Dear WinTOTAL user:

As I’ve mentioned in past update notices, some updates are more comprehensive than others, and this update happens to be one of the longer ones. There are dozens of changes, over 60 in all, throughout the program. If you haven’t already, please get your Instant Customer Updates now within Aurora.

Updates have also been made to the XSites again. These are web-based updates to the XSites Business Management that require no action on your part.

The biggest changes visually in this update involve the mapping module. The auto-mapping worked fine for some of you but generated unnecessary confusion and extra steps in other cases. That’s why this update includes the streamlined, more “traditional” mapping tools, and the maps button has been renamed to the more logical “Maps” instead of “net.X”.

I know that some of you will feel that removing auto-mapping is a step backwards, but we expect over time to be able to have a hybrid approach where maps can be optionally pre-pulled but managed in a more ad hoc fashion. The changes will eventually be part of a “workspace scratchpad” feature, where documents and data of all sorts are available for placement inside the report as needed. You’ll be able to have data of different types like photos, maps, comps you’re considering, etc. all “laying around” (sort of like papers on your desk), and then simply insert them into the proper places in the report as it shapes up. Or you can discard them, or keep them in the Workfile. When that eventually is available, we think we’ll have the best of both worlds. Automatically pulled maps will be there for you if you choose along with the other supporting data for the report. But for now, “old school” manually initiated maps are back.

On the renaming aspect to “Maps” from “net.X”, you’ll see in future updates that the net.X data backbone will be properly utilized and make a lot more sense. Our future “one click” synchronization net.X button will be a centralized “send and receive” module, checking to see what data will be coming in (orders, billing changes, contacts, etc.) and all data going out (status updates, messages, billing changes, etc.). You’ll be able to preview and choose what gets sent and received, and then let it go do its thing. You’ll know exactly what’s happening and when. We expect it to be out of beta in April, and at that point you’ll see the “net.X” moniker resurrected.

We had hoped to have the new Appraisal Institute AI Reports™ non-lending forms in this week’s update. However, our beta testers have had enough suggestions that the new forms are not ready yet. We’ll have them in the next update.

Speaking of the next update, we are now at the point that a two-week gap between updates will work better for everyone. The next update after today will be Friday, April 14th, and it will be substantial, with improved versions of almost all of the core components of WinTOTAL.

During the two week gap, we will send out a separate notice with download instructions for the “Rollback Utility”, for those who would like to move back to the older version 4 of WinTOTAL (Athena). That same notification will include instructions for ordering a replacement WinTOTAL version 4 CD.

Thank you again for your business. We think you’ll like these updates and the coming changes as well.

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


WinTOTAL Aurora Update– March 31, 2006

This update contains more than 60 improvements throughout WinTOTAL, but with focus on the core formfilling and file management views.

Obviously, not all of these issues happen every time the various functions were used, but those of you who encountered these situations will be aware of them and know by these references that your issues are fixed.

Formfilling

New Forms

Comps

Mapping

Files PowerView

Contacts

Status

Delivery

General

SafeStart

Appraiser XSites Update– March 31, 2006

Additional core invoicing and management improvements, besides those listed below, are currently being worked on and will be in larger future updates.