC programs can simply take advantage of the inking capabilities. If you get a Tablet PC, I strongly suggest getting it with OneNote pre-installed. I think it is generally a whopping $20, so it is an easy pill to swallow and it'll let you have a really nifty digital scribble pad (plus more - way more.)

Anyway, the simplest thing to do is to get a decent Tablet PC and load your regular software on it. If you want to continue to use your PPC just as you are now, that will work just fine. If you like using the PPC for your field notes and are enjoying the PPC application you have now, I would recommend adding MobileSketch to your PPC tool set. If you have an even remotely recent version of Apex, you can transfer the field sketch to your desktop version very easily. Just launch Apex like you normally do from within ACI, then choose File|Import and select to read the PPC. Select the file and it'll import it to the current sketch. Dress it up if desired and then save/exit as normal.

You will likely find that as time goes on, you use the Tablet for more and more of your data collection during inspection. By taking a "staged" approach vs. a major change in hardware & software, you can move to Nexus if/when the time is right for you - when it makes sense.

Hope this helps answer your specific questions...

 

[Anthem]

Sounds like there is not an easy way to use ACI via a tablet.

The whole idea (at least for me) is to save time with the Tablet. With WinTOTAL I have three options, or should I say I will have 3 options. None of which require having to move more than one file, that one file is the appraisal file ( which includes any field notes, handwritten or snapped to text your choice- both of which are not visible to the client unless you want them to be) that can be easily synced with your main machine. No importing sketches or notes etc. The same file on the Tablet as the Tower. Having to convert files, or gather separate files etc seems to be defeating the purpose to me.

I can do anything on my tablet that I can do on my Tower, I can do anything on my tablet that I can on a Clipboard.

I have actually been playing with this for several months but on a unit that was not visible out doors.

At the end of the day the only new gadgets and are software that appeal to me or ones that SAVE ME TIME. That is exactly why I have never used a PPC, I don't want more equipment I want less and for me the PPC couldn't replace my clipboard without it taking me more time... just my 0.02

 

[Randall Garrett]

Preston:

I understand your point, but I was trying to answer Ric's specific question, not do a commercial for WinTOTAL, which he does not use... ACI will run just fine on a Tablet, just as WinTOTAL does, but neither are true Tablet PC applications (yet?) I fully understand the concept behind the product(s) you are using - I introduced those concepts years ago. Where do you think they got the idea? ;-)

Anyway, congratulations on your success with a Tablet! I believe that more and more appraisers will be moving to Tablets as a way to increase efficiency and I am pleased to see other software companies starting to pay attention to mobility issues.

...

 

[Anthem]

Preston:

I understand your point, but I was trying to answer Ric's specific question, not do a commercial for WinTOTAL, which he does not use... ACI will run just fine on a Tablet, just as WinTOTAL does, but neither are true Tablet PC applications (yet?) I fully understand the concept behind the product(s) you are using - I introduced those concepts years ago. Where do you think they got the idea? ;-)

Anyway, congratulations on your success with a Tablet! I believe that more and more appraisers will be moving to Tablets as a way to increase efficiency and I am pleased to see other software companies starting to pay attention to mobility issues.

...

I wasn't trying to take away from your post ... just offer my perspective. And for the record I appreciate your posts/comments ... I have often benefited from them.

He is obviously an ACI user looking for an easier way, that is not offered to him.

Not sure how you can say WinTOTAL is not a true Tablet PC application yet?
I would have to disagree with you on that:
Aurora and the new free Davinci Sketcher work great on a Tablet PC, It could easily replace my Tower. I can draw the sketch with the tablet pen or use the keyboard functions, pull maps, fill out the form , sign it and send it etc etc etc.

I have the same install of WinTOTAL on both my tablet and my tower the only difference is I am able to draw with the pen to do my sketch in WinTOTAL.

How is that not a true Tablet PC application? And who else currently offers an all in one solution like that?

 

[Randall Garrett]

Preston:

I appreciate your comments and I am glad some of my posts have been beneficial to you, and hopefully others. That is why I do it... Still, I believe (and this is just MY take on this) that he was wanting to know if Apex Medina and his existing ACI program would run on any of the Tablets he is considering.

We'll just have to disagree on the notion that WinTOTAL is a true Tablet PC program. I'm not sure the readership really cares at this point. It may just boil down to semantics as far as the average Joe is concerned, anyway... As a developer, I just look at things differently, but really - if you like the way WT works on a Tablet PC, that is great, and isn't that what matters most to you?

To my knowledge, here in the US nobody else currently offers an all-in-one solution for appraisers that is similar to what you are using and enjoying. Obviously, they COULD - if they wanted to - but I'm not so sure that most of them understand or are willing to commit the resources for such a (currently) small market. As a mobile enthusiast, I am biased and think that others should jump on the mobile "bandwagon." I further believe that users like you, who have embraced mobile technology, will have and maintain a competitive edge...

...

 

[Anthem]

Preston:

I

We'll just have to disagree on the notion that WinTOTAL is a true Tablet PC program. I'm not sure the readership really cares at this point. It may just boil down to semantics as far as the average Joe is concerned, anyway... As a developer, I just look at things differently, but really - if you like the way WT works on a Tablet PC, that is great, and isn't that what matters most to you?
...

I was really hoping you would point out what WinTOTAL doesn't do on a Tablet.

For me the entire idea of using a tablet is to get rid of the clipboard and everything that goes with it .... that is re entering data taken from drawings and notes.

Many of the current tablet appraiser options require you to move, convert or transfer data/files to the report ... doesn't that defeat the purpose?

I think this is going to be similar to the Disto, it will take a while for folks to catch on ... so far other appraisers that have seen me demonstrate it have already ordered a Tablet .. it was similar for me, giving up the tape completely required me to see someone succesfully use a disto .. the light went on !

The Tablet/Slate type PC is the wave of the future and the hardware developers have figured that out.

 

[BlueDog007]

Preston and Randall-

It sounds as if ACI will work just like WinTotal in the field also. Please correct me if I am wrong. Randall, a reply to Preston's post would be appreciated. As always, your posts are extremly beneficial to me and this forum! I certainly appreciate your time and efforts.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Preston:

I believe you miss my point(s) - probably my poor command of the English language at work, LOL. I really am, though, trying to keep from getting into a technical discussion/debate with you on this. I'm trying to point out that if you like it, isn't THAT what matters?

...

 

[BlueDog007]

I was told by ACI this afternoon that their desktop version works fine on a tablet, and is just like working at the office. They told me I needed to upgrade to either Apex Medina, Nexxus, or version 3. Any comments Randall?