Appraisal Scoop

Video: Apex Medina v4 Update Announced - Free update is loaded with NEW features!

I have to admit that I was a little "under-whelmed" by the initial release of Apex Medina.  I actually caught a lot of flack from appraisers on email forums as I tried to drill down to the key features that set Medina apart from its desktop sketching predecessor V3. Turns out, maybe Randall Garrett, CEO of Apex might have felt the same way?

In an email, Mr. Garrett says:

"Tomorrow, we should begin releasing the long-awaited update to Apex v4.0 “Medina.”  For the record, I was not really happy with v4.0 – too much fluff, not enough content.  The first thing I did was to strip out all the crud which was needlessly bloating up the core code.  Next, we started optimizing the core wherever we could get the most bang for the effort.  Once I was satisfied that the core was where it needed to be, we started fixing bugs, enhancing old features and adding new ones."

It looks like Apex is on schedule to release v4.1 this week and this update should be a HUGE one.

Randy says that "Most people would feel that it is worthy of being labeled an upgrade vs. a “point release” update.  Even so, I felt that I owed you folks “the real deal” and still keep it labeled so that it would be an update.  That is, v4.0 users get it for free… "

Apex's Robert Smoote, VP Product Development for Apex has put together a fantastic video.  Here is a link to a preliminary “teaser” video he put up: http://www.apexwin.com/v5/whats_new_apex_41.php 

The new version has so much in it, though, that even his quick video doesn’t show everything I feel is important.  Apex will continue to produce videos this week and next so you can get an idea of what they've done. 

Randy says, "We’ll start with “feature overview” types but I want to transition quickly into more “How to..” videos so you can get the most out of the product.  I still have more to do and within the next two weeks, we should turn on the auto-updater so you’ll once again start getting notices when we’ve enhanced things or added stuff automatically." 

I've watched the video and put together a "short-list" of features that really caught my attention!

Click here for my list . . .

Webinars: Paperless Office / Field Data Collection

a la mode, inc. has turned two of their most popular courses from the 2007 Vegas Convention into webinars that you can attend on-line, right from your home or office. 

They're even waving their typical $29.00 registration fee for non-customers!  What's better than FREE?!

I'll be hosting the first of the two webinars:

Pulp Fiction – Is the “Paperless Office” a myth?* aka - "Papercuts, do they HAVE to hurt?

Appraisal offices may never get rid of paper entirely - but minimizing its use can help appraisers cut costs and increase office efficiency.   

This class will help you:

• Understand the real costs of paper;
• How to create a paperless “mind set”, and
• How to get your paperless office STARTED!   

This 1-hour class is NOT just for WinTOTAL users.  I'll be covering lots of free tools and services, available from the Internet, to assist you in creating a paperless environment.  We'll be working LIVE to demonstrate a paperless workflow from receiving an assignment through creating an electronic workfile.   

DATE	CLASS	COST
August 16	Going Paperless with Brian Davis	FREE!	Click here to sign-up
August 21	Field Data Collection Techniques with Leland Hill	FREE!	Click here to sign-up

Don’t miss these FREE Real World series webinars, hosted by working appraisers.

Author: Brian J. Davis, RAA - Brian Davis & Associates - Brian has over 23 years of appraisal experience in Central, IL and hosts the Appraisal Scoop blog and the WinTOTAL Users Group an email forum for appraisers.

Geek's Corner: Get Your Mojo Working with MojoPac - Transform your iPod into a portable PC

I discussed on-line backup systems for appraisers a few days ago on Appraisal Scoop.  At that time the Webopedia encyclopedia definition of backup was quoted:

(v.) To copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape)  as a precaution in case the first medium fails.

While disks and tapes are usually the first things that come to mind in terms of backups, there are other media that might also be useful.   Many of our digital devices today are capable of storing large amount of data.   For example, our digital cameras have memory cards capable of storing up to 16 GD of data and USB flash drives (thumb drives) have similar capacity - 16GB of data.

But what if I told you there's storage device, that many real estate professionals are already carrying that has even MORE capacity and functionality than those cards and drives?    What's THAT you ask? . . . .Your iPod!

That's right . . . Now there's technology that can transform your iPod, USB Hard Drive or Flash drive into a portable and private PC.  MojoPac    Just install MojoPac on any USB 2.0 compliant storage device, upload your applications and files, modify your user settings and environment preferences, and take it with you.

Every time you plug your MojoPac-enabled device into any Windows XP PC , MojoPac automatically launches your environment on the host PC. Your communication, appraisal , spreadsheet and presentation applications & files are all local and accessible. And when you unplug the MojoPac device, no trace is left behind – your information is not cached on the host PC.

MojoPac allows you to carry applications and files from your office to your home or tradeshow ALL on a device that can fit in your pocket.  Imagine being able to access your personal versions of Quicken, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Yahoo Messenger by plugging in your iPod or Flash Drive to any PC anywhere in the world.  MojoPac also allows you to keep your home life and your work life separate, but enables you to access both at the same time.  How cool is that?!

Here are some of the MojoPac Compatible Devices:

• iPods
• USB Hard Drives
• USB Flash Drives
• Cell Phones

But is MojoPac secure? 

According to their web site, MojoPac provides several layers of security and isolation to protect the MojoPac user.

• When you connect to a Host PC, MojoPac provides a layer of isolation against viruses from the Host PC, so your MojoPac device is protected.
• MojoPac creates a private environment, so none of your application data and settings, including your browsing and multimedia player history is stored on the Host PC. What happens on MojoPac stays on MojoPac.
• MojoPac is password protected - if you lose your device, no one else can access your applications.
• In addition, data encryption is supported within MojoPac either by add-on encryption software or by using a USB storage device that directly encrypts the data stored on the device. Some USB storage devices even have built-in finger print readers for added security. We recommend using data encryption with every portable storage device.

See a Demo or Download a trial

Related Articles:

• Product comparison: MojoPac vs Ceedo - Good screen shots.
• USB Flash Drive step-by-step install
• MojoPac Review

DaVinci, a Revolutionary Field Data Gathering and Sketching Application For Appraisers Debuts At a la mode Convention

I just got back from Las Vegas last night, where a la mode labs introduced its first prototype - field inspection management software application this week.  Convention attendees saw DaVinci in action for the first time at the a la mode labs booth in the event's exhibit hall at a la mode annual convention.

ALL of the attendees were given a CD with the new prototype application to take home and try.  For those that could not attend, you can download and try DaVinci out for free at http://www.alamode.com/labs.

I'll post the official news release below, but it's important to note a few things!

This is prototype software!  There's no tech support for this!  If you get errors or something doesn't appear to work correctly, or if you just have some feedback and suggestions, please send an email directly to labs@alamode.com.  Their labs team can then read and respond to the message.

The build that's available for download at www.alamode.com/labs is just a prototype and is not final software. It hasn't been through a QA (Quality Assurance) cycle nor has a beta test cycle been completed on it. They hope you'll install it, try it out and send them your feedback. A la mode will then use that feedback as they continue to fix, refine and improve the product.

This is the FIRST TIME, that I've ever seen an appraisal software company let appraisers in on the development process this early on!

According to Chris Low, Product Management, a la mode, inc.

"They haven't set pricing for this product yet, since we're still in the development phases. But we plan to offer it for download at no charge for limited time. So go get it, install it, and have fun with it. In the near future (as soon as we get home from the convention), I'll have more information on documentation, online classes about DaVinci, and tips and tricks. Please stay tuned."

Click below for the complete news release from a la mode:

Geek's Corner: Gates Previews Server for Home Users

Dan Costa (PC Magazine's senior editor, consumer electronics) reports that Bill Gates demoed a new server designed specifically for home users at his keynote address on Sunday.

Dubbed Windows Home Server, the software is designed to make it easy for consumers with no technical expertise to set up a home server and use it for file sharing, for backup, and as an always-on library of media—and I say hallelujah, if it really is easy!

Microsoft will be partnering with a variety of hardware vendors to offer the server appliance through retail channels. Devices should be available by mid-2007.  Read Dan’s report.

Organize Your Appraisal Office Desk in 10 Simple Steps!

I posted this article back in September, but I think this is a good time to "re-post" it?  This is the time of year when most appraisers have a seasonal slow-down and begin to make New Year's Resolutions!  Besides losing weight, at the top of my list EVERY YEAR is to Get Organized!

This post is a good starting point but I'll be adding some more thoughts after the first of the year.  I welcome YOUR thoughts!  If you have a favorite organizational tool or tip, be sure to add your "comments" to any of the blog posts in this series.

In my earlier blog post "The Paperless Appraisal Office - A Small Firm's Approach - Dual Monitors" I said:

The appraisal desk at the World HQ of Brian J. Davis and Associates includes a 4-in-1 printer-scanner, a framed picture of my wife, a MINI, two flat-panel computer monitors, a VoIP phone, and my PDA/UMPC. Conspicuously missing from my appraisal office desk are papers. Not there!"

In a later blog post, I itemized my Ten Steps For Getting Started!  But after reading an article by Maria Gracia, author of Finally Organized, Finally Free I got to thinking that there's an even more BASIC step that needs to be taken. Decluttering the workspace!

First we need to get our desk organized! 

When was the last time you saw your desk? If it has been awhile, TODAY is the perfect day to find it under those towering, paper mountains.

Read on . . . .

The appraisal desk at the World HQ of Brian J. Davis and Associates includes a 4-in-1 printer-scanner, a framed picture of my wife, a MINI, two flat-panel computer monitors, a VoIP phone, and my PDA/UMPC. Conspicuously missing from my appraisal office desk are papers. Not there!"

In a later blog post, I itemized my Ten Steps For Getting Started!  But after reading an article by Maria Gracia, author of Finally Organized, Finally Free I got to thinking that there's an even more BASIC step that needs to be taken. Decluttering the workspace!

First we need to get our desk organized! 

When was the last time you saw your desk? If it has been awhile, TODAY is the perfect day to find it under those towering, paper mountains.

Read on . . . .

UMPC Desktop and Mobile Solutions - You've Got To Accessorize!

If you click on the Tablet PC / UMPC category in the Appraisal Scoop blog you'll find many of my experiences with the  tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110.   They include both software and hardware installation topics as I continue integrating a ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection work flow.

My eo model is the v7110 with a 1.0Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB HDD, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and MS Windows XP Tablet Edition.  GOSH!  Doesn't that sound like it's got everything a "Mobile Appraiser" could ask for?!  No so "UMPC-Breath"!  I quickly discovered that I needed a few more things to get productive.  So I ordered what I considered to be MY . . .

MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES . . .

• USB to Ethernet Adapter (for when you don't have WiFi access)
• WriteShield Screen Protector  (better safe than sorry)
• Automobile Charger (the standard battery runs down quickly)
• Bump case (the eo has a rather slippery finish and no "grip")
• USB / Bluetooth Keyboard
• USB Memory Card w/ Adapter or Thumbdrive
• 6-Battery "extended" battery

My plan was to blog about each of these devices as they arrived but I'm finding that the REAL experts in UMPC technology have the same idea and are doing a much better job of showing. . .

How To Accessorize Your UMPC!  Read on . . .

Electronic Signature Security On Appraisals - ApproveIt® Desktop

In my previous blog post "Digital Security on Appraisals - Fighting Fraud" I looked at two different appraisal security solutions.  Appraisal Matrix, LLC sells a digital barcode software package that is able to barcode / encrypt individual appraisals.  a la mode, inc's answer to document security (currently available for mortgage professionals) is SureDocs. Click here to see how it works.

Both of those options seem rather involved to me?  I thought there might be something else available that would fill the bill for appraisers.  What I found was ApproveIt® Desktop, Silanis’ electronic signature software developed for commonly used desktop document formats.

ApproveIt Desktop is designed for offline signing processes and internal, ad-hoc operational applications. Supported applications include Microsoft Word®, Excel®, Adobe PDF™, Adobe eForms and IBM Workplace Forms™.

I downloaded their full working copy demonstration software to give it a spin. Read on . . .

Mobile Appraiser Technology - UMPC Part Four - "Pulling It All Together"

For years appraisers have been searching for the perfect combination of hardware and software to make their "Field Data Collection" more efficient.  You've tried a Windows CE HPC (clamshell) device, moved on to a Pocket PC, a laptop, and may now be considering a Tablet PC or Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC).  You've probably also got a long history of trial-and-error experiences with data collection and sketching software!

As I talk with appraisers that have used data collection devices in the field, I hear the the full spectrum of experiences.    Some have been very successful in incorporating mobile technology into their work flow while others have had false-start after false-start. 

I believe that the reason that we have not seen mobile technology become part of the "Appraiser's DNA" is that we haven't achieved that sweet spot blend of hardware and software.  That point where appraisers adopt mobile data collection devices in large numbers (like we saw with digital photography). 

What I'm discovering is that mobile appraisers that have successfully adopted the Pocket PC technology are somewhat reluctant to switch platforms, and I can understand that.  After all, the PDA's BIG advantage is that it's SMALL!   It also has data collection software designed specifically for it, that integrates back into the desktop appraisal form filling software.  That's a great combination of hardware and software for an appraiser!

On the other hand, newer UMPCs run Windows XP for Tablets, have larger screens (for sketching), and are capable of using full "desktop" style programs that we're used to.

What if I told you that you could have the BEST of BOTH worlds?   Read on . . .

Mobile Appraiser Technology - Ultra Mobile PC Part Three - "Keeping In Synch"

In my earlier posts "UMPC "First Impressions" and "Getting it set up" I discussed my initial impressions about the tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 and some software installation topics as I began integrating a ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection work flow.

Now that I've got my tablet PC connected to the Internet and to my office peer-to-peer network via WiFi, I'm able to start installing appraisal and productivity software.  For me that means applications like MS Office 2003, Apex MSTT v3, and a la mode Aurora.

Since the tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 does not have a CD drive one has to come up with other ways to install software applications.  In the case of Apex MSTT, I was able to download that directly from their web site, but MS Office and WinTOTAL are a bit large for that method.

So how do I load my software CD onto my tablet PC?  The answer is simple. Find a desktop or laptop computer on your network and make it's CD/DVD drive "shareable" across the network.  Then put your CD into the drive, and click on [Add New Software] in the tablet's Windows Control Panel, browsing to the shared drive.  Once you find the set-up file on the CD, the software will install just like the drive was in your tablet.

How do I keep my tablet and office computer files in sync? The eo™ UMPC v7110 "Looks" like a big PDA but it's not.  It's a for-real computer running the Tablet version of Windows XP.  That means that it's not going to be able to use ActiveSync to keep your file folders in sync.

So NOW WHAT?   Read on . . .