Ask Andy – ACI – The Appraiser's Choice

Updates on Updates

2010-06-18T21:14:00Z

I've been fielding questions recently about certain Windows updates and optional components that ACI software might use, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to chat it out.

Two of the most common questions we field are about MSXML and .NET Framework. In order to understand how these updates work, it helps if you just think of Windows as a box of tools. And as a Windows user you have the option to add more tools to the toolbox. ACI software will sometimes ask Windows for a certain tool that you may or may not have. Windows Update and Microsoft Update allow you to go to the "Windows Hardware Store" for more tools.

That's it! That's the heart of it. So why these two? What do they do?

Let's take the .NET Framework. It installs a "library" on your machine that other software programs can use when needed. Many different programs can share that library which also has the effect of reducing clutter on your machine. For example, you could have five programs that fully install a ton of the same files that each would need to operate, OR each of those brands can call out to the .NET Framework to reference certain common functions; thus reducing the installed size and complexity of each program .

MSXML is similar in function under the hood; but it's "target audience" is more web-based stuff. I know that our programmers are probably cringing at that overly broad description but hey, I'm the guy with the ACI blog! Having an updated MSXML version means ACI software has the tools it needs to deliver your appraisals to your clients (MSXML means Microsoft Extensible Markup Language, an internet communication standard)

And did I mention these optional pieces (MSXML and .NET) are free? I knew you'd like that. Microsoft just asks that you have a legit copy of Windows to install them (I hope no one regrets buying Vista from that shady looking character at the flea market).

As always, if you have questions about the updated-ness of your ACI or Windows, call our Tech Solutions team and give us a chance to do some investigatin' and updatin' with you.

@ your service,

Andy

My Two Cents on 2010 Appraisal Software

2010-04-27T19:30:00Z

I'll just come right out and say it: I'm a numismatist. Yep—I collect coins. I actually collect many things, coins being one of the more common hobbies I devote in my free time. Recently I was thumbing through my spare change, and I noticed the new Lincoln cent. Have you seen one? This marks the first new redesign of the US one cent coin in a loooong time. Pretty sharp lookin'. Shiny, new design on the reverse side.

If you happen to stumble across one of these new coins, go ahead and give it a flip and listen hard… notice there's no sound. A dull metallic "tink" and that pretty shiny 2010 coin spins through the air only to land silently in your palm. Now take out an older penny, say 1978 (the year ACI was founded) and give it a flip. Hear anything different? You should hear an angelic ring as it lofts and falls.

See, back in 1982 the price of copper made the US penny too expensive to continue to manufacture out of brass (95% copper, 5% zinc). So the US Mint switched and made the cent with a silver colored zinc center, wrapped in a thin layer of shiny copper. To the human eye it was the same old penny; but the “flip test” revealed that it's missing the ringing sound. And if you scratch it and peel back the copper you can see the thin brittle zinc structure under the surface. I feel that it was the right decision to make for the US Mint; but the one cent piece lost some of its soul in 1983.

So how can we apply this to appraisal software? We don’t feel that you should have to compromise the look and feel of the product to move forward. ACI2010™ retains a classic look and feel—while still adding shiny new features and functionality. No stripping of value. It remains the fast and fully featured product that you rely on to satisfy your clients.

Perform a WebUpdate, check out the new videos on the product and services… you will find that our product is solid and has that great feel—along with exciting new features at your fingertips.

Literally my two cents,
Andy @ ACI

Shave and a haircut- 64 bits

2010-02-08T18:20:00Z

If you bought a new computer recently or if you have been looking for one, you've seen or heard about "32bit versus 64bit", or "16bit compatibility".
But what does it mean for the average appraiser?

This blog will hopefully define some of these phrases and make you more comfortable with the terms. I'd like to present it interview style, with me interviewing myself. I'm sure there's a more professional way to present this but talking to myself feels so right…

Andrew: What does being 64bit even mean?
Andy: Good question, Andrew. That speaks to how much data your computer's processor can simultaneously handle. Appraising software in Windows started out in the 16bit era (Windows 3.1), upgraded to 32bit technology for the last decade or so, and now is beginning to see 64bit technology become affordable/practical for the average PC user.

Andrew: Say again?
Andy: If you think of your computer as a city, with downtown's office buildings as the processor; the number of lanes of your highways leading in and out of downtown would be the 64bit width, and your data are the cars on that highway.

Andrew: Ah, so having more lanes in my highway to downtown means more traffic, and slower right? Would a 64bit computer be slower?
Andy: Well, not really—because with more highways, the intelligent city will also have more parking. That's where RAM comes in. A 64bit computer can handle far more RAM (random access memory, basically elbow room for your software) than a 32bit computer can. So more highway lanes to your city means more cars, with more parking, and makes an efficient city. Having a 64bit machine means more data, more RAM, more powerful computer.

Andrew: Should I upgrade my 32bit machine to a 64bit machine? Or buy a new one?
Andy: Only if you're unhappy with the performance of your current machine. Appraisal software is not too memory intensive so there's often improvements and tune-ups that can make your 32bit machine behave just fine. Filling out forms and delivering reports is much less work for your computer than designing a fighter jet with a three dimensional engineering program.

Andrew: Computers are usually backwards-compatible, right? All my stuff will work fine?
Andy: You'll find that most of your software will still work, but some won't. For example, some 64bit machines don't come built in with a "16bit subsystem"; or a slow lane for your clunker cars (if I'm not DRIVING you crazy with my auto analogies yet). That means that some copies of newer Windows don't have the ability to run old software. I've not seen many problems running 32bit software (the most common software out there in the wild) but there are always exceptions.

Andrew: How will I know how a possible upgrade would affect my office? I have a business to run, I'll have you know!
Andy: Your best bet is to call in to our Technical Solutions department (800-274-8727) and let a tech take a look at the software you have. We can give you advice about what might work and might cause problems if you move to a 64bit computer.

Andrew: OK—hit me with the pro's and con's for my office technician. Don't soften the blow—go full techy on me!
Andy: Pros: MS is going to end support for XP in the next two years or so, so you might as well upgrade to 7 on any new machines and get that OS situated in the network, start getting users comfortable with the new look. Plus, in 64bit architecture, you can stuff up to 16gigs of beautiful RAM in there. Yeah, yeah the kernel-mode virtual addy space is up to 8TB but we're talking Windows user-mode space. Cons: no 16bit subsystem so DOS apps and older 16bit apps are going to flake, the user might have to upgrade to newer sketching/mapping software if their stuff is too old. Also, some 32bit apps have issues; let alone finding device drivers for older scanners/cameras/printers. So search for those before committing to an upgrade.

Andrew: Well, that was informative. You're… something… arencha?!
Andy: Sure thing Andrew. If you have questions, remember to check in with the experts. It's been a pleasure talking with our self.

And the number one tech support call is....

2009-09-09T15:00:00Z

*Drumroll...followed by dramatic crash of the cymbals*

"Hey Andy, how do I..." Yep, it's true, over half our calls every day are quick questions about how to do something. It's not that I don't love talking to you. Anyone who's met me or attended one of my trainings knows that talking is almost an Olympic sport for me. But the average caller can usually answer his or her own question faster than dialing 1-800-274-URAR (Yeah, that's really our phone number.)

Try this exercise. Let's say you want to know how to export your templates. That's a fairly common "how to" call. In your Report program, click Help, Contents. Click the Search tab. Type EXPORT TEMPLATE, and hit Enter. Presto! Two topics appear, one on exporting templates; one on general template advice.

Or, try this: If you are on our website (well, you're reading this blog so you must be!) you'll see a rectangular box and magnifying glass on the left. That's the site search. Type EXPORT TEMPLATE and hit Enter. There you are; another couple of answers right at your fingertips. Appraisers are a hardy and self-sufficient breed. If we show you the tools, we're sure you'll find them useful.

And, if you have some suggestions, feel free to share! Remember, our success as a company goes hand-in-hand with your success as an appraiser. Knowing and using the tools available to you will make you efficient and hopefully contribute to your well-being!

Searchably,
Andy

Who loves ya?

2009-07-22T15:00:00Z

Valuation 2009 is just-kinda-sorta around the corner, so I thought it would be appropriate to tell a tale from the road. Pay close attention because it even has a warm, fuzzy moral at the finish. Move over, Aesop, Andy's throwing around parables!

So last year at the Valuation Expo, an appraiser and her son approached our booth to inquire about how the ACI software can help her appraisal business. After a great conversation she turns to me and asks, "Who is your most important customer?"

Without skipping a beat, I responded, "You are, of course."

She looked at me with complete skepticism for throwing out such a cheesy, canned response. We shared a good laugh together, and then I said, "Let me qualify that!"

You see, there are many approaches to customer service, depending on your focus. Are you trying to bang away calls as fast as possible? Are you trying to train a user? Are you trying to sell something? Are you working with a group?

The easiest and most efficient way to service the customer is to go tunnel vision and focus your entire troubleshooting world on the current caller. If there are no distractions, the spotlight is on "the tech, the caller, and the problem," taking us well on the road to resolution!

In today's digital world it's easy to get roped into a telephone call after setting down the fax you just received to answer the email that your Smartphone just reminded you about. You know what I'm talking about! Multi-tasking can be useful, but sometimes the line of communication must involve two parties, and that's it.

Distilling a customer service experience down to just the basic elements of "tech, caller, problem" leads me to the inevitable conclusion that YOU, the customer I'm currently working with, are my most important customer.

Philosophically,
Andy

P.S. Mark your calendars for Valuation 2009 in New Orleans, November 8-11.

Alive 'N Kickin'

2009-02-19T15:00:00Z

Hey everyone! Long time, no blog, eh? Please accept my blogology as my department has been slammed steering appraisal offices over to ACI. In case you didn't read it on the wire, the ACI appraiser family grew significantly with the acquisition of Day One^® and United Systems^®. In just a few months, my tech team has learned a ton about AppraisalStudio™ and NOVA™, and at the same time we've managed to help appraisers solve problems on those platforms. It's quite fascinating (ok, maybe “interesting” is a better word) that the same troubleshooting techniques apply across platforms. You got any other brands you want me to take a crack at? Call me up and let me know!

We've seen a significant upturn in the biz—I haven't spoken to so many busy appraisers which is great news for our industry. Hopefully you are one of the busy offices. WHAT ARE YOU DOING READING MY BLOG? YOU'VE GOT WORK TO DO! Of course one might say, "What are you doing typing a blog, Andrew? Don't you have calls?" And I'd have to agree that's a valid point…hence the long pause since my last entry on the site.

The Daytona 500 comes to our neck of the woods this week which tells me that Spring will soon sprung and hopefully make life in the field a little easier. If you are reading this from a Southern latitude then you're probably enjoying the same mid-60's weather I am. I'm going to change the subject before I irk our northern readers! And speaking of help documents and videos (see how smooth that subject change was?), have you checked out all the "help thyself" information we've packed into the ACI website? We've got a series of short narrated videos and you can even search our help docs by keyword. In addition to the videos and documents our Training department is hosting daily trainings on various topics, free of charge: ACI2009™ Report, ACI2009™ Track, ACI2009™ Rsearch, and ACI Sketch™

I almost forgot—we've got a Store as well that you can use to renew services like Support and eServices any time. Check it out by signing in at the ACI Store and see what your office is eligible to upgrade to or renew.

Well, I've got to go now. Stay warm, stay busy, and get educated about your ACI products for free! Trust me, you're not going to wear the site out.

Efficiently yours,
Andy

Viva Las Convention

2008-11-06T22:00:00Z

Hey readers,

Hope you're all well out there. I've been working on my PC-monitor tan in preparation for our ACI2009™ release and the Valuation 2009 Expo. I've got my sequined jumpsuit and dark sunglasses; I have practiced my hip thrust and upper lip curl; and I'm ready for Vegas. For those of you who've bought a slot to attend the Expo or even a seat in my ACI Training, don't worry—I won't really be wearing spandex and delivering my training in a crooning warble.

This is an exciting time because we're really, really happy with the changes in ACI2009™. There's a ton of new features. Here are my favs:

All Shook Up with side-by-side page/comp viewing!
It's Now Or Never with full page addendum editing
(edit right in the normal addendum view!)
Suspicious Minds, look out for Pictometry aerial photography!
I Can't Help Falling In Love with movable floodmap icons!
Return to Sender with more eService vendors built in!
Are You Lonesome Tonight? Maybe some of the 27 new forms will keep you company!
And much, much more!

But wait, call within the next 10 minutes and we'll throw in 30 days of free MapPoint location mapping! Did you know that if you're already an ACI customer with an active Premier Service Subscription, you're eligible for this upgrade—free—on every machine registered to your account?

Anyhow, I'm going to get back to work but I just wanted to chat you up about the big changes.

A Little Less Conversation, eh?

Andy

It's not a hurri-CANT, it's a hurri-CAN!

2008-08-26T16:00:00Z

Hello readers!

So I was thinking about a blog entry today and found it hard to think of a topic with all the wind and rain battering the palm trees outside my window. How on earth am I ever going to think of a creative and informative topic in the midst of a tropical storm?

And then it hit me! Not the branch, an idea! Why not take a few minutes to remind everyone about the backup features in ACI and some general PC tips?

Autosave! In Report, click Options > Environment. On the right side, make sure that box is checked to Auto save every X minutes. I'd recommend anywhere between 5 to 9 minutes. One minute autosave can cause memory logjams, so I'd stay away from that.
Backup reports! In Report, click Options > Environment > File Management. Do you have a check next to Backup Reports To? If so, then every report you create will have a .ABK counterpart that may survive spilling diet coke in the keyboard and random power outages.
UPS battery backup? They're cheap and reliable and having even a 5 minute Uninterruptable Power Supply under your desk just may save your computer from those bad power flickers and power surges.
Tape backup / external hard drive backup on the server? If you've got a fairly large amount of data on a server, make sure your network people also have set up a good backup system for your data folders. We'd be happy to talk to them to show them how to tell where the important ACI data is.
CD/DVD backup is available on most PCs. This might be a good solution for a small appraisal shop without a central server. Refer to your CD burner software for how best to create a backup CD, or call us for advice.
Consider subscribing to an ACI online office solution such as ACI365™ which allows for account management, client contact, order generation, and other tools from anywhere you have an internet connection—perfect for conducting business on the road!

Stormatically yours,
Andy

ACI Sketch-tacular

2008-07-21T17:45:00Z

If you've been unplugged or neck deep following the Code of Conduct, we recently returned to Floorplan country with the launch of ACI Sketch™. Some of you ACI lifers may remember good ol' LaserDraw from the days of DOS. The response to ACI Sketch has been primo and many of y'all out there in ACI-land have already jumped on board.

But before the product launch, and as part of our ACI Sketch orientation, we here in Support were challenged with a contest: Draw me a dream! Superbly sketch! Fantastically floorplan! Architecturally amaze! You're probably thinking "No big deal, just draw Barbie's Dream Mansion. You guys are ACI Support, you know what to do" but therein lies the rub: Many techs (myself included) are much more familiar with the INTEGRATION of sketch programs, as opposed to the in-and-out expertise of USING the sketch programs. I draw simple squares and make sure they come back to the report and bring over the correct Sq Ft values. Now we're going to have a contest to sketch out MC Hammer's house? Hmmm... should be interesting.

You, as appraisers and office managers and experienced users would take great delight in watching us learn some of the tips N tricks you use every day to get efficient sketches pushed out the door. There were times I wanted to eat my mouse in frustration until I did the unthinkable for a Computer Nerd; I checked the help manual! And it gets better, our Training and Documentation dept even made videos! I don't even have to READ? ALRIGHT!

(in case you're wondering, all our training vids can be found here:
http://www.aciweb.com/training/videos.aspx)

Initially I started drawing a space shuttle and a palm tree. We are in Florida, right? But I settled on a more serious design and constructed a mansion that would make Trump blush. We even had techs drawing cartoon characters (drawing arcs is so easy with ACI Sketch). By the end of the first day most of us had our ACI Sketch printouts on display in the employee lounge for judges Randy, Paula and Simon (see American Idol). Just like Idol, the competition was fierce. I challenged myself to win so I could share the glory with my fellow sketch constituents via my blog. Unfortunately my dream was not to be. One of the judges pointed out that I didn't place any doors in my MC Hammer mansion. You can't touch this!

Rectangularly yours,
Andrew

Just let it go, man...

2008-05-27T13:54:00Z

Be still, my heart! New PC's don't have floppy disk drives! What's that all bout? Yeah, so the average appraisal doesn't even fit on a floppy anymore. So what? Yeah, floppies are hard to keep track of and go corrupt too often. Who cares? They are a part of my digital heritage! The good old days. EVERY computer should have a floppy disk, right?

It's blasphemous and preposterous. Who cares if technicians can boot Windows repair disks from CDs and jump drives. I want my good old 3.5" coffee-stained, dented metal 1.38 megs of storage floppy drive.

Ok, so I have not actually used one in a few years. But that's beside the point. Isn't it? It's a matter of principle. In fact, it's the principal principle.

Oh—hold on, it's my therapist on the other line... Let me get that and I will pick this blog up in a few mins.

Hi—I'm back. My therapist says I am hiding from the future. She says I am hanging on to the obsolete in my life. She says I need to let go of the things that have been superceded and updated. Embrace change. She also said it's time to turn off the night light, but that's a whole other issue.

How many of us have an 8 year old digital camera? You know, the one with SIXTEEN WHOLE MEGABYTES of memory on board. You may not even be using it but it sits there in the back of the drawer, cluttering your space. Who's got Street Atlas version 7 installation CDs rattling around? Or fourteen old ACI install discs?

Who's got Win98 and is afraid to update to XP or beyond? Why do we do this? There's a level of comfort in sticking with a known evil. But there's a point where you have to clean house.

So I took a look around: I'm still hanging on to frustrating problems long gone. I'm still hanging on to bad habits that I should have outgrown. There's an ancient Zen parable (or maybe I made it up? Who knows?). Two monks were walking along a road. They approach a river, and as they are about to cross, an attractive young lady approaches as well. One of the monks, in a manner MOST unacceptable, swoops her up in his arms and carries her across the river. The other monk watches in horror as almost every vow of temptation and reservation is shattered by this intimate act. They get to the other side of the river and the young lady parts ways. The monks continue on. Secretly, the stodgy monk is FUMING at the other. How could he do this? How dare he? Finally, he can't take it anymore and says "Why, brother, did you pick that woman up and carry her?" The helpful monk looks at his angry brother and says "I set her down on the far bank... why do you carry her still?"

And then they were enlightened and Andrew took another call. Anyhow, you can see where I am going with this. It helps to clean house (mentally and stuff-wise) and set down the past, march cheerfully into the future, and keep on keepin' on.

I'm going to go throw out my old DC40. Have a good day...

Andrew

The Street Scene

2008-05-15T12:00:00Z

Hello! Welcome to my blog!

The powers that be offered me a little spot on our website to post my musings and thoughts on the things I see all around. I happily signed on... if any of you have ever met me, you know that getting me to talk is easy.

I hope that I can amuse you and educate you and learn from you as well. Let me tell you a bit about myself:

I have been a part of the ACI family since 1999 and I am currently a member of the Support leadership team. I love going out on the road and meeting appraisers. I love being part of the 'rent-a-nerd' program and visiting your offices to train and troubleshoot. I love speaking to you on the phone and solving problems with you and hearing your stories.

My workspace is cluttered with gadgets and sticky notes and cactuses* in pots. I have an aquarium on one side of my desk that houses the official Un-Official Tech Support Mascot, Entree the Crayfish. Entree looks like a small lobster and he provides me with countless hours of zany crustacean fun. (Maybe I need to get out more...)

My coworkers are my friends and my family. We are an eclectic group of solution-minded individuals who strive for good customer service. Every human being is a 'work in progress' and I try my hardest to help educate and enlighten the Support techs while staying open to new ideas myself. My days are filled with communication.

And that's what this blog is about. Communication. There are lots of press releases and news stories and industry articles out there. Many ways that an appraiser or tech can keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry. However, much of the information out there is the View From The Top. High ranking gov't officials. CEOs. Spokespersons for agencies. This blog is from the other end... one of the guys down on the street level. You and I communicate every day. Sometimes you get me on the phone. Sometimes you see me in the training. Sometimes I am emailing your tech with advice about your new server.

We are a community working together to solve problems and Get The Job Done Every Day and I am happy that technology today allows me to meet even more of you! I hope these blog entries will benefit you in some way... as they will undoubtedly benefit me for writing them.

Anyhow, I'm going back to work now. But it was a pleasure to type this and I look forward to many happy posts.

Bloggingly,
Andrew

* Yes, the plural is 'cacti' but 'cactuses' gets peoples' attention better.