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 Pocket Total can
save you valuable time. Imagine saving 30 minutes per appraisal over the
course of a day. Conservatively, that's almost 5 hours a week, roughly 30
hours a month, and nearly 11 days a year. Think of all the things you
could do with 11 extra days! Okay, on
to some boring stuff. Many of us are skeptical in nature and we have
those technical questions buzzing in our minds. Here are the top
frequently asked questions our customers have asked us. (Feel free
to contact us if you have additional
questions.) |
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How does Pocket TOTAL work with Apex? |
| Apex software has created its integrated version of Pocket Apex. From within Pocket TOTAL you can launch Pocket Apex, which allows you to seamlessly draw and save a sketch into your appraisal report. The sketches you create with Pocket Apex are fully editable in Apex IV Windows upon synchronization with your desktop PC. | |
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Does the release of Pocket TOTAL for Pocket PCs mean you're abandoning Pocket TOTAL for handheld PCs? |
| No. Pocket TOTAL 3.0 will also work with many of the older handheld PCs provided that they meet the minimum requirements to operate the program, specifically the Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC. | |
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What level of software do I need in order to use Pocket TOTAL (Standard/Pro/Enterprise)? |
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While you can use Pocket TOTAL with any
level of WinTOTAL, the Standard version of WinTOTAL does not have sketching,
photo management or the Digital Workfile, so much of the information you would
gather with Pocket TOTAL would not transfer into your report. Because of this,
it makes much more sense to use it with WinTOTAL at the Pro and Enterprise
levels. Remember, though, you do not have to be a WinTOTAL user in order to make good use of Pocket TOTAL. With its open XML data standard, it can be used with any appraisal software that is XML capable or AI ready. Non-WinTOTAL users should call their software vendor to check their Pocket TOTAL compatibility. |
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How do I purchase Pocket TOTAL? |
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Pocket TOTAL may be purchased through our secure website at www.alamode.com/Pocket or by clicking on the Pocket TOTAL shortcut in the WinTOTAL Appraisal Desktop. You may also call one of our sales representatives at 1-800-ALAMODE to place your order. |
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How do I get updates? |
| Pocket TOTAL updates will be downloaded directly to your Appraisal Desktop synchronization folder when you get Instant Customer Updates. The next time you sync your PPC with your desktop PC, they will be downloaded into your PPC. (See "How are files transferred?" for more details.) | |
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Can I create a PDF with Pocket TOTAL? |
| Pocket TOTAL is a tool designed to help you gather field data more accurately and quickly. It eliminates the need to retype and associate information, such as photos, once you return to the office. While you can't create a PDF with Pocket TOTAL, once you transfer your data back to your desktop PC, you will have all the information there to complete your report and create a PDF as you normally would. | |
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What do I need to run Pocket TOTAL? |
| Pocket TOTAL requires the Windows CE environment to function. It's not compatible with Handspring devices or the devices using the Palm operating system. We highly recommend Dell Axim™ X5. From the brilliant TFT color 3.5" screen to the Intel® XScale™ 300 Mhz processor, and a weight of less than seven ounces, it's almost as if an appraiser was on the design team. With a version of Microsoft® Pocket PC 2002 Premium and pre-installed Word and Excel applications, it's the perfect companion Pocket TOTAL. Click here to learn more. | |
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How do I install Pocket TOTAL? |
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Before installing Pocket TOTAL, you will need to
install Microsoft ActiveSync® from the CD that came with your PPC. To get
started, make sure you have the following items:
• The Pocket PC Companion CD that came with your PPC
In addition, you may also need:
• A serial cable (some Pocket PCs do not ship with this cable)
In
order to install ActiveSync: Since the Pocket TOTAL setup files are copied to
your desktop PC at the time WinTOTAL is installed, there is no need for a
separate installation CD. The process by which it gets installed to the
PPC is done through WinTOTAL: |
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How does my Pocket PC connect to my desktop PC? |
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Pocket PCs use a Microsoft program
called ActiveSync® and a hardware device called a "cradle" (included with the
purchase of most PPCs) to connect to your desktop PC. The first time you
connect, ActiveSync will launch its Partnership Wizard to set up a
"partnership" between your Pocket PC and your desktop PC. This, in effect,
introduces the two and lets them "get to know" each other. After the
initial introduction, your Pocket PC will "sync up" with your desktop PC
whenever you place it in the cradle.
If you have used another mobile device and have sync'd it with your desktop PC, you will need to delete the previous partnership. To do so, follow these directions:
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How do I start appraisal reports? |
| The easiest way to start a report is to use WinTOTAL to clone an existing report, and then place the cloned report in your Synchronize folder. After synchronization, the cloned report will be available in Pocket TOTAL. Simply tap the file name to open the report and begin working. Alternately, you may begin a new report right on your PPC. After starting Pocket TOTAL, tap File and then New to start a new report. Or, tap the new document icon in Pocket TOTAL's toolbar. You will be prompted for the report name, the form type and folder for the report | |
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How are files transferred? |
| When you installed Pocket TOTAL, a Synchronized folder was created in your Appraisal Desktop file cabinet and in Pocket TOTAL's Report Manager. Simply move or copy any file you wish to transfer to the other system into the Synchronized folder. Your file will be transferred the next time you connect - even if the Appraisal Desktop isn't running. | |
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What are QuickLists and how do I use them? |
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QuickLists work in a manner similar
to the way they work in WinTOTAL, though they look a bit different. In
WinTOTAL, you can see your QuickList items along the left side of your open
window. In Pocket TOTAL, they will appear as a popup list, which looks
much like a common dropdown list. After the program is installed, your
QuickList entries should transfer over automatically during
synchronization. When you get to a field where QuickLists are defined,
you'll see them in a popup window on the screen, or you'll see a button
indicating the QuickList is there. Simply double-tap an entry to use it.
To choose whether the QuickLists display as a list or as a button, follow these directions:
You can also add QuickList entries from within Pocket TOTAL by using your stylus to tap and hold a text entry. When the window pops up on your screen, simply tap QuickList + to add the text entry to your QuickList. [Note: WinTOTAL users may confuse WinTOTAL's Recently Used Comments with Pocket TOTAL's QuickLists, because they look so similar; however, they have very different functionality. QuickLists must be created by you and are permanent, so you can use them time and time again. On the other hand, WinTOTAL's Recently Used Comments are temporary, and only the most recent will be found in a field's drop-down list.] |
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What are critical fields? |
| Critical fields contain items that most typically need to be gathered and/or verified onsite. When editing data in the form, you have the option to switch between: All Fields, Critical Fields, and Empty Critical Fields. This feature was designed to keep you from forgetting to note important items and prevent a return trip to the property. For instructions on customizing critical fields, visit the Pocket TOTAL area of the Appraisal Desktop, and click on Utilities. | |
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How does Pocket TOTAL handle Digital Images? |
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Pocket TOTAL has the ability for you to read images from a Pocket PC camera or
from your camera's memory card. The Pocket PC operating system has a
built-in understanding of memory cards and uses them in much the same way your
desktop PC uses floppy disks. Because of this, any digital camera
that uses a compatible memory card will work with Pocket TOTAL.
To get to your digital photos from within Pocket TOTAL:
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