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Gale Hawkins
Registered User
Username: Gale
Post Number: 187
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 7:23 pm: | 
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Scott on a personal note I would like to say that both Eric and Donna here think you are as honest as the days are long and I agree with them (by the way that is an expression and does not mean you are more honest in the summer months) plus you are much more tactful than that guy that is forever promoting PowerClaim, which I have a personal problem with from time to time and would like to give a swift kick from time to time.
Personally I expect you are the best and most knowable promoter of the use of technology in the property insurance adjusting industry and I am certain other leaders in the industry know that fact as well. Moving back home can be hard but it has its upside as well. Best of luck with the changes.
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Scott Wiens
Registered User
Username: Digitalsaw
Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2002 - 12:23 pm: |
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Just wanted to drop a quick personal note to let all of you know that my family and I have moved to Central Florida (50 miles North/NorthWest of Orlando). This is the area my wife is originally from and we have moved back closer to family. I will be working from my home for MS/B as a Field Service Account Manager for the next three months and hopefully longer. If you need to contact me you can call the Hawkins office of MS/B and dial ext. 125. My message will instruct you as to how I can be reached.
My e-mail will remain the same.
Scott Wiens |
Scott Wiens
Registered User
Username: Digitalsaw
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 3:41 pm: |
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Hello to All!
Just a quick note to say thanks to all of the folks that came by the booth at PLRB. We enjoyed meeting a lot of you face-to-face and getting a chance to see some clients we don't normally run into. The weather was great and we had a great time.
I also wanted to let everyone know that we have a new release scheduled for the end of the summer (just in time for hurricane season) that will have some new and improved features associated with it. If any of you using the program have specific recommendations or suggestions for the program or have found any problems you would like to bring to our attention please e-mail me and I will pass them on to our developers to look over.
Thanks again and hope to hear from all of you soon.
Scott A. Wiens
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Scott Wiens
Registered User
Username: Digitalsaw
Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 10:18 am: |
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Kelly,
I just wanted to take a moment to respond to your post regarding the Administrator. I spoke to the Pacesetter conference a year ago (2001) about the Administrator system and how it would work. We released the software 5 months after that conference. The Administrator/ComCentral Claim Management System has been successfully loaded into many companies including both insurance carriers and independent adjusting companies. It has greatly simplified the job of the adjuster as they are now downloading the claims electronically, not having to type the claim file into their IntegriClaim software, and they are also sending claim files back electronically for examination by the company.
All database and software upgrades are handled through the Admin for adjusters working for those companies on the system and the companies are able to generate detailed management reports on the claims their adjusters work.
You are correct in that American Family has required Pacesetter Claims to use Xactimate. Regarding what carriers and independent companies are using the MS/B IntegriClaim well, let's just say we are continuing to experience positive growth in all markets and the program is only getting better. If you have any other concerns or questions please give me at call at the MS/B Hawkins office. I would be glad to speak with you.
Scott Wiens
MS/B Texas |
Kelley Roberson
Registered User
Username: Kelley
Post Number: 18
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 10:04 am: |
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Hey Chuck,
They were promising this feature at the Pacesetters conf. in Tulsa 3 yrs ago. The feature is suppose to be slicker the snot on a snails back. I do not know if they have it up & going as of yet. PCS has gone to Exactimate since that's what AmFam is not demanding.
Which carriers are still claim using MS/DDS as their choice of software? |
Scott Wiens
Registered User
Username: Digitalsaw
Post Number: 16
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 9:41 am: |
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To All IntegriClaim Users and Personal Friends,
Hello from MS/B. Just wanted to let all of you know that I will be at the Florida Winstorm Insurance Conference in Orlando Florida this next week. I will be conducting a session called "Estimating: Tips and Tricks By MS/B" which will be offered as part of the registration fee on Monday, February 4th at 3:15 PM. I will also be at the golf tournament (FORE !!) and will be at the other conference events. If you need to find me just call my voice mail at the office at (888) 337-9556 ext. 125 and I will check my messages on a regular basis and get in touch with you.
See all of you there.
Scott Wiens
Claims Consultant
Marshall & Swift/Boeckh |
Ghostbuster (Ghostbuster)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2001 - 9:49 pm: |
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Yeah, since you and I were both born in the same year, we ARE getting old. I like to irritate my wife by being a curmudgeon and remembering out loud how things were and still should be. Things like cars with tall tail fins, simple and fast DOS programs, old fashioned hardware stores and womens hair that stood up tall and proud and did not move in 30mph breezes!
The diffrence twixt us small Davids and the corporate Goliaths is that our 'cushion' of cash flow is awfully thin compared to the big boys. By our very nature, our overhead cannot be trimmed any less than it is now. To work for less means we work for free or even less!
Personally, I would love to be able to buy your Powerclaim, and Scotts DDS, and a new Xactimate.
But that will not happen, because my industry has said I am the best buggy whip they ever saw, but no one is driving buggies any more. But, that's OK. I'll just continue to pass the towels and play the piano at the We-No-Tell brothel till the big one hits and all us semi-warm bodies are needed again. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 - 10:55 pm: |
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Scott what about Boeckh and Marshall & Swift users 
On a more serious note many others and I are thankful that the MS/B organization and others have been willing to make a financial commitment to the CADO convention. A lot of changes are taking place that affects everyone in this industry (more work for less money) and CADO is a wonderful tool that will continue to work to move the industry forward though these times.
We can all long for the good old days when we did less work for more money but technology is not going away. We think things are bad in our industry but just think about the AT&T’s and the MCI’s that got adjusted to fat per minute rates years ago and now the $.02 per minute is about to be broken and will be broken. The treadmill is in place because we all have to embrace even newer technology to keep from getting farther behind.
Has the rate of change really increased that much or is it just that I am getting old? When I was a kid I used to hear the older folks talk this same talk. |
Scott Wiens (Digitalsaw)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 4:41 pm: |
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To All DDS Users:
I wanted to make a clarification on the DDS Advanced User Forum that will be held at the CADO convention on Wednesday, March 28th at 1:00 PM in Room 1. The initial thought was to make it an advanced user class and put it in a training format. We have since decided to make it soley a round table discussion forum for DDS users to share tips and tricks and to talk about common changes our users would like to see in our software. Because of this change there is NO registration fee and the only criteria for admittance is being a DDS user.
If you are interested please sign up and we will look forward to hearing what you and your fellow DDS users have to say.
Thanks.
Scott Wiens |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 11:41 am: |
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Scott thanks for the update. It seems MS/B is serious about outsourcing solutions. It seems they will be the first to offer everything from settling of claims to providing underwriting services. With MS/B basically anyone with enough money could start a carrier by subbing everything out to MS/B and marketing the product by Internet or agents if I read the release correctly. Look forward to seeing you at WIND for more details. |
Scott Wiens (Digitalsaw)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 5:00 pm: |
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To All DDS Users:
The acquisition of DDS and E.H. Boeckh by Marshall & Swift is now official. You can read the detailed press release located at http://www.dds-solutions.com/news/pressrelease.htm on the DDS Website.
All the employees of DDS look forward to continuing our relationship with our loyal customers as well as working with the current customers of Boeckh and Marshall & Swift.
If you have any questions about the merger please contact Peter Wells of Marshall & Swift. His contact information is at the end of the Press Release at the address above. |
Scott Wiens (Digitalsaw)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 - 2:56 pm: |
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Tom,
Glad to hear things are working well for you. I am having our tech folks follow up with Chuck to see if we can isolate the reason for his difficulty. Hopefully we can nail it down. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you and others at the CADO convention.
Scott Wiens |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 11:37 pm: |
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Test #2. I was called by a company examiner who wanted a proof of loss taken on a file that had been archived. This was a five page estimate. Once again, with abated breath, I opened the file from archive, checked the math for errors and gadzooks, every thing was perfectly in tune with the original estimate. Presto, I popped a couple of keys, printed the proof of loss and RC proof of loss, whacked out a couple of envelopes and sent them snail mail to the good insured. (sigh of relief) Too bad the USPS is not this accurate and responsible. |
Scott Wiens (Digitalsaw)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 4:01 pm: |
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Chuck,
Thanks for your comments regarding the DDS 4.5 upgrade. I am going to assume you have called the DDS Support Line and have gotten your problem solved. If not, please call us up at (888) 337-9665 and I will make sure our Lead Technician, Kevin Eddington, takes care of your problems.
I can see your comments sparked many additional comments regarding software compatibiltiy from version to version etc and there were some assumptions made about our software which I would like to clarify for our users.
Every DDS software release has a built in expiration or drop-dead date (typically 12-18 months). This is by design to avoid the problems software vendors have had in the past of being shackled to older, out of date versions of their software. Our programming team conducts extensive testing to ensure that a new release of our software can open files from all current versions (usually no more than two other versions). DDS software has built a reputation of being very stable and reliable and our programming team takes pride in the fact our software does not crash hard drives etc. We think that is one of the major advantages of using DDS products.
Your problems with that particular estimate written in an older version of the program may be related to some type of corruption of the data files. Our Support Line should be able to help you out with that and again, please call me at the number above if I can assist you in any way.
I also want to thank you for your input on the multi-photo select. We have gotten some input from other users who have given us some suggestions to speed up the process and we are evaluating them right now. Keep those suggestions coming.
Thanks as always for your comments and we appreciate you Chuck as one of our loyal customers. |
Jason M. Purcell (Jmpurcell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 2:53 pm: |
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David,
As Gale has already stated, I was responding specifically to the following point which was originally set forth in Chuck's post:
> 2. Claims created in DDS 4.5 can't be opened by older versions.
> If you are emailing claims to vendor who has an older version
> or the similar Boekh program and you upgrade, suddenly it will
> be fruitless to email as the vendor can't open and print the claims.
I did not, and do not, claim that there will ever exist a valid reason for the current version of any program to fail to open data files created in a previous version.
Rather, I stated that it is irrational to expect a previous version of any program to open data files created in the current version.
The latter would require clairvoyance on the part of either the program or its developers.
Respectfully,
Jason M. Purcell
jason@powerclaim.com |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 10, 2001 - 11:55 am: |
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Thanks Tom for taking the time to test the math on your system. Lots of people will sleep better tonight because every developer lives in fear of math errors. Perhaps Chuck can get an answer for the reason he was reporting a difference in the math if he can dupicate his earlier results. |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 10, 2001 - 10:48 am: |
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I pulled out 5 files that had been archived prior to my installation of DDS 4.5. All of the math was the same as the math sent to the companies. Nothing changed at all. One was a sizable estimate, so I had some serious concerns about math changing. Thankfully it had not changed. In fact, the file re-opened for additional damages on a rather large fire loss. The only problem Janice and I have run in to is importing files from her laptop to mine. It shows adj1, and not my name. I have a feeling that is related to our Compaq laptops, not the program. I use Win 98 and she has Win 95. DDS was informed of the problem and are working on a resolution. As far as the photos taking longer, I cannot comment on that, as I use the Proclaim photo software and am extremely pleased with the program. It saves me a ton of time and does an excellent job of printing on plain bright white paper. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 09, 2001 - 9:27 pm: |
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David, as usual your points are correct but Jason’s reply was correct because he clearly stated he was replying to Chuck’s #2 point. Without question the math should never change in a claim just because it is opened by a newer version of software.
Chuck did not say DDS 4.5 changes an older file to the data in the new upgrade and I doubt it does because the prices and line items are saved inside of the claim. If they were dynamically pulled from the materials and labor database then DDS could not email a claim and give the receiver the ability to open it with their proprietary file reader much the way Simsol does I understand.
Chuck can clarify his situation but perhaps he meant the estimate totals did not match the printout from the previous version and not that the figures in the line items had changed. If that was the case then based on the way PowerClaim and I expect DDS works it would mean the mathematic formulas had changed. Of course that would raise another set of questions. Perhaps the printout design could have changed and the figures in the same locations now are referring to different things.
David another factor you need to consider is that Simsol has been around a lot longer and is apparently the most financially sound adjusting software vendor in the market place today. This experience and money can be a factor in quality.
Another factor to consider is the speed of change at DDS. Just based on the information in this thread you see the DDS version 4.1 was projected for this past July/August and as of January 2001 they had out 4.5 or about one release per month.
We at PowerClaim have more releases than Simsol I am certain and partly due to the fact we have been playing catch-up with the rest of you guys because it was only in 1997 that we gave the first demo of PowerClaim (10 years behind Simsol) and it was just last month when we added mobile home. David I will be kind to you and not get into any important features that PowerClaim as added that now has the others in catch-up mode.
Although fast development is important it can increase the risk of math errors and the like. The major plus side is the software should be fresher and puts the slower developers at risk of losing out technologically. Of course everyone has an aversion to change and not all change is good. Having new releases continually to fix the bugs introduced in the preceding release is stressful for both the developer and the end user but it can happen. David remember now that currently DDS has to make changes for not only its users but Boeckh users as well so it is possible for DDS users to see changes based on that reason alone.
David it is good to see that Simsol still offers a 30-day free trial. I can remember in DDS’s heyday they offered a 30-day free trial. It will be interesting if their new management leadership starts offering the 30-day or even longer free trial period again. As they say, “What goes around comes around.” Keep up the good work at Simsol so we at PowerClaim will keep working hard on the area or two where you at Simsol are still technically ahead. |
David P Bennett (Whitey)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 09, 2001 - 6:15 pm: |
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Jason, there really is a problem here. As I read the problem there are actually several wrapped up into one. First, the inability to read a file from an older version to a newer version, should not require a complete update of the older version. Surely there is a tool or program which could be emailed with the file, to allow the recipient to read the file. Second, and I believe this to be the far greater problem, if the data in an older estimate, whether archived or not, changes to the data in a new upgrade, you have a serious integrity problem.
For those of us who archive a 10 or so files a month and lets say we upgrade in February, we get a call to reopen a closed file from January, so we unarchive the file open up the file and low and behold all of the original pricing has changed to the new program, We have a problem. What if we are working on a file with a loss date of November 2000, and we update the system in January 2001, but the claim isn't closed. As I understand all of the data and pricing on the November 2000 claim is now changed to reflect the upgrade pricing in 2001. Obviously this is not correct, we should be able to continue to write the estimate on the pricing and data for November 2000 and we should be able to unarchive a file and review it without having the data automatically changed. I might add that we should be able to change the data on that unarchived file if we so desire.
I guess my next point is probably expected. You won't have this problem with SIMSOL. They have developed the program so that data does not automatically change with an update. You can review a file without having to upgrade your complete system. Actually any estimate in SIMSOL 2.0 can be read, no matter what upgrade of 2.0 your dealing with. Now if your on an older version and SIMSOL did preadvise users of the change, you can still read and print an estimate written on 2.0 or higher with the use of tool,. Does not require a complete upgrade of your program. (Although personally, I would want the upgrade because of the expanded database's).
Now this ability eliminates archived file data from being changed, eliminates the changing of data in current estimates being worked at the time of the upgrade and keeps the integrity of your work product.
Check it out. SIMSOL.com for a free 30 day trial.
Yes I do have a preference and yes I do have a relationship with SIMSOL. But as I have said previously, everyone has a program that they are sold on, comfortable with and feel confident with. I had to comment here, because I could not accept a program that automatically changed data on a previous written estimate or on a current estimate I was working on.
Have A Great Day |
Jason M. Purcell (Jmpurcell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 09, 2001 - 9:01 am: |
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Chuck,
In defense of DDS in regard to the following statement:
> 2. Claims created in DDS 4.5 can't be opened by older versions.
> If you are emailing claims to vendor who has an older version
> or the similar Boekh program and you upgrade, suddenly it will
> be fruitless to email as the vendor can't open and print the claims.
It is unrealistic to expect any program to mystically "know" how to read a file created by a future version.
Customers endlessly (and rightfully) request improvements to software. This is positive, as it encourages developers to constantly evolve their products. However, these improvements often mean that the resulting data can not be understood by previous versions.
This is unavoidable. Try opening a sophisticated WordPerfect 9 file in WordPerfect 6, 7, or even 8; a Quicken, QuickBooks, or Microsoft Money file in a previous version; etc. At best, the older version will attempt to interpret the newer file format, ignoring data that it does not understand. This may cause incorrect formatting or other miscalculations. More often, the product will simply refuse to open the file, announcing that it is "unrecognizable" or "has been damaged."
Though I cannot speak for DDS, in the case of PowerClaim, there is really no reason not to upgrade, as 1) Hawkins Research will ship the newest release to any current customer upon request, and 2) the newest release is always available for download to both current customers and those who do not yet wish to purchase PowerClaim for use in creating their own claims but who still need it to view claims created by others. Yes, there is a (usually relatively minor) learning curve involved in upgrading, but the benefits of "bug fixes," increased stability, enhanced ease-of-use, and added product capability nearly always outweigh this consideration.
I am certain that DDS undertakes every reasonable precaution to keep its new data files as compatible as possible with previous versions of its software (as does Hawkins Research in the case of PowerClaim). Nevertheless, loss of compatibility must sometimes be accepted as a cost of software advancement.
Best Regards,
Jason M. Purcell
software developer
Hawkins Research, Inc.
1.800.736.1246
jason@powerclaim.com |
Chuck Deaton (Chuck)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2001 - 8:50 am: |
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Several notes regarding an upgrade to DDS version 4.5.
1. It is not totally backward compatible. If you have archived claims, claims that were archived using an older version, when you unarchive them they will be changed. The problem I had is that when I unarchived an estimate the amounts did not match the older printed copy.
2. Claims created in DDS 4.5 can't be opened by older versions. If you are emailing claims to vendor who has an older version or the similar Boekh program and you upgrade, suddenly it will be fruitless to email as the vendor can't open and print the claims.
3. I attempted to load a document I scanned to a file on the C drive. I did not have a disk in the A drive. This caused DDS 4.05 to post an error message until a Tech gave me some help.
4. The new way of loading and labeling photos is more time consuming. |
Scott Wiens (Digitalsaw)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2001 - 3:23 pm: |
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To All DDS Users,
DDS will be posting an offical press release on the DDS website DDS-Solutions.com regarding the Marshall & Swift and DDS relationship when the new arrangement is finalized. Please keep checking the site over the next week or so. I will also try to make a post on this forum.
Thanks for your patience. |
John A. Postava (Johnp)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 7:40 pm: |
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For those of you who may care, the new owners of Marshall & Swift / Beockh / DDS (Boston Ventures) owned a company called CMD group up to last year. CMD Group is the parent company to the R.S.Means Company (our strategic partner). BV is now actually taking a "second crack" at the insurance claims and underwriting markets. Time will tell if BV learned anything about the business since their last foray into this little niche market. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 12:34 am: |
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Kenneth a more basic question a few of us have is who bought out Marsh & Swift if it is no longer a family owned company as I gathered from the article at http://www.marshallswift.com/IndustryNews/Bcr_8-00/bostonventures.htm
Perhaps someone could define an ownership alliance? Who makes the business decisions in an ownership alliance? It seems that Boston Ventures knows a lot about the construction information industry and has lots of cash from the article.
From what Ron Pylant was saying at NACA I gathered that Marshall & Swift plans to kill off AccuPro and use one sales force to market a Marshall & Swift version of both DDS and Boeckh with the first noticeable change being that the DDS version will drop the Craftsman Book Company database and pick up Marshall & Swift databases.
If this is the case then we basically may see three formerly distinctive property adjusting software packages being replaced with one package over time. One would think this would be a real plus for their users because with today’s development tools and technology they could create a more easy to use and functional adjusting software package than the tools and technology of the mid nineties permitted.
Of course this would put the heat on the rest of the adjusting software vendors but that would not be a bad thing because as we know with the use of newer development tools and technology the lower the price of adjusting software becomes and the more of it will be used so it is a Win-Win for everyone. |
kenneth wayne smith (Ksmith)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 9:04 pm: |
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looks like dds is to be purchased by marshall swift. one of the very best features of dds is the extremely competent and quickly available help from their support staff. sure hope marshall swift doesn't start fooling around with that support. |
Scott Wiens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2000 - 3:33 pm: |
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Tom and Janice,
Thanks for the good advice on photos. I wanted to make a comment about the digital photography module in DDS and a change for the new 4.2 release. In the new release you will be able to import photos in groups instead of one at a time. This will greatly speed up the process of working digital photography. The important thing is, DDS still compresses those photos to make them more manageable in size and facilitates electronic file transfer. I have worked on the beta and it works slick.
Thanks Tom and Janice for your loyalty to the DDS MLP and we hope to have you the latest and the greatest version very soon.
Scott Wiens
Operations Manager |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2000 - 12:21 am: |
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A suggestion on the photo printing. Janice and I started using Epson heavy weight matte paper, product #SO41257. I really makes a diffence in photo quality. 50 sheets is a little over $12.00. That is .12 cents per photo. Still much cheaper than 35mm and it looks like a 35mm if you have taken the time with your Mavica to take a good picture. The Mavica has many tricks and is able to take excellent photos. We use the Mavica FD83. Just remember to change out the paper when you start the reports. I load my photos from the floppy disc to a 250 zip drive. That way I can retain the photos for an extended period of time and reuse the disc. It loads faster from the zip too. I create a file on the zip and name it the name of the insured and date taken. If you have more than one disc, name the zip file insured 1 and insured 2.
We also developed a four photo template in MS Publisher that does an outstanding job. Picture quality is excellent and have had zero complaints from any of the companies. In fact, they have complimented the four photo sheet.
This will be demonstrated at the CADO convention.
We all need to learn how to properly take photos with digital, or digital will be a thing of the past.
By the way, we still both use DDS and love it the more we use it. |
Scott Wiens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2000 - 11:05 am: |
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Greetings from DDS!!
The past few months have been very exciting at DDS as we prepare to release the new DDS ComCentral product. This claims administration system will allow an adjuster in the field to send claims to and from an IA company or Insurance carrier with a click of the button. No more attaching claims to e-mails and importing and exporting them into your DDS system. It is all done automatically and FAST. True electronic claims transfer is here. Once you see it in action you will know why all of us are so excited.
Speaking of seeing it in action, we hope to see you at the ACE conference in Phoenix on October 25th – 28th. We will be demonstrating this new software live at the Technology Demonstration Day on Wednesday, October 26th from 1:30 – 2:00 PM. We would love to have you come out, see ComCentral in action, and answer any questions you might have. Check out the details at http://www.claimsmag.com/ace/Agenda/tech.asp.
Thanks again to all of you for your support and the great suggestions you send us. The new DDS MLP will have some powerful new features suggested by our many users. We are getting great reviews from our beta-testers currently testing out the new version. Keep those suggestions coming and thanks again for your patronage. We look forward to serving all of you for years to come. |
Jonathan Kost (Jonkdds)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2000 - 6:26 pm: |
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Hey there Catadjuster.orgers
I wanted to post a response to the Request for information from Chuck and Harold. First off, thanks for the input on the program, Harold. There are a couple of those issues with the scanning, photo sizes, short form and such that our tech support can help you with to make some of those dreams come true and as for the other ideas - they are being evaluated right now by myself and the rest of the development team. You'll probably see some of those very suggestions addressed in the 4.1 version of the software (due out in around 3 months). On the subject of digital photos and printing, since that seems to be the hot one. DDS Development is in the midst of evaluating the current Photo technology and actually tweaking it to give users better quality photos at the same managable size as they are currently used in the program. The use of JPG format photos itself does deteriorate the quality of the photos a bit but we are working to minimize the effects on printouts. We have not, however, built into DDS any sort of limitation on DPI settings. I am researching why you might be experiencing problems printing out at any higher print settings. One thing to be sure of is that your system is set at 24 Bit True Color when images are imported and printed as this eliminates andy "washing" effects on the printout. If you have any further questions or suggestions we welcome them, so please call me at 888 337 9665.
Jonathan Kost
Development Manager,
Digital Documentation Systems, Inc. |
Chuck Deaton (Chuck)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2000 - 9:50 am: |
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Reality is that printing photos is a combo of quality and speed. I would like for DDS to post the maximum print resolution handled. If there is no advantage to slow high resolution printing then I want to print a lower faster resolution. |
Harold J. Geoffrey (Stormadjuster)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 9:21 pm: |
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I have been using DDS for a couple of years and find it to be one of the best estimating programs out there. I do feel they could work on the following areas.
1. Currently DDS does not support high resolution printing. I believe the current maximum is around 600 dpi. It is pointless spending all this money on high quality printers and camera’s if the software does not support them.
2. I would also like to see the ability to add an arrow to draw attention to a specific area in the photo.
3. The process to load a scanned image is difficult .
4. A reserve caption need to be added to the short form report or the ability to modify the fields.
5. I would like to see the ability to add a room diagram to the estimate.
6. I presently email my files to our clients. I would like to see the ability to enlarge an image once a file is downloaded. The examiners cannot see much detail in a 3” x 3” photo.
I hope this e-mail was taken in the spirit in which it was intended. I have used just about every program out there and truly do feel this is the best. If I am incorrect or have mischaracterized the short comings of DDS, I apologize.
Harold Geoffrey
PS I use dragon preferred USB (speech recognition) and found that it saves me a tremendous amount of time in dictation and data entry. I appears to work fine with DDS. |
Scott A. Wiens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 9:03 am: |
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NFIP Convention
DDS is scheduled to have a booth at the NFIP Convention in Austin during the first week of May. A couple of us are also trying our hand at the golf tournament. If you are planning to attend please stop by our booth at the vendor display and say hello. We enjoy meeting our users face to face. |
2New2BaNewB
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 12:22 am: |
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Gale:
THANKS for trying to help me out.
Scott:
I will try feeding the paper in on the side tray. I let you know if that works. |
Scott A. Wiens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 9:44 am: |
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2New2BaNewB
Greetings from DDS. Sorry we have not responded sooner to your posting. I believe you have spoken to our technical support about this issue already but I thought I would go ahead and clarify the issue with the Xerox printer. We have had a problem in the past with multiple tray printers conflicting with our software. The problem is that the DDS Multi-Line Pro is designed to search for the default tray and some drivers used for these multi-tray printers can confuse that search process. A work around is to feed the paper in one-by-one which of course is time consuming. We can create fixes in subsequent versions that will resolve the conflicts with these printers and are currently working on a solution for your specific model of printer. Please stay in touch with our Technical Support team and we will try to get you the fix as soon as possible. |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2000 - 10:47 pm: |
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2New try downloading the newest driver from Xerox by going to http://xerox.com and clicking on the yellow button that reads DRIVERS near the right side of the screen, next to the ORDER ONLINE button. This will take you to the Drivers and Utilities page. Click on the down arrow in the text box under the heading Product. You will find your printer near the bottom of that list and choose it. If Windows 98 is your Operating System the skip on to Language and choose English so you get a short list of drivers after you click the GO button.
Try to download the top one, xdeng3.exe dated 2/10/00 10:33:10 AM – 4.2 MB unless that is the date and size of the driver file you currently have. |
2New2BaNewB
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2000 - 9:38 pm: |
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The printer is a Xerox WorkCentre XD105f. The printer drive has been deleted and reinstalled and then updated, still no change.
The error reads as follows:
Zspool32: this program has performed illegal operation and will be shut down.
The details of error are as followes:
ZSPOOL32 caused an invalid page fault in module QDPRINT.DLL at 0157:710644d9.
Registers:
EAX=00000001 CS=0157 EIP=710644d9 EFLGS=00010202
EBX=0089fb48 SS=015f ESP=0089f954 EBP=00000000
ECX=80f346c0 DS=015f ESI=00000000 FS=2917
EDX=00007bf8 ES=015f EDI=00000000 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
39 51 04 77 38 8d 45 01 2b d2 6a 00 c7 01 04 00
Stack dump:
80f3c2b4 0089f9a0 0089fb48 00000001 710627e9
0089fb48 0089f980 0089fb48 0089fa20 0089fb48
00000001 00000000 0011a847 71062940 0089fb48
0089f9a0
The print jobs make it to the spool but sometimes they just stay their and other times they print.
I have talk with Xerox and they say it is the DDS program. The program never shuts down as the error states. I have an HP 970Cxi which prints fine. Thanks Again |
Tom
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2000 - 6:10 pm: |
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Janice and I use HP 2000 and HP 895 printers and the material just flies out of them. DDS does not provide the printer driver, the printer manufacturer does. Gayle has the solution and you should follow his advice, as it is good. I agree with you on your opinion of DDS. I used DDS in DFW on a blanket commercial policy with multiple locations, different amounts of coverage per location, and different deductibles per location and was able to set up one file to cover all. Wish I had been able to use DDS during ANDREW. Would have saved me 3 months work. Keep it up you fellows at DDS. You have an exceptional product.
Tom & Janice Toll |
Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2000 - 11:31 am: |
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2New2BaNewb it sounds like your printer driver has a bug in it because that spooler32 error message is coming from Windows, not DDS itself. If your printer is a HP try going to http://www.hp.com and click on the search button and then type in the error message you are getting. Usually they will have a fix you can try which is most often another printer driver for you to use.
If you do not have any luck finding a fix just post the model of your printer and the complete error message or email me at gale@powerclaim.com and we see if we can’t help you find a solution because any Windows software package could trigger the error you are getting. Regardless what is causing your problem other readers will be interested in the solution. I am sure in is not a DDS problem technically speaking except that you are not happy with the situation and need an answer. |
2New2BaNewB
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2000 - 12:41 am: |
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Is anyone else using DDS having a problem printing on multifunction or printers with multiple paper trays (one tray and a side input)? I recieve a spool32 error. DDS says this is a minor problem (Only 5 Users). They said they are having problem with HP and Xerox printers. I have been waiting on a fix since Febuary. Their software is good. I'm faster on it than Xactimate '99 but I can not print it. I was just wonder how widespread this problem is and if anyone may have a solution besides buying another printer. I just paid $700 for this one this past summer. Thanks in Advance for Any Help |
Nathanael O'Reilly
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 4:33 pm: |
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We recently added E-Help, a new reference tool, to the DDS Web site. E-Help allows DDS users to find answers to their questions quickly. E-Help contains the majority of the contents of the DDS Multi-Line Pro™'s Online Manual. It allows users to find information on topics in three ways: via a table of contents, via a topical index, or via a keyword search. E-Help will constantly be updated as new features are added to the DDS Multi-Line Pro™. Feedback from users will be instrumental in ensuring that E-Help meets the needs of DDS users.
Nathanael O'Reilly
Webmaster
Digital Documentation Systems, Inc.
www.dds-solutions.com |
Scott A. Wiens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 11:49 am: |
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Phil
I read your post on the CADO forum and wish to apologize for any difficulties you have had with the DDS system and our technical support. We take pride in the fact that our system is very stable and that our technical support is second to none. I am not sure of the details of your problem and would have to go back over our technical records to find them out, but as you stated, the DDS Technician you dealt with did stay with you until your system was fixed and running. I also wanted to let you know a few things we are currently doing along the lines of weekend technical support.
We currently run technical support from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday. We have been giving weekend technical support for almost a year now with good results. Our regular hours on weekdays are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We also extend our hours during storm support and have trained representatives go out on the storm site to assist our users in the field with classes and support.
If you wish to try DDS again I will make sure you receive the same great support all of our other users receive.
Scott A. Wiens
Digital Documentation Systems, Inc.
Web Site: DDS-Solutions.com
Phone: (888) 337-9665
Fax: (903)769-3161 |
bob barton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 9:06 am: |
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dds support....... well i know that whenever i called and someone answered the phone i didnot even have to say who i was...just elevate my voice and say help!!!!!! they knew who it was answered the ? solved my problem even gave me a home phone # of course over time i did not have to call them as much and unfortunatly the last two vendors i worked for have had me use x system but i for one would love to shout i like dds....dds ..dds thank you for helping a computer dummy have a successful first year dds i thank you from the bottom of my pocketbook... |
PHIL HOBSON
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 1:35 am: |
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SORRY FOR THE CAPITOLS BUT USE IT DUE TO MY OWN EYE PROBLEMS AFTER A STROKE- I LEASED DDS FOR ONE PERIOD BUT GAVE IT UP AFTER IT LOCKED UP ON ME TWO CONSECUTIVE SATURDAY MORNINGS IN A ROW SO THAT I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY AM TO GET TECH SUPPORT FOR ROUGHLY 1.5 HOURS TO UNLOCK IT GOING OVER SOME 1650 FILES TO DELETE -10 AT A TIME TO UNLOCK IT. THE SECOND TIME I GAVE UP ON IT NEVER TO RETURN.HUGEWIND@AOL.COM |
Tom Toll (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 7:04 pm: |
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Janice and I have been using DDS for over 3 years now. I have been in this business for 39 years, soon 40. Have tried them all and come back to DDS. If each and every user would take the time to really learn the system, they will find it to be the very best. During non-storm times is the time to sit down for about 2 hours each day and learn how to use the program correctly. Building macros is the answer to blowing the gun when a storm hits. Make and save as many diagrams as you can. Good luck in 2000 and may the vendors treat you kindly.
Tom and Janice Toll |
Don Elkinton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 3:20 pm: |
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Guess I didn't proof read. I am a resident of KC.
Don |
Don Elkinton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 3:19 pm: |
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As a resibent of Kansas City (and a DDS user) I would be interested in DDS employment opportunites.
Don Elkinton |
Roy Cupps (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2000 - 1:23 pm: |
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At the present time, this is my choice of estimating software.
I would of course prefer to have purchased it outright instead of the lease arrangement, but it was not to be.
I feel that the company is adequately staffed for customer support. Always a very important concern, when on storm and you encounter a "glitch".
They appear to be dedicated to becoming the premier vendor in this arena.
The input offered to them, by the adjusters, is always considered and implemented if deemed necessary and useful. Until something "out of sight" happens my dues will be continued.
Dave |
Roy Cupps (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2000 - 1:25 pm: |
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Never had a problem getting help with any the program and related glitches.The only dislike is that I seem to have to travel a lot to get where I want to go. I find other programs more direct to get to the end result when the situation calls for it. Example, 3rd party property damage, appraisals etc.
Tom |
Roy Cupps (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2000 - 1:26 pm: |
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Hello DDS users! As the Operations Manager here at DDS let me say that I am excited about having this forum to hear our users comments.
One of the reasons DDS has grown as quickly as we have is because we listen to our user base and try to incorporate suggestions they make into our software. We also take customer service very seriously. Please let us know the bad with the good and we will promise to follow up with you and do what we can to solve the problem if possible.
Thanks Jim for setting up this forum. WE ARE LISTENING !!
Scott A. Wiens |
Chuck Deaton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2000 - 7:57 pm: |
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DDS has just recently announced additions to their program that will spawn a rash of laptop buying and computer training.
They are adding databases and a system for moving assignments and closed claims over the internet.
A new facility is being readied in Kansas City. At least that is what I think they said. |
bob
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 7:31 am: |
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i am getting an error that says (time incode error)only about a couple times a month does anybody have the same problem. and can anybody give me some pointers on what to do about it |
