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Gale Hawkins
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 16, 1999 - 3:22 am: | 
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Tom I could not agree more with your view concerning DDS. How could any one that had never tried PowerClaim think other wise? DDS pioneered the development of Windows 95/98/NT property insurance over the past 6 years just about single-handed and spent millions doing it. DDS raised the bar forever for adjusting software developers. As was the buzz some time ago, Boeckh, a major leader in adjusting software from the early days just plain gave up on trying to develop a Windows 95/98/NT version of software and are hoping to retain a few of their users by getting DDS to permit them to resale DDS under the Boeckh name accept with a different database. This was similar to what R.S. Means started trying last year by selling a version of Simsol 2000 with the R.S. Means name on it.
Tom as you know with cars, now you basically can get the same adjusting software from 2 very different companies. That indicates property insurance adjusting software is just becoming a commodity as cars did years ago because one man saw that others were trying to get it right but just never had quite made it.
Henry Ford believed if he could build a car that was easy-to-use and the average person could afford it that most families would start driving one. Tom I do not know if you have read about how hard it was for him to pull off his dream or not but I can identify with him. With all things being equal PowerClaim should have never seen the light of day. The unbelievable string of events over the past 3 years that have literally keep us going day to day until we finally got the 3rd version on the market and it was well accepted, will be in a book one day if I stay alive.
We at Hawkins Research started out in 96 developing PowerClaim because we realized half of the property adjusting software market was still waiting for a Henry Ford that would be willing to risk everything and more to get easy-to-use and low cost property insurance adjusting software package into their hands. More and more adjusters are turning in computer-generated claims for the first time each month because of PowerClaim 99. Former DDS users are reporting it is much easier to use but when they level with us the feature they like best is the price.With the 2 years for the price of 1 Special currently available PowerClaim is 80% cheaper than DDS. As of to date no carrier has rejected a claim based to the grounds the adjuster or adjusting company used PowerClaim software. Three of our databases are identical to what DDS use since they come from the same identical sources.
Tom most adjusters in the US are not like the few Cat adjusters making $200K a year nor do they have a computer science degree. Based on the last price I saw for DDS 4.03 it was $99 per month if you signed a 1-year agreement. I don’t think they give the 20% off per copy if at least 2 adjusters go together and purchase on the same credit card like PowerClaim does. Tom the bottom line is currently 2 adjusters can reduce their software cost by about $4,000.00 over the next 2 years if they can see fit to choose PowerClaim over DDS. Wonder how much it would be if a company has 100 adjusters?
By the way I did a little research and found that HECK freezes over at only 20 degrees. Could PowerClaim be in your future this winter Tom? :) |
R.D. Hood
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 15, 1999 - 11:58 pm: |
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Cant speak for any other OS except windows. BUT, did you know that the DDS program will accept voice recogntion,(Dragon Dictate Naturally Speaking), and that with the two interfaced you have the ability to enter claims, describe photos, prepare all of the required reports,verbally, etc. It does work in Windows but unfortunately it does not do them, Oh well, more technology will evolve. |
Tom Toll
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 15, 1999 - 8:53 am: |
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I have used all the programs, except power claims. After using DDS, my wife and I decided DDS was the solution to our time problem. We find that it is user friendly and one heck of a time saver. Get, learn it, use it. While sitting waiting for a storm to occur, train on it to make yourself effecient. We are working Floyd losses and find the new version, 4.03, to be a fantastic product. Tech support is great. We called for help to set up a special statement of loss and they were great on their help. Estimating programs are each individuals choice. Each person has certain habits and mindsets that control their personna, so it is indeed an individuals choice. I have voiced my choice and will stick with DDS to heck freezes over. Good Nite Irene. |
Gale Hawkins
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 1999 - 11:34 pm: |
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Scott I think that most adjusters who have been following what has been happening in the world of adjusting software will agree that DDS pioneered the world of Windows based adjusting software. The developers that had DOS versions did not seem to feel free to embrace Windows quickly because their Windows versions often cut the productivity of many adjusters. The recent decision by Boeckh to get out of the adjusting software development business and just resell your product is a reminder to all of the major changes under way for all adjusting software vendors. As it is clear from this thread people seem to quickly forget who was first and only we will care what changes DDS and PowerClaim brought to the adjusting world some day.
I am sure 5 years from now many adjusters will not remember that Hawkins Research was the first property adjusting software developer that offered Toll-Free tech support for their customers. Since DDS has recently decided to follow PowerClaim’s lead in this area I am sure all the other vendors will do the same. When PowerClaim was released in 98 it was the first Windows 95 or 98 adjusting software package to break though both the $1000 and the $500 annual price barrier that had be keeping half the adjusters in the US still doing claims by hand. We noticed a recent DDS ad in Claims Magazine which followed our lead by advertising a special price so it is clear to see in the future PowerClaim will not be the only easy-to-use, affordable and full featured adjusting software in the $200 to $500 annual price category.
Scott people do get the facts wrong after a time and it does hurt when you have put years and millions of dollars into something like you and others have with DDS. Just don’t go and make DDS twice as easy-to-use and learn and cut the price by 60% just yet. Although we are giving a 5-year price guarantee on our $239 to $479 (depending on volume) annual subscription price, I promise the 2-years for the price of 1-year Special will not run forever. The current special makes PowerClaim cost the carrier or adjusting company only $9.95 per month for each adjuster if they have 100+ adjusters. If 2 or more independent adjusters order on the same invoice then the complete average monthly cost for the next 2 years is only $15.79 each. In the event a solo adjuster does not ban with another adjuster the average cost still will only be $19.95 per month. After the special ends then the average monthly cost will be $19.90 to $39.90 (depending on volume) for years 3,4 and 5 or less depending on how many other vendors under cut the price of PowerClaim.
Since the number of copies of adjusting software being sold is soon going to double and software development cost are going to continue to decrease for us as developers, the new sub $500 price should not lower the total amount of software sales for any current vendor. In fact it will make us stronger because we will have more users so we will be less dependent on each one adjuster or company. The fact that adjusters can get fast, new computers in the $500 price range from E-machine and others means those adjusting manually or with an old DOS adjusting package will be moving to the latest and greatest we vendors have to offer. Sure some will just quit but most go ahead and meet the carriers’ request for computerized claims.
Scott keep up the pressure on the industry from out there in Hawkins, Texas. It crossed my mind I could move everyone out to Hawkins but having Gale Hawkins and Hawkins Research Inc. in Hawkins, Texas would just be too much so we plan to stay right here in Murray, Kentucky :) You can reach me by email at gale@hawkinsresearch.com or by hitting our site http://www.powerclaim.com which probably has changed little since the last time you visited it except for our 2 years for the price of 1 Special or just call me free at 1-800-736-1246 ext. 101 if you choose not to post a reply. |
Scott Wiens
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 1999 - 6:20 pm: |
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DDS would like to address the issue of DDS' claim that they had the first digital photography in an estimating system, and the claim by Mr. Bennett that this statement was false. The first digital imaging contained within a file that was actually transmitted paperless occurred in 1995 via a DDS electronic claim transfer test. It contained 36 digital images captured from Hi-8 video(digital cameras back in 1995 were extremely expensive and not practical for adjusters in price nor use). Since DDS was the first Windows based (Windows 3.11) estimating software in existence at the time, the digital capabilities of this program proceeded Simsol's involvement with digital photography by at least three years. DDS wishes to point this out to those who would like clarification on the statement made by Mr. Bennett. |
Kelley Roberson
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 08, 1999 - 1:07 pm: |
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I would like those of you who have worked with Simsol and DDS to send your pro and con thoughts to me on the two programs. |
Rick Holt
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 15, 1999 - 12:21 am: |
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I have worked with DDS for over 2 years now and find that it is the most complete adjusting program on the market today. I have been using a pre-release copy of version 4.01 of DDS. I love the new features that have been added. They now have a full commercial estimating package and a Dwelling Evaluator. The program comes with several databases and allows an adjuster to add customized data bases that included company specific price guides. The new macro features are easy to use and will make it very easy to develop storm specific macros. The contents data bases include pricing from JC Penney Catalogue and Best Buy Prices (include even the SKU Number). DDS has included so many adjuster friendly features it is like getting an extra hour or two production out of your day. |
someone
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 16, 1999 - 12:36 pm: |
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I think the only advise you are likely to get here, on which programs best is going to be heavily skewed in favor of the brand of program the responder has paid for. |
James Heiden
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 1999 - 1:16 pm: |
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I have been using DDS for a year now.. Hurricane Georges was the first time I used it. We got it free at the CAT office. Anyone who used it, stayed with it. We were all offered Boeckh for free also. No one took them up on it. They just sat there in the box.
I like DDS because you can add Digital Photos, type descriptions on the photo sheets, download files to the office on the phone or print it out and hand them in.
The databases are fantastic. Easy MACROS to put together for repeatedly used items like (R&R int. door 2-6, paint door 2 sides w/trim, R&R lockset) all lumped together in a MACRO really saves time.
I like the fact you can creat a file, enter all the data for a wind claim on the banner sheet, save it, then start a new file with same info for the flood file. Saves time and fingers typing addresses and phone numbers. It also prints out the flood forms beautifully. |
James Heiden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 1999 - 3:23 pm: |
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I forgot to mention you can check out DDS yourself at www.dds-solutions.com . You can download the demo off the site and play around with it. They also list the pricing there.
Their tech help is fantastic. I ran into them at the booth at the NFIP seminar in Denver and praised them to their face. Very, very helpful.
If anyone gets the program, I attended a class in Biloxi and took really good notes. Contact me and I'll send you a copy. |
David P Bennett
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 22, 1999 - 11:08 am: |
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This is not a sales pitch. I have been associated with and using Simsol for 6 - 7 years. In fact the program is used by Several Major Insurance Carriers. Contrary to DDS's claims, Simsol has had digital photography since the first digital camera came out 2 - 3 years ago. The macro features were first available in their DOS program and of course with their latest 32bit release program. The management reporting program allows you to customize the report information. The program allows you to enter complete scopes of remove/replace/ paint and finish in one simple step. The program comes with standard insurance industry forms and was the first program to have NFIP forms included. There Tech support is always available and they will customize your forms within the program if requested. You have the ability to create your own forms which will pull the information from the loss information screen. Copy features allow you to copy complete files, individual rooms or scopes. The program comes with a residential light commercial database, a heavy commercial database and a contents database. The contents are based on national store chains and provide for three qualities of the item. The ability to create your own database or specific items is the easiest to do of the programs I've seen. You can fax direct from the program and receive or send your files by email as well. The building valuation program contains not only residential, but commercial, farm, manufacturing and industrial. Overall, it provides for the most paperless file system available. Notepads, diary, contacts (phone address directory) Inovice billing, accounts receivable. You can customize your reports or use the reporting forms within the program, add documents from word or excel and then customize the document to pull information from the loss information screen. Shortest learning curve of all the programs. And all the databases are driven by ZIP Code, so you don't have to wait for a local database to be sent to you. Write an Estimate in California and then New York the next day, without any delays. Your complete file will have : Invoice, Activity log, First or Final Report, Building Valuation page (Detailed or short form) diagram page, estimate body, trade breakdown, statement of loss,photos and if necessary, proof of loss, replacement cost proof and any flood forms you may require. Give it a try free for 30 DAYS. |
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