| Author |
Message |
    
rw morris
Registered User
Username: Rmorris
Post Number: 11
Registered: 5-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 10:20 am: | 
|
I recently received an estimate from a contractor on a fire which came to 105K. This is for a two story single family dwelling with approx 35% damage.
It only took 34 pages. With the new age of file transfer is there any way to compact this information.
It seems to be very excessive and hard for the adjuster and insured to understand.
Any thoughts on this? |
mark salmon
Registered User
Username: Olderthendirt
Post Number: 153
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 11:24 am: |
|
Have mercy on the poor insured who have to read your estimate , 2000 no graphics |
Roy Cupps (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 12:42 pm: |
|
From the Bulletin Board:
Looks like I'm finally going to have to start using the big X. Which version is more stable and useful, 2000 or 2001? ( or neither). This will be for Wardlaw on mold claims. Thanks
Posted By: DLR, dlr@prodigy.net |
admin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 - 5:06 pm: |
|
ATLANTA, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA CRDB) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance with Xactware, Inc. By using Xactware's suite of software products, this new partnership will revolutionize the way Crawford and the industry handles property claims assignments from insurance companies.
full story |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 01, 2001 - 3:46 pm: |
|
Tom in your last reply you made a good point. You said you are an adjuster and not a financial analyst. Perhaps this is why many prefer your profession that have reached your status. I gather from what others have said that you can find work if any adjuster is working because of the reputation you have built over the years. If it were not for health limitations I would have to consider earning a living the way you do.
Unlike myself and other CEO’s in most any industry you are freed from being forced to think years ahead and making irreversible decisions based on the facts of today. If an adjuster makes a bad financial decision work wise he or she can correct that when the next assignment rolls around.
At Hawkins Research, Inc. we often can do little in the short term if we have made a bad business decision. Since it often takes 3 years or longer from concept to success in the field it means we must be able to analyze what the industry needs/wants, where producing it will be profitable or not as well as who will be trying/able to do the same.
Can this be very stress? The answer is yes especially when being wrong on your analyses of the three above subjects will affect thousands of lives in a negative way. In our industry it is not what you can see out in front of you that is your big threat. It is what is coming up from behind you at the speed of light that can blow you out of the water.
A company’s entire financial analyses can be blow out the water with just one little press release. Since most of us do not have eyes in the back of or heads we are already dead before we know what has hit us if we are not careful.
Tom some do envy you that are in a relative stress free environment yet making the big bucks. Keep up the good works because it is good of everyone. |
mark (Olderthendirt)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 5:11 pm: |
|
DOS dottering outadate systems. Have faith someday windows will work as will the windows based programs, have trust in Bill, has he ever let us down before. |
Ghostbuster (Ghostbuster)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 10:15 am: |
|
Well...if they fixed some of the goofs on the prior versions like;
1) Automatic capitilizing of the first letter of names on the administrative screen like the old DOS versions,
2) Returning the setup of macros to the old DOS versions,
3) Either making the idioctic icons relevant to the function or even better, bring back the old DOS keystrokes,
4) How about some basic claim forms like a photo sheet or a statement of loss,
5) On second thought, just go back to what worked, and stay with the OLD DOS versions!
( I've become such an old curmudgeon these days, what with my bifocals, grey hair and pot gut!) |
jon
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2001 - 1:01 pm: |
|
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Xactimate 2001 version? |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 5:38 pm: |
|
A new forum needs creating called, (This is getting us nowhere FAST). I am an adjuster, proud of his occupation, and not a financial analyst. So, this ends any responses to your posts on the subject. Good luck. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 12:04 pm: |
|
Thanks Tom for your concern about my financial posture. Not everyone is so kind to ask because they are afraid to ask because they are concerned I will hit them up for a loan. 
I guess you could say “flat” to answer your question Tom, as in “flat broke”. I know you will be good for at least a $5K loan when I tell you about the “one eyed” turtle.
That turtle that I mentioned yesterday only has one eye (if I could afford a digital camera I would take a picture and post it for you to see). Cutting corners I purchased it from a defunct gas station now that serves as a 365 day a year yard sale in this community that I pass through on my way in from the boonies each day.
You can imagine how I felt when I realized I had could only afford a one eye turtle for my kids. Tom at 3.5 years I guess those kind of things are not that critical because they played in it yesterday afternoon just like it had two eyes.
Please just email me at gale@powerclaim.com about how much your financial posture will permit you to loan me at this time because if you posted it I am afraid you would find others like myself hitting you up for a loan.
Tom on a more serious note the fact that three competitors have been put on the auction block in very short order and the last two at “Fire Sale” prices it would seem to me, it has raised questions about the long term health of the adjusting software industry. This is not good for the rest of the vendors.
It is not an issue to you but just think about the larger firms that have spend major, major $$$ setting up around a specific vendor and now it is clear that the long term availability of that and perhaps even other vendors’ products are in question because of the financial situation of some. This situation has heightened the interest in the Open Claims standard idea we at Hawkins Research, Inc. introduced last year since it helps by reducing a firm or carrier’s exposure to the failure of their adjusting software vendor.
P.S. Tom just to sweeten to pot a little I will give you free use of PowerClaim for both you and your wife until I can repay your loan in full with interest. That could be a great big and long value. Looking forward to knowing the amount your financial posture will permit.
P.P.S I noticed you now have the name of your software vendor correct. That was the point of my first reply to your promotional post on this Xactimate thread. On the turtle subject I think we will paint a black eye patch over his missing eye and tell the twins they are special because they have a one of a kind sand box. What are your thoughts on the idea? |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 7:36 pm: |
|
What heck difference does it make. I don't have the fortitude nor inclination to look into a company to view their portfolio. That just does not interest me at all and probably most adjusters. MSB has a fantastic program that can help the adjuster make as much or more than yours, even though I have not tried your software. My wife and I buy and continue to buy what works for us. Some don't like MSB, some don't like Simsol. They both have good software. I have never seen a post like your last from MSB or Simsol. Guess they don't have the time or inclination either. What is your financial posture now. Would you post that please.
Tom |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 5:02 pm: |
|
Thanks Tom for pointing out how like you and I are alike when it comes to promoting what we believe in so much. I have had people try to sell me on Dale’s courses but I never had the cash but others have pointed out as well how they can be life changing.
Tom I would be interested in your take as to why Boston Ventures would buy Marshall & Swift, Boeckh and DDS. Perhaps a better question to have answered would be why would the investors of these three firms want to get out of the business if they felt they had a shot at making a good profit at some point in the near future in the new age of paperless files.
Perhaps with your connections you have better numbers but from what I have read on the web Boeckh investors got $2.5 million and the DDS folks got $1 million. Tom in the case of the DDS investors that could mean that they only got out with twenty cents on the dollar based on the numbers floating around on what they had invested in DDS over the years.
Tom buying mismanaged companies for pennies on the dollar can be a good way to make a fast buck if one is a great turnaround artist. But what if the problem is deeper than management or is not management? One thing that is clear to some is that all 3 firms had failed product wise to maintain their position as cutting edge technology firms and that their pricing had become out of line in this age of technology cost.
You may be correct that Ron’s quitting will not be a negative for the Boston Ventures folks and the clients. It may be true that some of the others that were under Ron in the past may have seen any missteps of the past and can quickly correct them if in fact missteps were made.
In Mobile at NAIIA the oldest developer in the industry did state that Boston Ventures offered a large user of the DDS software stock options so if that is the case perhaps by others having a vested interest all parties will be working to add value to the stock. Giving the users of your product a financial carrot should be positive for all connected with the venture. This developer stated he was in business with Floyd Myers (sp) in another company years ago and that was how he knew him so well. At Mobile the other week it was stated that Floyd is currently serving as the general manager of the DDS division as it is integrated into MSB.
Well the sun has come out and there are three bags of sand in the wheelbarrow that needs to be put inside of a green turtle so off we go to play. Thanks for your experienced input on the software forum Tom and the way you post with a passion. Catch you later. |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2001 - 7:20 pm: |
|
Gayle, thank you for your usual insightful remarks. Many years ago I joined the Dale Carnegie group and learned how to win friends and influence people. Then I discovered on my own that sincerity, honesty, trustworthiness, friends and a prolific personality is all you need, plus as much education as you can muster. I don't like to admit that I make mistakes, but we all do and we must learn to admit it. One thing I have learned in my almost 62 years, is to stay away from pushy salesmen, and to be quite honest with you, thats why I have not tried your estimating system, nor will I. DDS and Simsol have never pushed their programs by grabbing everything negative they can find about their competition and broadcasting it true or not. Mr. Pylant is now a consultant with MSB. Obviously that means he has not strayed from the fold. He must have other endeavors he wishes to pursue and bless him for that. You make it sound like MSB will fall without the aid of Ron. I don't believe that will happen. People like Scott Weins and many others I have met and spoken with on the telephone, will not allow that to happen. If it does, it does. I have never met John Postava with Simsol, but admire his approach to encouraging folks to try his product, suttely. I wish you success and maybe some like pushy salemen, Sorry, I do not. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2001 - 6:51 pm: |
|
Tom perhaps Bob already has already learned DDS but is not the type that will let using a specific software package keep him from making $1K a day when opportunity knocks.
Had the DDS corporation found more like you Tom their outcome may have been very different. Now that the president of the former DDS, Ron Plyant has decided to quit the new MSB corporation do you see that as positive or negative for future versions of estimating software from MSB? Do you think Ron will put together a new group of investors and start over again? |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2001 - 9:20 am: |
|
If you wonder why I have posted so much today, I took the darn day off, after six months of nothing by work, I deserve a day off. Besides, no one wants their roof inspected on memorial day. DDS and Simsol, in my opinion, are the best out there. As John says, they are robust and were designed for the adjuster, not the contractor. I have been an advocate of DDS because I have been using it since the fledgeling days of DDS. If you learn the program, just like Simsol, you will find it is very proficient. But a lot of us will skim through the help programs and then gripe because we do not know how to use the program. My wife, Janice, has become more profecient than I, because she is constantly asking how does this work. She knows DDS inside and out and has ended up teaching me how to better use the program. We can fly through an estimate with ease. I was forced to use Exactimate one time and that was the last time and will continue to be the last time. It burns out and then tech support says "re-install the program". Sure, thats going to correct the problem. I will not have a program that the programmers do not know how to fix . I was told by one company that they use Exactimate only and that I would have to become profecient at it to be able to work for them. I chose not to work for them. The ultimate goal of all estimating programs is one fold. A bottom line that exhibits the loss of damage on a covered loss. Nothing else. Now, if that program eases the process of reporting and e-mailing, that program stands above the others. We don't just write estimates, we report and now we e-mail. If an estimating program will do that for you, your light years ahead. |
Bob Markovics
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2001 - 9:40 pm: |
|
Can anyone tell what they think of Exactimate, if you are writing total losses this program doesn't seem to recognize excess limits and the proof of loss statement seems to be geared to NFIP only, any info would be appreciated, when I called tech support they couldn't answer my questions, any info good or bad would be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Bob |
John A. Postava (Johnp)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 3:33 pm: |
|
Les, both DDS and SIMSOL are very robust ADJUSTING systems as opposed to Xactamate, which is basically an estimate writing program for contractors.
SIMSOL's File Previewer works just like an ACROBAT reader. Once sent to a client, SIMSOL estimates, photos, diagrams, reports, etc. may be emailed to anyone. They do not need the SIMSOL program unless they wish to alter the documents. Each client only needs to download our file previewer file once and it will automatically locate and open all SIMSOL-related emails that are sent to that client. This feature has been in our system since our first Windows-based release. |
Cody English
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2000 - 1:17 pm: |
|
Mr. Garderner,
For everyone's information DDS does have a product named "DDS Report Viewer" that IS furnished free-of-charge to ANYONE, which allows your clients to view your reports and digital photos. If anyone would like to know more about this product, I invite you to call our Sales department at 888-337-9665. I apologize for posting in Xactimate's forum, but I wanted to make sure that all of the information provided to the adjusters is accurate.
W. Cody English
Senior Account Representative
Digital Documentation Systems |
Les Gardner
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 03, 2000 - 12:00 am: |
|
I've been using Xactimate for past five years and think the 2000 version is GREAT !!! I've been trying out DDS and Simsol and struggling with them on the dBase. They don't seem to be as fast as Xactimate. I have clients who are wanting estimates, pics, reports, etc e-mailed to them. I can do this with Xactimate at no cost to clients. Seems they have to purchase DDS or Simsol before email can be accomplished. Doesn't sound like much cost until the client has to multiply the cost per month by the number of examiners. Anyway, please share your thoughts about Xactimate compared to DDS & Simsol. Thanks |
Clyde Rath
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2000 - 8:57 pm: |
|
Have just started using Xactimate 2000 and many of the DOS commands we all liked so well have been incorporated. However, it is still in the windows environment and some quirks still exist.
No doubt about it, the DOS version was a straight forward database program that worked well. Unfortunately, in today's computer world the mouse rules and my Chiropractor is a happier man for it. Actually, we all look more like an orchestra director flinging our arms everywhere to get something accomplished. Bottom line: a lot of wasted movement and less production.
As far as getting a reponse from Xactimate - forget it! Xactimate is the epitame of "stonewalling" when it comes to addressing problems. If you thought the Federal Government was bad - trust me, they take lessons from Xactimate. And to offer any suggestions; forget it thank you very much. They know it all which explains the Xactimate 99 debacle. |
Ghostbuster
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 - 9:17 pm: |
|
Bill,
I've used Xactimate since 1992 and have been to the school for this windows version and used it on 259 files last fall on storm. IMHO, this version is harder to use than the DOS versions. It is overly complicated. It requires longer to acclimate oneself to its methodology. It is insulting to my intelligence with the cutsey icons. The best key to use is not the enter key but rather the tab key to manuver thru the entry selections.
I would appreciate if Xactimate people would offer up some explanation on their product and try to clear up why the windows version is like it is. I still can't figure out why they made it so difficult to set up a macro? |
Bill Richard (Billr)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 - 5:54 pm: |
|
We have just started a trial use of exactimate 2000 and are a little startled at the the amount of variables, equations and manipulation necessary to operate this system. If anyone out there is proficient at the use and application of this system, please post some tips and shortcuts on this site. |
Gale Hawkins
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 1999 - 11:36 pm: |
|
Richard the person that sent me a copy was Mark S. Stout in TeleNet Sales and his number is 1-800-424-XACT (9228). If your average monthly software cost over the next 2 years is going to be more than $19.95 have the person you are adjusting for call me at 1-800-736-1246 ext. 101 or email me at gale@hawkinsresearch.com |
Chuck Deaton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 1999 - 10:17 pm: |
|
Richard, I got mine by calling Xactimate. If you need a phone #, email me |
Richard Anderson
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 1999 - 8:06 pm: |
|
Where can I find a copy of Xactimate? I would appreciate finding a source for this software. Thank you. |
