Mike,
I think what David is referring to is that alamode used to have 3 different versions of WinTotal (not to be confused with their three different service contract packages) - they were Standard, Professional and Enterprise.
Now, they no longer offer the "Standard" version - only Professional and Enterprise. The standard version was nearly useless for anyone seriously wanting to do business in today's world anyway - it had no digital photo capability, (I think) no mapping, of course no flood/census, etc. and also no sketching. All these items were locked out unless you bought Pro or Enterprise.
Basically, you could track your files and fill out forms as long as you still wanted to use a film camera and do most things manually. It was a formfiller and that's it. Back in the day, it probably made sense as an introductory product. I know several commercial appraisers that kept a copy around just for the occasional time they would need to fill out a form like the HUD form for apartments, etc.
But it really makes little sense these days. As for the current prices - you get what you pay for. $700 is really a good deal for what it does. If you really have to have cheap software, try someone like Homeputer or SFREP (Appraise-It). There is even a guy on this forum that wrote his own forms software in Excel. But, my theory is that if you're going to seriously do business, then seriously do business. Back when I was starting out, it nearly broke me to buy a copy of Standard. But between software, computer and car, those are your primary business tools. Why save $400 on something that will be your primary means of earning income? That's an appraisal and a half.
FYI - alamode is currently running a special until 7/31 for $100 off all items of $200 or more. This might help you some.
-Michael Elliott
michael@michael.net