Wintotal Updates

[John Wilson]

Just received an e-mail explaining the new Wintotal Updates. They have been advertising this quite a bit, but one thing they never mentioned ( as far as I can recall ) is this portion:

"In order to accommodate this large change in the software, it was necessary to change or add field names and restructure some of the core transfer code within WinTOTAL, which is why two appraisers on different updates will not be able to successfully deliver complete appraisal reports to each other."

This could have a huge impact on appraisers who receive *.zap files from others appraisers using older versions of Wintotal. I know plenty of appraisers who don't purchase upgrade contracts because they feel the product is functional enough as it is. I guess their *.zap files will be useless to me until they fork over more cash to Alamode. Or, I just don't get the upgrade????

I guess this is one way for Alamode to force users in to upgrade contracts.

Well played! <_<

 

[larryhaskell]

John:

I would be the first person to tell you that I'm likely the last person to defend Alamode because I do believe they do certain things to get us to spend $$$. Your theory may well be right on track. However, they are in business to make $$$ and I did switch from ACI several years ago and glad I did. I want them to make money. It seems to me though that all software can be improved over time. I upgrade my Zone Alarm, Norton Antivirus and others on a regular basis. This seems normal to me. Part of these upgrades from Alamode are for the new or updated forms for HUD, Fannie Mae, etc. Having Alamode assisting in keeping me current on forms and continuously tweeking their software is well worth my annual fee. That doesn't even count the two or three times a year Tech Support helps me with a software problem. I can't imagine how appraisers could possibly expect to stay current with the evolving technology without upgrading.

 

[John Wilson]

Originally posted by larryhaskell@Jul 30 2003, 10:21 AM
However, they are in business to make $$$ and I did switch from ACI several years ago and glad I did.

I'm all for making money, and like you, I pay plenty in annual upgrades for all kinds of software.

But to have an upgrade that could affect my income stream is another story. I have informed everyone that sends me files to make sure they get the upgrade.

I'm just concerned that there are a lot of "what if's" that go along with this upgrade regarding shops that receive a lot of *.zap file through EDI.

One of my concerns regards completed files I receive today. I have "old" *.zap files that I need to review over the next few days that were sent to me yesterday and today. Now I can't upgrade until they have been reviewed and completed, right?. In the meantime I'm going to have appraisers in the field sending me *.zap files in the new format before I can upgrade. I guess I need to tell everyone to put the EDI files on hold until we are all upgraded at exactly the same time. This takes away my time and money. So that's my main beef.

And what about files in my own requester that have the grids filled out? Do I need to get those all completed before I do the upgrade? Those would be in the old format so won't the upgrade screw them up?

Maybe I'm just over reacting????

 

[Mike Unser]

It's important to point out that our annual memberships include more than just updates to WinTOTAL. (Although, our customers have proven to be savvier and want to move with us in improvements. They appreciate the fact that they can count on us and that we're not just sitting.) Our membership services include up to 24x7 tech support, any new or updated forms, up to ten EDI mailboxes, access to our location maps, access to flood and census data, discounts, and free entrance to our seminars.

John, our only real choice was either posting the improvements now or waiting to release them in the next version of WinTOTAL. True, people are more inclined to understand "format" updates in new software versions. But we've been working on these changes for almost 5 months now and holding them off for a new version many months down the road just wasn't a good idea.

Plus, the automation and speed in our Instant Customer Update system has changed things too in recent years. What used to take months to get customers on the same update now takes days. Given history, we'll have about half or a little over 20,000 customers on our latest update by Monday. And nearly all the rest of our customers will have them by a week from today. So, it made the case even stronger not to hold our changes until a new WinTOTAL version. (It would actually take longer to deliver CD's for a new version then using our ICU system to release our latest updates.)

Naturally I'd argue that our software and the way we always add improvements and new forms speaks for itself. We do that to make our current customers more productive and happy and to bring in new customers. That's where we get our $$$. Many of our updates contain as much or more than what our competitors release in new versions, which they charge extra for. We don't. But by continuing to update WinTOTAL and having a dedicated development staff just for it, we ensure it stays on the leading-edge. It doesn't get "forgotten about" for months/years. Other software companies are marketing driven and only begin working on improvements when it's time for that "new version" promotion. Their software just kind of sits there for long periods of time with nothing really being done on them. I don’t think you want that.

Mike Unser
Product Line Manager
a la mode, inc.

 

[John Wilson]

Originally posted by Mike Unser@Jul 30 2003, 01:24 PM
Naturally I'd argue that our software and the way we always add improvements and new forms speaks for itself.

Agreed, that's one reason I use your product.

Let me ask this and I'll be on my way.

Will this update have any effect on the current "incomplete" files within the requester?

I've got about 18 "Incomplete" files that have info in the comp grids. Am I going to lose that information if I get the update before completing them?

Thanks

 

[Mike Unser]

Will this update have any effect on the current "incomplete" files within the requester?

I've got about 18 "Incomplete" files that have info in the comp grids. Am I going to lose that information if I get the update before completing them?

John, we should have been clearer about this and addressed it in our newsletter. Thanks for bringing it up.

Files created previous to having WinTOTAL update #96 will automatically be updated, if necessary, when they’re opened. You just can't go the other way – expect to open all WinTOTAL reports created on update #96 or later on a computer that's not at least on update #96.

Mike Unser
Product Line Manager
a la mode, inc.

 

[John Wilson]

Mike,

Sounds good.............

Thanks

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

I have a little trouble understanding peoples complaints about their appraisal software and their costs. What would you believe is the single most used, most important and most critical aspect of completing an appraisal? The appraisal software. If you don't like the cost or the product there are plenty of other options out there. It is your decision, nobody twists your arm. An appraiser will spend thousands upon thousands for a "cool" vehicle, but what is more important the "cool" vehicle or the appraisal software you use? It is a business expense, you have the right to choose whatever provider you want and you have the right to be dis-satisfied with your decision, but is it any of the software provider's fault that you don't like their product?

In this case, Alamode is making large updates upon customer requests to improve their product. I don't it is too much to require that everybody download the updates for the software to be compatible. It takes time and research to make these changes and sometimes it would be easier to start from scratch, but you can not do that when you have too many customers already using the product.

Look at the ACI forum section. They are still waiting for the 1004C. I have been using it for a month. I downloaded the new VC sheet today. When will they have it? Alamode is the best, but they are not perfect. I will take effort over implied perfection anyday.

 

[Rich Hahn]

Tim from Texas said...


"I have a little trouble understanding peoples complaints about their appraisal software and their costs. What would you believe is the single most used, most important and most critical aspect of completing an appraisal? The appraisal software. If you don't like the cost or the product there are plenty of other options out there. It is your decision, nobody twists your arm. An appraiser will spend thousands upon thousands for a "cool" vehicle, but what is more important the "cool" vehicle or the appraisal software you use? It is a business expense, you have the right to choose whatever provider you want and you have the right to be dis-satisfied with your decision, but is it any of the software provider's fault that you don't like their product?

In this case, Alamode is making large updates upon customer requests to improve their product. I don't it is too much to require that everybody download the updates for the software to be compatible. It takes time and research to make these changes and sometimes it would be easier to start from scratch, but you can not do that when you have too many customers already using the product.

Look at the ACI forum section. They are still waiting for the 1004C. I have been using it for a month. I downloaded the new VC sheet today. When will they have it? Alamode is the best, but they are not perfect. I will take effort over implied perfection anyday."

All this from an appraiser using a $45 camera from eBay??
Come on man smell the coffee!


Tim also said..
"I have been using the Kodak DC3200 for two years now. I works great and has regular camera size and weight. It uses the flash card and SanDisk through USB. I have two flash cards. That way I always have one in the camera and one in the SanDisk so there is no forgetting to re-load the flash card. The DC 3200 does not have anything over 2X zoom, but it does have a flash. I use energizer lithium AA batteries that last five times as long as regular batteries. I had a hornet hit me on the elbow last year and my reaction was to swing my arm away and I ended up tossing my camera about 50 feet. The camera survived, but the battery compartment had to be taped shut. I looked on e-bay and bought the same camera for $45. My kids now use the one with the tape holding the batteries inside. "

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Rich, if that is your real name, I did not buy the first one for $45, but when I saw the same camera for so cheap I decided it was worth it. I don't go hunting for the cheapest items, but I do relay the message when I see something cheaper. I bought the Disto, for full price at AppraiserDepot, but you could get it cheaper elsewhere (now Matt matches their price). I did not say the DC 3200 was the be all/end all for cameras, I said it was functional for this business. A slacker would be looking for the cheapest software, the cheapest computer,etc. I have and use Alamode, a pentium 4 with wireless cable modem, a Disto, a 17 inch flat panel monitor. So, the fact that my camera was so cheap only has to do with fact that I wanted simple, regular size/weight, point and shoot camera just like the one that had a damaged battery compartment. I am sure when this camera gives out I will be upgrading. Thanks for your concern. I know that a ultimately busy, qualified appraiser such as yourself, who is not even on the national registry with all your experience, never wants to impune or irritate any of the other posters on this forum.