| Author |
Message |
Jeff Goodman
Registered User
Username: Jgoodman
Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 11:33 pm: | |
In my haste to rush to my next task, I forgot the all important "http://" in my link. Many thanks for the assist, Good Sir Flynt.
Please forgive my oversight, fellow CADO surfers.
Jeff Goodman
http://www.stormcentral.com/ |
John Durham
Registered User
Username: Johnd
Post Number: 60
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 10:00 pm: | |
Lakes, I hope you get the Stormcentral System.... you need it... |
Jim Flynt
Member
Username: Jimflynt
Post Number: 260
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 9:04 pm: | |
Jim are you SURE you want to know?
Just kidding: the earlier hyperlink for Stormcentral was incorrect.
The correct weblink for StormCentral is http://www.stormcentral.com/
(Message edited by jimflynt on April 25, 2002) |
JimLakes
Registered User
Username: Jimlakes
Post Number: 76
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 9:02 pm: | |
Oh Gee,
I tried to go to the StormCentral listed below and it keeps saying: PAGE CANNOT BE FOUND.
Is this how your management system works or am I just to old and and stupid?
Jim Lakes, RPA
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Jeff Goodman
Registered User
Username: Jgoodman
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 3:09 pm: | |
I have several claims managements systems. At the start these systems were NOT designed for in-house use. Eventually the software enterprise with which I was associated morphed into an adjusting company, and the system was used in-house. But it did not start that way.
The adjusting company management system, called stormcentral.com, is based on Microsoft Access2000 and not only tracks billing and adjuster commission, but has a diary system that automatically drops entries as the file progresses through its major life cycle milestones, such as Receipt, Assignment, Inspection, Closed, Billed, Payment Received, and Adjuster Paid. The system also has a tickler that allows diary entries to be entered in the future and a window pops open when running the system showing the actions required that day. As well, the program has many other useful features.
The fact that is based on MS Access, and I will sell a copy of the source code, should alleviate the "programmer's died or unavailable" concerns. MS Access development is widely available across the country and there are many out there that do it better than I. Just do a google search on MS Access Development. The one I just ran return 1.4 million hits.
I have worked on this system as recently as six months ago, and will be happy to work on it in the future. I make my living doing custom application development and network support. And I much prefer application development.
The stormcentral.com Claims management system consists of a standard database structure and various interfaces into it. There is the Administrative Interface, which exposes all program capabilities and data. There is the Call Central Interface, which allows a person answer the phones to direct insureds to the correct adjuster and shows file diary to date to help answer the easy questions. The Accounting Central Interface is for the billing and payroll clerks.
The ability to upload and download claims notices is already implemented, although this process might change depending on from where the claims come. This data upload/download is a personal favorite of mine, and I am open to accepting data in any format that a system can export it.
The stormcentral.com/theadjuster uses the same database structure as the stormcentral.com program, which allows full file upload and download between the packages. This package is a claims management system for the adjuster, and while it will produce building, contents, APS and ALE estimates, it does not do near the job Simsol and the others do on estimates. In short, it will rock on residential hail claims, due to the powerful template system, but be lost on a 40-unit condominium project.
The common database structure has been ported to Microsoft SQL Server and a basic front end is started. I was working on this project when the deal I was negotiating fell through and development on the SQL version was halted. I choose not to work for free.
Several companies use the stormcentral.com program to this day. The largest client, who has been using the software since Oct. 1997, is Insurance Network Services out of Charlotte, NC. CJET Corporation has used a version of this program as well, and I believe, continues to use a modified version to this day. Several small mom and pops use it as well.
Since the New Year, I am writing a custom security application for Landmark Communications here in Norfolk, VA, so the stormcentral.com web page is a bit out of date on the programs posted. The newest stormcentral.com/theadjuster program beta is posted, but I have not had time for extensive testing of this version. I also am working on using the MS Access Runtime which will eliminate the need to have the full version MS Access2000, and, unfortunately, probably lose some neat features as well, such as the file browse options; which are shared Office programmability.
If you have Microsoft Access 2000, the price for the stormcentral.com/theadjuster program is zero. It is available for download at ftp://ftp.stormcentral.com. You will need to use the username claims2002 (all lower case) and the password claims2002 (all lower case) to access the ftp site. The posted update file only updates Claims2001 installations. I am working on posting the new update utilities, as well a testing the claims2002 update. The claims2002 version has complete file upload and download between stormcentral.com/theadjuster installations.
Since I am a storm adjuster as well (if there would ever be a big storm), I would prefer to improve the insurance products I already have thousands of hours of development time in, than start from scratch with a new application. This is exactly what I did with the security program (which shows a photo for each access card scanned at an entry door for the local newspaper, the Virginian Pilot, across their three physical locations in two cities).
As I make my living developing software, I would be very interested in tailoring a system to each companies needs. I can deliver my updates and customizations over the Internet, so I do not need to be in the area in which the customer is located. I also accept payment over the web as well. The Internet is a powerful tool and I am trying to integrate into my business as much as possible.
If required, I have a list of references as long as your arm that will vouch for my computer abilities and dependability.
If anyone is interested in more, please email me direct at Jgoodman@stormcentral.com. More information on the stormcentral family of products, as well as myself, is available at www.stormcentral.com.
Hope all are as busy as they wish to be.
Jeff Goodman
Goodman Enterprises
www.stormcentral.com
One Man's Software |
Scott Wiens
Registered User
Username: Digitalsaw
Post Number: 21
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 10:11 am: | |
John,
This thread should be very interesting as most claims management systems are home-grown systems such as the one your adjusting company developed for itself. Most are DOS based and therefore are very old. In my experience in working with adjusting firms I usually find these custom systems are designed to track the claim primarily for billing purposes but also generate basic reports on claim totals, reserves, etc. I have heard all kinds of names for these systems but again, because they are custom built for the company they don't help other companies looking for a claims management system.
I will say these systems are very practical and work well for these company. They range in size from Crawford's large NatCat and ManCat systems to smaller systems with names like Prism and CMS (yes, there is a claims management system out their called CMS). The larger ones are much more robust and usually the company has control of the code and their own programmers on staff to work on the systems.
These systems do have some obvious disadvantages in that, without a data bridge to bring claim information in electronically from the carrier or from the adjuster, they require the manual entry of claim assignment data and completed claim data therefore making more work for the company. The other problem I have heard from those companies using the smaller systems is that the programmer that built the system has either left the area and they can't find the guy to get changes made or he or she has died. This creates problems for them.
I would also be interested in hearing any information regarding these claims management systems from the independent adjusting firms out there.
Scott Wiens
Marshall & Swift/Boeckh
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John Mcmennamy
Registered User
Username: Johnnymc
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 9:49 pm: | |
John I'll be honest, I have never used Simsol. Any comparison work would not be fare. I have mainly worked for State Farm and Farmers who uses Xactimate. USAA also uses Xactimate.
Xactimate uses Xact Net to download completed files and is built into their program. The companies seem to like. I wish I could be of more help.
Johnny Mac
(Message edited by johnnymc on April 23, 2002) |
John A. Postava
Registered User
Username: Johnp
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 6:18 pm: | |
I am starting this thread because SIMSOL would like to know what CMS (Claims Mgmt. Systems) adjusting firms are now using to track and monitor adjuster files. I receive at least 2 calls a week asking me to recommend a CMS software (SIMSOL does not sell a CMS product). Our small CAT adjusting company (SIMSOL Insurance Services) uses a DOS-based system which we wrote back in 1990. The system is linked to our estimating package for downloading of assignments and works well for our adjusters even though it is DOS based (and, no, it is not for sale).
I have looked at a number of Windows based systems and have yet to find one that is as robust as our DOS system. SIMSOL began programming a Windows based CMS system but it is currently on a back burner.
I am familiar with MSB's Administrator program and it does the job (No, Scott W. you can't quote me on that without written permission) and would like to hear CADO member comments about likes and dislikes. I would also like to hear from other members you use something else.
(Actually, I just wanted to start a new thread because I was getting worn out reading about MOLD!!!)
Thanks in advance to all whom (or who) reply! |
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