a la mode's DaVinci Is the First Real Estate Appraisal Program in the US to Receive...

a la mode's DaVinci Is the First Real Estate Appraisal Program in the US to
Receive the Certified for Windows Vista logo

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 10, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- a la mode, inc.
(http://www.alamode.com), one of the real estate industry's largest and most
mission-critical technology companies, announced today that its DaVinci
product is the first real estate appraisal program in the US to receive the
Certified for Windows Vista logo, ushering in next-generation reliability to
the real estate appraisal process. DaVinci also runs on Windows 2000 and
Windows XP.
DaVinci allows appraisers to easily create floor plan sketches, either at
the office using a desktop computer, or in the field using a Tablet PC or UMPC
and a digital pen. When used on site at a field inspection, DaVinci allows
appraisers to also gather required information, take freeform notes, and
manage photos, in addition to sketching the floorplan.
a la mode's companion desktop formfilling software, WinTOTAL, is
overwhelmingly the most popular appraisal program on the market, with more
than half of all real estate appraisers nationwide utilizing it. All of the
data gathered within DaVinci, including the sketch, stays organized in a
single file that is saved in a native WinTOTAL format, which makes it seamless
and simple to transfer to the final appraisal report.
Until now, appraisers typically used pencil, paper, and a traditional
clipboard to sketch the property and gather data, but that process can easily
introduce errors. It's possible using manual methods to overlook
measurements, be unaware that a measurement is incorrect, or even fail to note
important features of the property being appraised. DaVinci guides the
appraiser through a completely customizable onsite inspection, and provides an
interactive checklist of critical data which needs to be gathered before
leaving the site. An appraiser in the field can also drive by comparable
properties and complete the appropriate sections of the report directly within
DaVinci, ensuring the best comparables are used and that the comparable data
is as accurate as possible. Data is saved in the appraiser's Digital
Workfile, storing a full audit trail of the work done and ensuring compliance
with government regulations and professional standards.
In addition to improving the reliability of the information gathered,
DaVinci enables the appraiser to go directly from the field inspection to the
final report without retyping data or sorting through the subject and
comparable photos, saving the appraiser substantial amounts of time and
effort.
"The real estate industry is undergoing massive technological
transformation, and appraisers are at the leading edge of it," said David
Biggers, Chairman and founder of a la mode. "Microsoft's rigorous standards
and independent laboratory testing allow companies such as ours to provide the
innovative tools appraisers now require, while simultaneously assuring them
that they'll have a positive experience with reliable software."
"Microsoft is pleased that a la mode has earned the Certified for Windows
Vista software logo for its DaVinci application," said Jeff Price, Senior
Director of Windows Client Product Management at Microsoft Corp. "This
highlights a la mode's commitment to providing its customers with higher
quality applications that deliver a more secure, reliable and compatible
experience with Windows Vista."
Thousands of real estate professionals have downloaded and evaluated
DaVinci prior to its release from the a la mode Labs website
(http://www.alamode.com/labs), providing valuable input and feedback as part
of the development process. DaVinci is available for download at
http://www.alamode.com.
About a la mode
Founded in 1985, a la mode develops desktop, mobile, and Web tools for the
real estate and mortgage industries. a la mode's mission-critical products are
used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, agents, inspectors, and lending
professionals to complete the nation's real estate transactions. a la mode's
state-of-the-art offices are located in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and
Washington, DC. For more information, visit http://www.alamode.com.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered
owners.
Press contact:
Chris Low
Product Manager, a la mode, inc.
Telephone: 801-972-6672

Sales contact:
Brian Hedges
Appraisal Sales Manager, a la mode, inc.
Telephone: 800-252-6633

SOURCE a la mode, inc.

press, Chris Low, Product Manager, 1-801-972-6672; or sales, Brian Hedges,
Appraisal Sales Manager, 1-800-252-6633, both of a la mode, inc.