UAD FAQ for Athena Users
You're an Athena user. You need to be able to write and deliver reports using the new Uniform Appraisal Dataset. Here's what you need to know:
Will Athena (WinTOTAL v4.0) be made to be compatible with the UAD?
No. Unfortunately, Athena's decade old form engine simply cannot handle the changes needed "under-the-hood" to support the upcoming Uniform Appraisal Dataset.
Does that mean that I'll have to switch to a newer version of WinTOTAL?
No. You can optionally choose to continue authoring your reports in WinTOTAL Athena, then move them into WinTOTAL Aurora or TOTAL 2011 to complete the required picklist items and ensure the report is UAD compliant.
What should I do if I decide to upgrade to a newer version of WinTOTAL?
You can find a download link and your authorization code for either Aurora or TOTAL 2011 (both of which will be UAD compliant) in the "My Account" section of our website. Just visit www.myalamode.com and login with your username and password.
Which newer version of WinTOTAL is right for me?
Neither Aurora nor TOTAL 2011 is "better" than the other – just like a Lexus isn’t better than a Prius or vice versa. They simply serve different people. Our goal is to provide appraisers with the best possible tools to get the job done. Part of that is not dictating how you work.
You can find an excellent comparison and FAQ about choosing the right version for you at http://www.alamode.com/appraiser/total2011/faq
If I decide to continue using Athena, how will I complete and deliver my reports?
Because Athena's decade old form engine cannot support the required changes needed for UAD, if you choose to continue using it you will need to finalize and deliver your reports in either TOTAL or Aurora to ensure compliance. Just write your report as usual, then save the report and open it in TOTAL or Aurora. When you swap to the UAD compliant version of the form, our Real Time Validation rules will automatically flag any fields that may be in error.
I have other questions about UAD, not related specifically to Athena. Where can I learn more?
You can learn more about UAD, and our implementation for TOTAL 2011 and WinTOTAL Aurora by visiting the project page. Just click here.
