To:       All WinTOTAL Aurora (version 5) users
From:  Adam Calvery, VP Appraisal Products, a la mode, inc.
Re:      Aurora:  March 6th update is ready

Today's WinTOTAL Aurora update is now available on our servers.  To download it, click the “Get Updates” button on the toolbar in your Appraisal Desktop.  At the end of this message is a list of all the improvements in this update.  They can also be seen, along with other important information, on the Aurora Status website.  Click here to visit it.

Today's update is the first in a pair of updates aimed squarely at knocking out a huge number of those “little things” you’ve told us about.   You can see from the release notes below there are a large number of improvements today, touching nearly every area of Aurora. The second update in this pair is even larger. Because it’s so large, we’re going to skip our normal mid-month update and release it at the beginning of next month instead. This will give it an additional two week cycle with our QA and beta testers.

Also in the next update is the new letter sized GP Residential form, and both the legal and letter sized GP Land forms.  As a reminder, we want you to have a complete set of general purpose, non-lender forms.  Our goal with the GP forms series is to not only make the form filling for non-lender work easier, but to also give you a tool for reaching out and actually finding new non-lender work.  To view both the upcoming GP Land and GP 2-4 Unit forms, click here.

Last, the public beta for Aurora’s Desktop Billing is going extremely well.  Right now over 700 appraisers are using it daily, and the response continues to be incredibly positive.  To learn more about it, visit the Aurora Status website here.

As always, thank you for your business, and don’t hesitate to contact me with questions and comments.

Adam Calvery
VP, Appraisal Products
a la mode, inc.

WinTOTAL Aurora (v5) – March 06, 2007 Update

This update contains improvements to many areas of the program, including the Comps Side-by-side and Maps PowerView.

Comps Database Import Wizard

• When importing comps, duplicate information is displayed in red text, making it more clearly identifiable. 
• When importing comps from your existing reports, a problem has been resolved that kept images from certain reports from being imported. 
• A problem has been resolved which prevented certain .CSV files from importing information into the database.
• Hitting the Back button when importing comps from the Files PowerView no longer cause the date filter to disappear.
• Importing comps from a report that doesn’t actually contain any comps, no longer causes the import process to fail for an entire folder.
• In certain cases when using a previously defined MLS import template, the wrong text qualifier was used.  This has been resolved.
• An “Are you sure?” message is now shown if you press the Cancel button while importing comps.
• The "Import photos along with new comps" setting in the WinTOTAL Configuration Utility is now applied to comps imported using the Import Wizard.
• The Help links in the wizard now open context-sensitive help information.
• When entering data into the Excel-compatible grid, if an invalid formula is entered a distorted screen is no longer displayed.
• Certain MLS files could previously produce an "error number = 13" message.  This will no longer happen.

Comps Database

• When adding comparables to your database and a duplicate is found, you can now see the Sale Date and $/SqFt information.
• When adding comparables, the entire address is now checked when looking for duplicate entries.
• An extra entry in the Image database is no longer created when the subject from a report is added to the Comps database.
• Changing the font for comp fields will no longer cause strange characters to be shown when those properties are saved to the Comps database.
• Searching for comparables using the Site View field will now return the correct results.
• The Age field is now shown correctly when duplicate properties are displayed while adding comps to your database.

Comps Side-by-side

• The QuickLists now change properly between the Quick and All tabs in the Comps Side-by-Side view.
• The Change Case option now works in the Comps Side-by-Side view.

Desktop Billing

• Double-clicking the Save button in the Invoice Creator no longer causes an error.
• An error could occur when clicking close on the Enter Client Payments screen.  This has been corrected.
• An issue has been corrected that caused the Appraisal Desktop to lock up when editing appraiser fee splits.
• An issue has been corrected where the wrong toolbar could be displayed in the Reporting view
• An issue has been corrected which caused the appraiser contact to show under the Bill To dropdown in Invoices.
• Appraiser fee tables now require a description before they can be saved.
• Billing information can now be changed on the order form in signed reports.
• Certain characters were not allowed in the Invoice search field.  All letters and numbers are now allowed.
• Clicking multiple times on an invoice no longer causes errors in the WinTOTAL Invoice Editor.
• Clicking save too quickly when editing an invoice no longer causes an error.
• Client fee tables now require a description before they can be saved.
• Column formatting in Fee Setup is now retained when switching PowerViews.
• Column formatting in Reporting is now held when switching views.
• Dashboard is now highlighted when the Billing PowerView first loads.
• Editing an invoice no longer resets your search in Invoices.
• ETA when importing invoices into Desktop Billing is now more accurate.
• Headers in the Billing Import Wizard are no longer allowed to be dragged.
• In certain cases, the wrong payment amount could be displayed after entering client payments.  The correct amount will now be displayed.
• Large numbers are now displayed correctly next to the filters in Invoices.
• Marking multiple reports as paid could cause Appraisal Desktop to lose focus.  This has been corrected.
• New invoices no longer require a fee to save.
• 'Print each group on a separate page' can now be disabled on custom Desktop Billing reports.
• Resizing columns in Fee Setup by double clicking the mouse now resizes correctly.
• Resizing columns in Reporting by double clicking the mouse now sizes correctly.
• Special characters are now allowed in the check number field when entering client payments.
• Steps listed to edit column layout in Invoices are now correct.
• The Billing Import Wizard could be made to crash when clicking pause.  This has been corrected.
• The Billing PowerView could be hidden from view after redownloading updates.  This has been corrected.
• The current balance in Accounting will now display correctly when Appraisal Desktop is not maximized.
• The cursor did not display correctly when hovering over links in Accounting.  This has been corrected.
• The product 'Land' is no longer listed twice in Appraiser Fee details.
• The product 'Land' is no longer listed twice in Client Fee details.
• The Tab key now navigates correctly through the Enter Client Payments screen.
• The Tab key now navigates correctly through the Pay Employees screen.
• The Windows shortcut Ctrl+D now inserts the current date when entering client payments.
• You can now refresh all views in the Billing PowerView by using the F5 key.

Forms PowerView 

• In the E&O view, if a form doesn't have a review script, a message is now shown to explain that there are no review rules for that form.

General

• Reports that contain a letter sized major form and a Digital Half Map page now open correctly.
• The "Keep open even after clicking 'OK'." option in the Contents now will work and leave the window open after clicking OK.
• A problem has been corrected that caused certain QuickList comments to be inaccessible.
• Numeric formatting, such as numbers only and rounding, will no longer be transferred into fields that contain non-numeric information when merging reports.
• Reports that contain letter sized major forms and map pages can now be opened without error.
• The Cover Letter form will now print multiple copies.
• The divider bar between forms can now be used to close forms in your report.
• The image on page three of the 71A form will now print.
• The number of words in addenda pages is now included in the totals shown when spell-checking a report.
• The proper map and sketch pages are now automatically added to Canadian reports with letter sized major forms.
• When signing a commercial report with the "Export report comps into Comparable Database" option checked, the comparables are added to the commercial database instead of the residential database.
• More information is now shown for duplicate comparables that are found when adding properties to your comparable database.
• Multiple scanned page addenda can now be merged into a report.
• QuickLists that contain checkboxes will now be applied correctly when using an Alt key shortcut.
• Switching between PowerViews will no longer cause the Quick and All views in the QuickLists menu to get out of sync. \
• When merging a report with data, the field formatting in the source report will be applied to any field in the destination report that does not contain information.

Images PowerView

• If you search for images in the database, then leave the Images PowerView and come back, your image search criteria will still be as you left it.
• You can now delete entries from your database that are associated with images that have been removed from your system.

Maps PowerView

• Certain addresses were being incorrectly identified as being “approximately geocoded” in a fly out message.  This has been corrected.

Property Presentation Wizard

• Hitting the Back button on the Preview Report step now goes to the Customer Contact Information screen instead of skipping it.
• The correct preview web address is now shown when using an a la mode login that is tied to more than one XSite.

QuickPix

• You can now use the Preview button after retrieving photos.
• After retrieving photos, the new image information is now shown immediately on the previews in QuickPix.
• A scenario has been corrected that would cause the Browse button to disappear next to the “Path To Photos” setting in the camera setup window.
• Changing the File Format setting multiple times will no longer cause QuickPix to become unresponsive.
• The "Retain Image Quality" setting is now saved properly.

Report Delivery

• In some cases, sending a report in Athena format via e-mail and selecting one of the "Don't transmit" options caused the report to be sent in Aurora format.  This has been corrected.
• You are now prompted for login information when using the XSite Delivery Plugin from the delivery link in the expanded report view in the Files PowerView.

Updated Review Script

• Review Short Form - 2006

Workfile PowerView

• You can now select an item saved in the Digital Workfile and use the Print to PDF option in the File menu.
• You can now rename files in the Workfile PowerView.
• A rare scenario that could cause a small image to be shown in the address field of a major form saved to the Digital Workfile has been corrected.
• Restoring a major form and quickly clicking on the Forms PowerView will no longer cause an error.

Form – New (US)

• Environmental Risk Survey [FSA-851 9/20/01]

Forms – Updated (US)

• Commercial Building Comparable [Y2K]
• Desktop Restricted Use Appraisal Report
• UCIAR - Existing Property [Rev. 10/96]
• UCIAR - Small Property [Rev. 10/96]
• UCISAR - Existing Property [Rev. 4/99]
• UCISAR - Small Property [Rev. 4/99]

Forms – Updated (Canadian)

• Letter of Transmittal [Automatic Lgl]
• Letter of Transmittal [Automatic Ltr]
• Letter of Transmittal [Automatic w/logo Lgl]
• Letter of Transmittal [Automatic w/logo Ltr]

Forms – Updated Navigation (US)

• Admin. Appraisal Review [FmHA 1922-16]
• Admin. Rev. for Sing. Fam. [FmHA 1922-15]
• Appraisal Report - Farm Tract [FmHA 1922-1 Old 10/99]
• Appraisal Review [FmHA 1922-5]
• Appraisal Update - No Inspection [Old]
• Appraisal Update - No Inspection 2004
• Appraisal Update [Old 01/03]
• Appraisal Update 2004
• Broker's Price Opinion
• Broker's Price Opinion 1092 [Freddie Mac]
• Cooperative Interest 1075 [Rev. 6/96]
• Cooperative Request 1074 [Rev. 11/94]
• Desktop Restricted Appraisal Report [09/05]
• Desktop Valuation Limited Appraisal/Summary Report [old]
• EquiTX Limited Appraisal Review
• ERC [Rev. 10/94]
• Expert's Opinion of Price
• Field Review - 2000 [Income 10/89]
• Field Review - 2000 [Old 10/89]
• GreenPoint Desk Review
• Manufactured/Mobile Home In-Park Appraisal [USPAP 2003]
• One-Unit Residential Appraisal Field Review Report [Form 2000 12/02]
• Real Estate Sales Data [FmHA 1922-9][Major form ver.]
• Residential Appraisal Review [FmHA 1922-14]
• Restricted Appraisal [Blakewood]
• Satisfactory Completion Certificate [Lgl/Major Form ver. Rev. 2002]
• Satisfactory Completion Certificate [Lgl/Major Form version]
• Satisfactory Completion Certificate with Recertification of Value
• Small Income [old 7/79][Y2K]
• UCIAR - Existing Property [Old]
• UCIAR - Small Property [Old]
• URAR Desk Review
• W-9 Request for Tax ID Number [October 2004][Major form][Supr. Sig.]
• W-9 Request for Tax ID Number [Rev. 11-2005][Major form]
• W-9 Request for Tax ID Number [Rev. 11-2005][Major form][Supr. Sig.]
• W-9 Request for Tax ID Number [Rev. 2004][Major form]
• WAMU Full Technical Review
• WAMU Limited Technical Review  [for non- AI CE Certified Reviewer]
• WAMU Limited Technical Review [for AI CE Certified Reviewer]

Forms – Updated Navigation (Canadian)

• Canadian Residential Summary Report
• ERC [U.S. version]
• Land [Y2K]
• Royal LePage

{151 03/06/2007 TJH}