| 07/28/2008 11:26 PM |
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I have been an XACT user for a number of years. Started doing some daily claims for a vendor and one client insists on SIMSOL program. ( I log on to their remote computer to write estimates) Boy is it easy to learn and very "adjuster" oriented. No one in my neck of the woods uses Simsol. If it weren't for the carriers who send me claims via XACT, think I would switch to SIMSOL. Cost prohibitive at this point. Would have to install program on a separate laptop because SIMSOL conflicts with my auto estimating software causing it to not run. |
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MedulusModerator  Veteran Member Posts:786  
| 07/29/2008 10:32 AM |
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Last I knew, Eric, Simsol offered a special rate to CADO members. I am not associated with Simsol, so I can't speak to whether the rate still applies. But you should probably check it out when you call them to sign up or renew the program.
Also, and again I can't speak for Simsol, the Simsol tech folks are pretty bright and very responsive. They may be able to do something about that conflict with the other program. I was having a problem at one point and called up the tech support (which was free as compared to the Xactimate $20 tech support). They created a patch, emailed it to me within an hour, and the problem was fixed.
Steve Ebner CPCU AIC AMIM
"With great power comes great responsibility." (Stanley Martin Lieber, Amazing Fantasy # 15 August 1962)
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Tom TollModerator & Life Member  Senior Member Posts:1865 
| 07/29/2008 11:09 AM |
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I think Simsol is the best estimate computing software out there. I am very close to dropping MS/B and going entirely to Simsol. I have not used it since the DOS days, so I hope it is easy to use. What about their reports, are they as comprehensive as Integraclaim. I am doing more local claims than anything else and most of the companies I represent will allow any software, so a change may be in order. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
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johnpostavaSIMSOL.com  Member Posts:141 
| 07/29/2008 11:35 AM |
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The conflict Eric is referring to is with ADP. Their software uses an older version of the Borland operating engine. Simsol requires a newer version of Borland. The problem is basically an ADP issue. My tech folks tell me whatever program is loaded last is the one that works. |
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| 07/29/2008 2:54 PM |
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Steve,
The problem was with Xact. They would delete print drivers and it seems they have corrected that problem. I've installed X25 on two laptops (just to try it out), one with WinXP Pro and one with Vista and there were no conflcts or problems running either program. And you're right, no charge for tech support! (or contents estimating either!) Some day, we'll adjust this way.
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| 07/29/2008 7:17 PM |
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Posted By John Postava on 07/29/2008 11:35 AM
The conflict Eric is referring to is with ADP. Their software uses an older version of the Borland operating engine. Simsol requires a newer version of Borland. The problem is basically an ADP issue. My tech folks tell me whatever program is loaded last is the one that works.
Found out that I can't run both programs on the same laptop; problem is as John stated.
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| 07/29/2008 7:20 PM |
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Posted By Tom Toll on 07/29/2008 11:09 AM
. What about their reports, are they as comprehensive as Integraclaim.
Tom-the reports I do in SIMSOL are templates designed to pick up all of the claim and estimate information. All I do is type the narratives, etc.
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| 07/30/2008 8:32 AM |
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I too have used Simsol since the DOS days. For me it will run circles around any other system. I will admit Power Claim has distinct advantages especially for multiple buildings on the same policy but almost every client I now work for is using Xact they have tailored their system to allow each vendor to track each claim from every angle. Unless we have multiple Cat 5 storms this year the days of getting over 100 losses and allowing you to work them is over. Xact pushes speed and closure and unfortunately it is get on their bandwagon or consider retiring. Come on Simsol you have a better product any adjuster will tell you it works great and is all inclusive but until you figure out how to knock Xact off the top of the hill you will just be getting smaller and smaller crumbs.
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johnpostavaSIMSOL.com Member Posts:141
| 07/31/2008 1:35 PM |
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Barry,
Thanks for the kind words about simsol. As a matter of fact we just pulled a small insurance comapny away from brand X (the deal is not inked yet but in the works). During the past few years we have developed all the pieces of the claims cycle (electronic assignment, additional estimating features and data analysis) which we didn't have and X did. Now we can compete with them on a more level playing field. And we run circles around them on the cost of our technology. When we get a prospect looking to switch and we can get simsol in the hands of a few of their staff adjusters (and I get to present our analyitics to the management) simsol 9 out of 10 times gets the account. That being said, insurance companies more slow and it is sometimes too costly for them to make a change. Simsol is currently signing up more and more contractors who are refusting to pay X software costs and have the power to tell the insurance carriers they do business with that if they want them to do the repair work they have to accept simsol estimates. Once enough of our estimates pass over the desks of claims managers they will take a better look at our products. X is HUGE and will always be a force to be reconed with in the property arena. I prefer to work with regional and state carriers because they are easier to deal with and more fun to work with. The last 20 years in software have been very rewarding and the next 20 should be too.
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Gale HawkinsPowerClaim.com Member Posts:386
| 07/31/2008 6:35 PM |
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Eric welcome to estimating outside of the Xactimate box. Sorry about the ADP conflict thing and maybe they will update soon so you can use Simsol directly from your desktop because that should be even faster then logging in remotely. In the years ahead we are told by Microsoft most all of us will be working off of web based software and that will finally remove conflict issues as the only thing the user’s computer/computing device will have to do is gain access to the web in an ideal world.
As John pointed out a lot has changed over the years when it comes to claims handling solutions. As Barry pointed out the adjuster’s options to Xactimate each have their uniqueness.
John is correct that Xactimate is HUGE as we all know and this is especially true of many CAT adjusters. While most carriers DO NOT use Xactimate most all of the carriers that pass out large numbers of CAT claims however do use/require Xactimate. The fact you ran into a vendor that insists on you using Simsol shows how Simsol has worked hard to get people to see its advantage over Xactimate and after they did companies preferred it.
It was perhaps in the July 2006 issue of Claims Magazine when both Simsol and HRI announced our web based CMS (Claims Management System) solutions (Claimwire and Net Services) which offered analytic data mining options so we can now compete for carrier/vendor business with solutions like Xactinet and ComCentral. As John has pointed out it is very costly for large carriers to change software vendors. We do find the regional and state carriers more open to change and to providing analytics to their management team than in the past.
Huge is that these new options to Xactware and MSB gives adjusting vendors and contractor firms access to affordable web based management systems to manner files from the cradle to the grave and all along the way. Companies are out spreading the word about new options web base solutions and that will have a positive impact on the adjusting and contractor industry.
I think one thing that will be so helpful to the adjuster is when each carrier/adjusting vendor/contractor provides the estimating software they want to be used and it be web based. When that day comes and it will come the adjuster could do four claims back to back on four different brands of adjusting software and do it sitting in the public library without any adjusting software loaded on it. There will be versions of the software that will run on the adjuster’s computer that can then sync up with the web server when connectivity is restored after a CAT event.
All software vendors have this in place today for I2V solutions for underwriting and agency use and I think most auto claims software is web based today as well. I was told by one carrier using MSB they have been told the web version of their new estimating system to be out at the end of this year will be followed at some point with the web version of it. Everything is moving to the web it seems.
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| 07/31/2008 9:52 PM |
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Any help/push you can give to/for SiMSOL will be WAY seconded by me. I've been using the program for about seven years and LOVE it. Can deal well with MSB/Integra, but really prefer SiMSOL. Have avoided XM8 for years, but am now having to learn it because so many carriers are requiring it. We lost out on several assignments this spring because we were not XM8-proficient, so am working my way through it--begrudgingly. YUCK!
SiMSOL report package/access is excellent & very user-friendly. Letters & Carrier reports can be imported & set up as merge-documents ((precluding the necessity of re-typing data), as can any other reports. Really nice! And Flood reports are all there, too. Love it, love it, LOVE IT!
Much more ADJUSTER- friendly than XM8 . . . we need to push for more carriers to allow it!!!
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| 07/31/2008 10:00 PM |
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Ditto the above . . . Need to suggest its use to carriers . . .
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Ray HallSenior Member Posts:2443
| 08/01/2008 3:44 PM |
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Many many large losses I have worked in the last 20 years did not require ANY estimating program. They are spread sheet type losses when the adjuster captures all the cost incurred and places it on the correct sheet, then a one page spread sheet recap , along with a one page statement of loss recaps the payments in the allowed and non allowed columns.
Seems the carriers are looking for a program that will allow inexperienced people to muddle throught with a week of training, and when you have several thousand muddling; the large pile of muddles should look the same so the office can reject the one's that dont match up, with a quick glance. |
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okclarrydVeteran Member Posts:954
| 08/01/2008 9:46 PM |
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I have been known to muddle with the best of 'em Larry D Hardin
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Ray HallSenior Member Posts:2443
| 08/02/2008 12:06 AM |
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Larry you are not a muddler, a mudder needs a puter to write an estimate. One very large vendor is asking entry level and above applicates to hand write an estimate, now that is anti-muddler I thinks. |
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Ray HallSenior Member Posts:2443
| 08/02/2008 12:09 AM |
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Posted By Ray Hall on 08/02/2008 12:06 AM
Larry you are not a muddler, a mudder needs a puter to write an estimate. One very large vendor is asking entry level and above applicates to hand write an estimate in the evaluation testing now that is anti-muddler I thinks.
*** how did I loose one hour?? |
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Tom TollModerator & Life Member Senior Member Posts:1865
| 08/02/2008 10:39 AM |
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I just signed up for the 30 day free trial for Simsol. The vendors and companies I work for doing local claims said use whatever I wanted to use. I will try to get somewhat proficient on Simsol ASAP. I hope the learning curve is not too great. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
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| 08/19/2008 2:08 PM |
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I feel for you I went from Simsol (since company inception) to Xact25 for a new company. It feels as if I have been thrown back into the stone age! Who made up those codes? |
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johnpostavaSIMSOL.com Member Posts:141
| 08/19/2008 2:13 PM |
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Fred Flintstone (or was it Barney) :)
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BobHVeteran Member Posts:759 
| 08/19/2008 9:30 PM |
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The Xm8 codes are awful. Use the "search" feature enter a keyword.
If you are looking within one trade, hit F2 to search within that trade.
You can also click on the header for the item description, which will sort the repair items alphabetically by description, not by the code.
That database is so huge now, it has become a haystack. I don't use the codes anymore. Bob H
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