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Dan Meler
Registered User
Username: Danmeler
Post Number: 5
Registered: 3-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 12:56 pm: | 
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I picked up a little program called NCE while workig Andrew. DOS based. Put out by someone in Tuscon, AZ. Extremely easy to use. Puts out the most reader-friendly format I've seen Used it for many years...still do at times. Problem now is finding a compatible printer and getting it all to work with the newer OS's. It can be done, but it doesn't separate Rec from Non Rec depreciation so the ins co's don't like it. Probably great for a contractor though. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2001 - 4:52 pm: |
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Mr. King we are honored to have Mr. Fausset as one of our very early customers. He along with several other top notched adjusters have been very helpful in making PowerClaim what it has become. Last year he helped me at the NAIIA convention near Denver. From our experience he is a credit to his profession and a fine man as well. I have yet to meet Mr. Stilwell yet but I know some are still using CMS and are not crazy about giving it up. |
C. Ray King (Crayk)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2001 - 1:01 pm: |
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Gale, in the late 1980's I used a program developed by Dave Fawcett out of Colorado, I don't recall the name of it.In 1990 I met Gene Stilwell in northern Washington working flood losses and spent several evenings with him looking at his program which at that time was Countrywide Claims Management System(CCMS). I purchased the program and was using it when Pilot bought it. It then became Quik Claim and CMS. I used it until Pilot scrapped it. |
John Durham (Johnd)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 9:07 pm: |
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Gale:
I am running Windows ME on a new WinBook 850 mhz notebook that I have had for 5 weeks. I have Boeckh DOS running just fine. I had a hard time getting the program to run initially, but I think it was the CD Burner I used to make the backup had changed the attributes of every file to read only. After running [attrib -r *.* /s] to change all the attributes back, the program works just fine. Dennis Wallen sent me the latest DOS version of the *.EXE files and I did put a command in the batch file of buffers=50 and another at the end of the file of buffers=0. This gives me a little buffering and does help the program to run better. The end of the batch file removes them and is not executed until I exit the DOS program(s) and have completed the batch file that takes me into Boeckh. I now have three computers one Win 95, one Win 98, and one Win ME and have only had problems with the Win 98. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 8:27 pm: |
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A loyal “Black Cat” user turned up today. Although he has the latest and greatest Windows software he still goes back to Black Cat when he can because it is the fastest adjusting software he has ever used. He could not recall the developer of the program but thought it was still for sale for $900. Scott thought it was developed from someone in Dallas and the two users I know of associate its use with Nat Cat (sp?) in FL. What do you know? Who developed it? Is it still being sold?
On the subject of DOS software, has anyone tried running a DOS program on the new Windows Me? Can it be done? If yes do you have to do something different then in 95 or 98? I have not worked with Windows Me yet but I keep hearing that it is not DOS friendly. I do know some keep an older computer with DOS 6.0 and Windows 3.1 for running DOS programs stress free. |
John Durham (Johnd)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 5:17 pm: |
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Gale:
Yes, about 6 years ago, I worked for a company on the East coast that represented a carrier (name excluded) that required hand written estimates. The carrier wanted the adjuster to stand and write the estimate at the insureds residence, leave a copy with the insured (or representative) and then FAX the completed estimate to the home office. We were supplied with pre-printed estimate forms and two or three were stapled together with carbon paper inside and this was what we used for the entire storm. I found this somewhat "different" and had a little time getting used to the routine. The worst part of this particular assignment was completing a burned out dwelling that required 5 pages of hand written line items which changed about 10 times and had to be re-done each time. I was never so glad to be done with a claim as that burnout. Funny, the carrier required that our billing for adjustments be computer generated.
Later the same year I worked for another carrier direct in Lubbock, TX and was issued legal size NCR paper forms with a diagram box, places to include the policy information and a "standard" estimate area for writing the line items of the estimate. Because this was a hail storm, the adjustments were pretty straight forward. This carrier also required Polaroid photos and supplied us with 10 + packs of Polaroid film a day plus paying us $2.00 per photo.
While I have never used Don Wallen's "Claims Systems Software", I have worked for Don and his son Dennis. Don is a true pioneer in the Software for Adjusters and one of them most knowledgeable adjusters I have ever had the pleasure to work with. His design of Claims Systems, (now Boeckh) in proof positive that an old tried and true program can still prevail. Don's son Dennis, is still writing software and has done a lot to transform their adjusting company and it's way of doing business. While I am considered by some an "old duffer", I still welcome the new computer era in adjusting.
PS The first carrier I referred to does not now REQUIRE hand written estimates, however would probably accept them if you would reduce your bill to them by $10.00 per claim. Some things never change. |
David G. Dye (Davidgdye)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 8:32 am: |
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Gale,
Immediately before Hurricane Andrew, I had purchased my first notebook and I had a program Countrywide...., I don't remember the full name of the program. I do remember that I didn't have time to learn how to use the program, so all of my estimates were handwritten.
Out of 100+ adjusters, I only recall one who submitted computerized estimates. I do recall he had no problem in getting his work product approved. The fun started after he left, massive errors in room sizes and materials. But he did have a pretty product.
I knew that it was only a matter of time til we all had to be computerized. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 11:21 pm: |
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Since it has been nearly a year and CADO has grown by leaps and bounds perhaps some of the new members and visitors would add more names of adjusting software they remember from the past that paved the way for today’s vendors. Does anyone remember a case where a carrier required hand written claims and refused to accept computer-generated claims way back when? You do not have to state your name or age. J |
Jim Flynt (Jim)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2000 - 5:56 pm: |
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The Microsoft Pocket PC Computer announcement which Tom mentioned can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/pocketpc/ |
Tom Joyce (Tomj)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2000 - 4:07 pm: |
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Did you all see Microsofts announcement, release of a pocket computer appears to be a step above the palm and operates on Micro CE, could be interesting if some of the estimating programs will be compatible |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2000 - 10:23 pm: |
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Dennis thank you for your interesting history about CLAIM SYSTEMS. It explains why we saw a higher level of technical professionalism in the Boeckh product than the others. A 6 – 10 year head start makes a difference. Last year I was surprised to hear that more than one major Boeckh client had to revert to the DOS version because of crashes with their Windows version. Equally surprising is how Boeckh could not go forward with the head start they got by purchasing Claim Systems and become the industry leader.
Equally interesting is if history is about to repeat itself? DDS claims to have signed a five year marketing agreement with Boeckh. From sources in each camp it seems clear that buying DDS was Boeckh’s preferred choice. Will they still wind up buying DDS in the end? If they do will they wind up killing DDS or is the something that DDS may do on its own? What is the normal life cycle of an adjusting software company any way? These are questions that remain to be answered.
There is no question that consolidation will continue to take place in the industry as it struggles to develop an adjusting package that is truly easy-to-use and truly cost effective in the eyes of a new generation of adjusters. Within a year or two the masses that are not computerized will have to do so or get out of the industry and the huge number still running DOS software will have to do the same.
Over the next several years I expect we will see large sums of money spent by many parties trying to be the first developer, the first vendor or the first carrier to be truly web based. By that I mean the adjusting software and all files will be on one web based server system so no paper will be generated. This will happen but I expect it will be five years before the broadband wireless systems will cover enough of the US to make it practical for most players. It may the Betamax vs. VHS story all over again.
In the mean time all parties that are going to survive will embrace today’s proven and affordable technology. Electronic filing will become the norm. Digital cameras will soon being producing higher quality photos than the 35 mm camera is today. Bandwidth will continue to broaden and we will stair step up to the next level of technology. Will it happen over night? I doubt it but it will be relative rapid. The next five years will have seemed like a short period of time in 2005. |
Dennis Wallen
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2000 - 4:21 pm: |
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Around 1980 Don Wallen and Tom Falconbury formed a company called Claim Systems with software by the same name. The program ran on TRSDOS which ran on TRS-80 (Radio Shack) machines. The IBM PC and MAC weren't even around yet. Around 1985 it was ported to the IBM PC running MS-DOS. In 1987 the program rewritten by Dennis Wallen (son of Don). At that time E.H. Boeckh approached Claim Systems with a marketing agreement. The software was licensed as Boeckh Claim Systems. When Boeckh was sold by American Appraisals to Mitchell, Claim Systems sold the system rights to Boeckh. If you wonder how I now all this.... I'm Dennis. I believe the initial system was one of the first if not THE first. |
Les Gardner
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 03, 2000 - 12:08 am: |
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In 1990, I started out on ICS/NCAT developed by Mike Daniels of Spring, Texas. It is a DOS program and uses a "Tic sheet" with code numbers to enter information. It is still a good program albeit obsolete. |
S.Jenkins
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2000 - 11:09 am: |
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Before CMS there was CCMS. I believe Gene Stillwell (creator of both) was one of the originals with NFIP, possibly a contemporary with
Postava and Dean Ownby (?) Along came Walter Pilot
and Gene changed CCMS to CMS, both super good
flood programs that were ahead of their time. The
similarities between the old versions of CCMS and
Simsol are remarkable to say the least. |
Greg A.
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2000 - 2:37 am: |
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Gale,
Not only remember Quick Claim AND Flex point, but still have my original program, it came on 2 disks and was dos based. You remember DOS right? |
THE PHANTOM
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2000 - 11:04 am: |
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To Newbie
You are no "NEWBIE. Dusty Rhodes' program was one of the first I remember. Sherman Monk and Harlen Perrin also had an early program. State Farm used a program at one time before Xactimate put out by Compuserve (sp.). |
newbie
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2000 - 7:34 am: |
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How about the little package that Dusty Rhodes put out...don't remember the name but we used it for a short time |
Gale Hawkins
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2000 - 10:58 pm: |
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That is good Scott I did not realize they were one and the same. There was a Quik Claim, Inc. in the early 90’s that produced QUIK CLAIM - Claims Management System. I guess in time it just became CMS. The names associated with it at that time was Gene Stilwell and Bob Ellenburg but someone may be able to provide more information. The following proves we latecomers did not invent the “hype” surrounding adjusting software. This is the first couple of lines from an old undated letter. I am not saying the "hype" was not true.
Dear Adjuster,
It is my pleasure to have so many adjusters now using Quik Claim’s CMS software program. The number of users has exceeded 200 and is still climbing. Very soon CMS will be the finest claims management software, and we owe it all to you end users. |
Scott A. Wiens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2000 - 9:55 pm: |
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Does anyone remember the name of CMS before it became CMS? I believe it was Quick Claim. Gale, I have heard of Black Cat. I believe it was developed by someone out of Dallas but I can't remember much more than that. |
Gale Hawkins
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 - 12:24 pm: |
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Keep those names coming but I am afraid some may have already been forgotten. I heard the name "Black Cat" once and I think it may have been for flood losses. Does anyone remember seeing a program by that name? |
Karen Murphy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 - 9:22 pm: |
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anybody remember CMS? oldie used for pilot. |
Dick Benson
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 21, 2000 - 10:12 am: |
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My first experiance with a commercially produced estimating program was called CAPS from a gentleman from Houston Tx. Like many I used a spreadsheet type of product that was home grown also. |
Dave Bennett
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 8:55 pm: |
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Gale, I recall the first Dos based program we used at Maryland Casualty was CUC, based in the Carolina's I no longer have the paper work and for all I know they may still be in the market all though I have not heard anything. Of course you have Marshall & Swifts Dos program and I believe Boeck had one out as well. As for the regional programs, they're still there selling by word of mouth, just can't recall the names but there's one base out of Baltimore POWER POINT I believe, One in Maine, One in Connecticut. Can't help you other wise. |
Curt Overby
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 9:39 am: |
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Gale My first experience with a computer program was with Allstate in spring of 82. As I recall it was simply called property estimating program. I believe the program was developed by Allstate as I remember they claimed to have 3500 man hours in it.Was quite simple by today's standards. |
Horace Smith
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 12:07 am: |
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Gale
Going way back, when the general contractors solicited the claims offices, they would be asked if they had compiled a price list. Many contractors did perfect detailed unit cost price lists and some of them were actually reasonably complete and fair. These were manually done, no computers were around. Some carriers would take several of these contractor price lists and make a composite list. (sometimes using just the lowest figures, rather than averaging figures.) But,like today, when it was settlement time, it was give and take. Cheers. |
R.D. Hood
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 11:56 pm: |
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Gale,
There have been so many that have passed thru my hands , it is difficult to remember. One was NES (National Estimating System) of Youngstown , Ohio
It was developed by an ex-contractor Jim Murphy, and maybe it is still in use. My version started back in 1984 and i used it till 1998.(Among others)
It is BTW a DOS based program that IMHO is a kick a$% estimating program, but does not favor the reporting and diagrams and such.
BUT in a pinch, it could eat every windows based program for lunch on the input, ease of operation etc. As with progress, some are winners and others not, ces't la vie. |
Ghostbuster
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 8:41 pm: |
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Gale,
An early source of information was the book by Paul I. Thomas, 'How to Estimate Building Losses and Construction Costs', first published in 1960 thru Prentice-Hall, Inc. This is considered the Bible of the trade. Mine is a 1963 second printing. The Library of Congress Catalog Card number is 60-13896. We also used small pocket size books such as The Bluebook of Cleaning, Reconstruction and Repair Costs that dated back to 1964, a variety of sheets cross-referenced for room dimensions to figure wall and/or ceiling areas, slide rules and in the early 1970s, pocket calculators. Whoa! What a Rush that was! |
Gale Hawkins
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 8:19 pm: |
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Over the past 20 years there has been a number of property adjusting software packages sold. Some had wide spread sales, some were regional and others may have been only used by one or two companies. It does not matter what platform they ran on but most were DOS based. The first package I ever saw was EZ-Bid in 1993 but that was relative late.
The reason I would like to gather this information is I really would like an introduction or perhaps a chapter in my book that covers the early history of property adjusting software. Since it will be 4-5 years before “Blind Faith and Dumb Luck” or what ever the final title turns out to be may be published, I what to get started this gathering this type of information before some retire and may no longer visit CADO. Naturally you can email me but I request that you post if at all possible because other adjusters can help fill in the blank spaces that you may have about a package that was not widely sold 15 years ago.
Here is some of the information I would like to have about each package you remember. Again please post any information you have because it will jog the memory of others.
Name of Software
Name of Company
Name and any info about its author(s)
What operating system (OS) did it run under, like CP/M?, DOS, Apple, etc?
What hardware did it run on?
A summary containing whatever information you feel might be helpful in getting the next generation to see how and by whom technology came into being in the adjusting field.
Actually there were charts and other devises that were developed to aid the adjuster prior to the event of the computer and any info on these items would also be helpful. Thanks |
