Please look this new Operations builder feature that will be in 16d, and give us some feed back as to changes that you may want to incorporate into this feature. It will be available in a near future beta version that you can actually download for our site.

I have been using power claims software for over two years. Their help desk is outstanding & their staff is five-star. Over the past several months I have acclimated myself with several other programs. But by far power claims ease-of-use and continuity are above the rest! I have been an estimator for over 35 years, mostly with number two pencil and ledger.Hundreds of multimillion dollar projects were bid in this form but when it came to create a report  valued at12,000 dollars worth of damage to a mobile home. Via computer, I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. the staff of technicians. I just can't say enough about. 650 plus completed claims later.... When I get through Kentucky, I need to personally thank this outstanding team.      

Mr. Hawkins has outdone himself!

Bob thank you for your kinds words about my staff and me. The staff was pleased to hear of another success story. We were glad to be apart of your success story but the hard part was done by you. I am grateful to have a staff that makes me look better than I really am. Thanks again.

Today we released 16d Beta 3 on the web. The main thing is it includes an Operation Builder that I mentioned in the 10/11/2006 post above. Other than that one new feature there is very little appearance difference between it and Release 16c. While we think 16d Beta 3 contains the final code changes before we make it our shipping version we would like to see more install it and check out the new feature and some fixes that one will read about before clicking to actually start the downloading process.

http://www.powerclaim.com/beta/releasenotes.php

Download Release 16d beta 4 at http://www.powerclaim.com/beta/releasenotes.php if you would like to see a new feature that permits you to enter in a non database item or price change and then right click and click on Add to Database and now that new line item or price change will be saved to the price database for future use.

http://www.powerclaim.com/news/28

Below is a summary of features added:

VERSION Release 16e 12-01-06

NEW: Operation Builder window available as alternate to typing multiple operations into a line item.

NEW: Ability to turn off diary and invoice reminders

NEW: Ability to save custom line items directly from the line item screen

NEW: Detailed report descriptions added to manual.

FIXED: Spell checking selected blocks of text in Short Form/Recap screen is fixed.

FIXED: Adjusted service hours calculation to better handle alternate units.

Hawkins Research Announces the Release of PowerClaim Net Services

MURRAY, KY, U.S. — December 01, 2006 — Hawkins Research Inc., the creator of PowerClaim XML and PV, today announced the release of PowerClaim Net Services, a total claims management solution for the insurance industry.

HRI began developing property insurance industry solutions for adjusters, contractors and appraisers in 1996.  It has continually developed and improved these solutions over time.  With the implementation of the new PowerClaim Net Services, customers will have another technological solution for claims management at their disposal.

PowerClaim Net Services is web-based, and can be used to provide executive management reports, data storage and mining to insurance companies.  It allows managers to keep track of what adjusters are paying for items, create deviation reports, and assign and track claim assignments throughout the company. 

Insurance carriers will also have the ability to generate customized cost databases based on pricing from company adjusters.  By using the pricing overlay feature, pricing deviations that occur in the field can be more accurately reported and help protect carriers from systematic underpayment charges by consumer protection groups.

          HRI is proud of PowerClaim Net Services, and ready for customers to begin taking advantage of its benefits.  The addition of this program will undoubtedly help Hawkins Research, Inc. continue to grow as a company and offer customers a way to stay ahead in the technology race.

Hawkins Research Inc.

406 North 4^th Street

Murray, KY  42071

1-800-736-1246

www.powerclaim.com

Happy New Years from the PowerClaim team. Thanks to each of our customers that help make 2006 another banner year at HRI even without any hurricane activity.

We expect to have the new 2007 databases ready to download to upgrade our current version of PowerClaim XML next week and a complete new release of PowerClaim PV. We have started in-house testing of Release 17 of PowerClaim XML that includes 14 new customer requested features and some of these are major request.

Last month was our official roll out of PowerClaim Net Services which is a web based claims assignment and claims management reporting system that is accessible 24/7. PowerClaim Net Services and PowerClaim XML are designed to work seamlessly to help carriers get a better grip on loss ratios than the industry as offered in the past. Call on us for a 30 minute live web based demonstration of Net Services.

PowerClaim PV, our stand alone insurance to value solution for 2007 was posted at www.powerclaim.com for downloading on 2 January, 2007. It is updated with the 2007 building costs. It will be included in Release 17 of PowerClaim XML that should be out in a beta version in about 30 days.

http://powerclaim.com/manuals/

Spanish PowerClaim XML Manual

You are welcome to download a PDF copy of our new PowerClaim XML manual in Spanish. We would appreciate your feedback on any suggested improvements be they technical or translation related. While we do plan a Spanish version of PowerClaim XML in the future today it is only available in English and the measurements are in feet and inches.  

We created this manual for both the US based adjusters and contractors as well as those located in Spanish speaking countries that are interested in working with PowerClaim XML but that information is stated in the introduction to the Spanish version of our manual.

Thanks so much for requesting this version of our manual and please let us know how we may improve it to better meet your needs. Please feel free to distribute the PDF should you wish to do so. While the link above will take you directly to the manual download area of http://www.powerclaim.com/">www.powerclaim.com you can also find it listed on the home page under the heading of Training by clicking on the word http://www.powerclaim.com/manuals">Manual.

 We are in the very early beta release phase and here is a list of the 13 new features that customers have requested.

PowerClaim XML 17 Beta 1 - Release Notes

This release includes enhanced features that reflect ongoing input from customers.

Texas Wind Insurance Association Report

Complete and print the TWIA-required Claims Reporting Form/Loss Notice within PowerClaim XML. Just like the included NFIP reports, setup information from the claim will auto-fill into any applicable fields, saving you time and eliminating duplicate entry.

Addition of 5 new NFIP Templates

Maximize your NFIP claims with the addition of 5 new report templates.

1. O&P Affidavit
2. Request for Advance Payment
3. Final Narrative
4. Insured Questionnaire
5. NFIP Booklet

Deductible by Percentage of Total Loss

A heavily-requested feature by our users, percentage-based deductibles are now able to be calculated and applied from within PowerClaim XML.

Ability to Import PDFs into PowerClaim

Any PDF document can be quickly imported into PowerClaim XML and wrapped into reporting. The possibilities are endless, as many documents today are more than likely generated in the popular PDF format.

New Backup Utility

Anyone who has experienced a data loss understands the importance of backing up data. With our new backup utility, you can hand-pick what is backed up or do a full-scale backup, schedule backups easier and even save your information directly to a CD.

Advance Payments

The addition of an advance payment field allows you to denote the payment in the claim file and choose to include it on your reports.

Ability to Depreciate by Trade

Depreciation is a hot topic in the industry. Eliminate any disputes over your estimates on trade depreciation with the new ability to apply depreciation directly to trades.

Easy Access to Notes Button from Line Item Screen

Questions about an item in the cost database? A simple menu item now allows you to find out information about certain line items.

Ability to Import and Export Macros between PowerClaim users

Share your line item macros with other PowerClaim users quickly and easily with the macro import/export feature.

Ability to choose from Multiple Email Bodies

When emailing your claims and reports, you may now save your various email bodies and pull them back up as templates. Don’t worry about copying and pasting or retyping, they will be saved and waiting.

Multiple Invoices for one Claim

Many of our users requested the ability to create multiple invoices for one claim. We took that request and went one step further. Not only are you able to create multiple invoices per claim, but you also now have an sophisticated payment structure. Show and track multiple payments for your multiple invoices, including partial payments and still due amount.

Ability to Separate Labor and Material Costs

Generate advanced estimate reports with material, labor and equipment price separations. Each operation listed in your reports will have a breakdown of price for each, and a total cost.

 Ability to Sort Activity Log Entries

At http://powerclaim.com/beta/downloadbeta.php you may now download PowerClaim XML Release 17 Beta 8. This should be the last beta as we are now just integrating the PowerClaim Net Services client into the official release of PowerClaim XML Release 17. This integration will enable seamless downloading and uploading of claim files between PowerClaim XML and the PowerClaim Net Services website. PowerClaim Net Services offers web based claims set up and assignment/transfer, claim storage and remotely stored nightly back up along with your typically web based claims analytics that is offered by all of the property estimating software vendors.

PowerClaim Net Service may be of interest to the CAT adjuster that uses remote data entry staff. Without having to have a copy of PowerClaim on a computer the data entry person can set up a claim file and assign it to the adjuster(s) who can then import it into PowerClaim XML and do the claim. Another use of this system is for the adjuster/vendor that uses remote claims examiners. A completed file can be assigned to an examiner over the web and he or she can then pull the live completed file into PowerClaim XML.

Another option with PowerClaim Net Services is the ability to permit a third party to view and print specific estimates that they select to be viewable by the third party.

The complete cost for PowerClaim Net Services is only $5 per unique claim file (compared to $12+ at other vendors) that hits the server which permits you to go in and out of the file as often as needed by anyone you give access. These files can be store for up to two years at not addition charge but they can be batched to you by CD or DVD in a live unlocked and readable format so you can retain the complete live claims data as long as the law requires. The unlocked live claims data structure insures you are not dependent on our tools to have full access to your claims data in the future.

Question? There has been some interest by adjusters to just use PowerClaim Net Services as a remote backup option that would permit them to reinstall their claim files 24/7 in case their computer was stolen or the hard drive crashed. Without any of the above features except the ability to upload and download your own files and store them for up to two years what would be an acceptable per claim file fee in your mind?

Congratulations to Gale, Kyser, et al. on reaching this significant milestone. As claims handlers, we should applaud the folks at PowerClaim for putting their money where our mouths and minds are.

Lee thank you for your kind remarks. I saw your post three weeks ago and kept meaning to say thanks. As noted we did get PowerClaim Net Services released and Release 17 of PowerClaim XML shipping and yesterday we released our new from ground up web version of PowerClaim I2V. PowerClaim I2V not only does a property evaluation but it also permits the attaching of photos and creating a cover sheet for writing up the underwriting inspection report. It is all web based so there is nothing to download or install but just access to the web by any browser. There are no reports or photos to email or mail because they are all on the web for all authorized individuals to view, print or store. Since the year is winding down we are offering our web based PowerClaim PV Plus without cost or obligation for future use until 1 Jan 2008 where you are a current PowerClaim PV user or not. The staff has knocked themselves out on this project and I would like everyone to see and use their fine work and then share your thoughts with them. It can be used for many different reasons but underwriting inspections is where it shines. Anyone can call 800-736-1246 ext. 3 or email to sales@powerclaim.com to get your free account(s) set up and use our new web based PowerClaim PV Plus solution free for the rest of 2007.

At HRI we have kept moving forward supporting current customers, finding new ones and continue to update and add new solutions. The new releases of PowerClaim XML and PowerClaim Net Services are being well received and we continue to seek your thoughts on what you would like to see in the next generation. Our property replacement cost valuation tool called PowerClaim PV that is resides inside of PowerClaim XML and as a stand alone version will still available as such but the enhanced next generation is now available as a web application and is referred to as PowerClaim I2V. In reviewing the PowerClaim section on CADO I realized I had never added 2 new solutions that we would appreciate feedback either directly or just sharing your thoughts on what you see as industry needs. I will set up threads for PowerClaim Net Services and PowerClaim I2V.

PowerClaim XML release 17a is ready for download at http://www.powerclaim.com/download/...17a . Included in this update are a wealth of new features, including:

• Tax Overhead & Profit
• Add multiple Insured contacts
• Add multiple Claimant contacts
• Auto-number invoices
• Advanced Activity Log item fields

editing

www.powerclaim.com/about/ceomessage

Finally I have updated my Message from the CEO page. A lot has happened at HRI since my last update. Thanks.

I have been an adjuster for 20 years and have used all kinds of software . I recently came out of retirement to do 3 storms for 3 different carriers who used xact , it had been 9 years since I had used Xact, I had no trouble to master the two programs ,24 and 25 to do 210 claims in 28 days . The amazing thing to me is that the soft ware is now not as good as it was 9 years ago and that the service and support by xact has deteriorated to below 0. It is impossible to rate their customer service as it is nonexistant. The upload functions at best work properly on less than 50% of the time . Yes you could use a pencil and ledger and do claims faster than with this bundlesome corrupt and overly complicateed piece of s(*&^ software. I bought a months lease of this crap on 3 different computers , on 3 different  Fridays during the past two months, and each time my profile was set incorrectly and no one was around to support the  software or to correct their mistakes over the weekend . Naturally I had to contact them each Monday to get the problem corrected . They eventually got the profile set up for me , but they never mentioned to credit me for the lease time I had lost, While talking to probably 6 different people at xact about this I never had anyone say thank you , im sorry , screw you, or any thing like we are glad you gave us money for nothing. THESE MORONS ( did I spell that Right) are sub human and they are a disgrace to the cat family. I also paid them for a dual liscence to run 24 and 25 on one computer , this they never got to work and after hours of talking to them and chatting I finally gave up. I would like to post my chats with their staff just to show what its like to have to deal with them ,but it is  like about 30  pages of  a conversation with a fifth grader. I also had the expertise of my companies computer department try to set up the dual liscence they couldnt do it .And these are people who are hired solely as a liasion to deal with the problems of xact , they do this everyday and they couldnt get my dual liscense to work . I did not get a credit from xact on this either, and oh by the way I didnt get a kiss or an apology .

I did want to say that I have used the Hawkins soft ware on 2 storms in the past and found them to be very professional and cooperative  as a matter of fact I just mentioned to them once, I would like for the software to do this or that,  and in less than a week they called me back and said to download the software again and had implemented my suggestion in to their  new version. This company is awesome and I have believed for years that they will be rewarded some day by being the most popular software. But it takes too long for insurance moguls to make a move and the web based stuff will probably win out.

This is the type of people that the industry needs , we dont need people from Utah.

Foutunately im an old fart and I have the luxury of being able to work when and where I want, In the future I wont be working for carriers who choose to put adjusters through the brain damage associated with xact.

Unfortunately some large carriers have people in ivory towers that choose this software without consideration of the people using it, One can only assume that the  kick backs on this decision must be really good as I cannot imagine  any  other possible reason for intelligent people to use such an inferrior product that is rented for such a high price. Especially when there are a multitude of really good products out there that actually work.

9 years ago after working for state farm and using this software I started a list of people I would never work for again during my lifetime , In the last month I have added  three more carriers to that list, but there are still plenty of people out there I can work for,  I just dont have to have my small amount of intelligence insulted by these people. Over the past 9 years my life has been simpler and much more profitable without state farm , and im sure that my new additions to my list will also improve my life and my fortune.

I just feel for the new adjusters out there that do not have the luxury I have to tell these people to stuff it.

http://powerclaim.com/beta/downloadbeta.php

Today we uploaded the second beta version of PowerClaim XML estimating software. While release 17d Beta2 contains several updates the main reason for the update is first it adds some new reporting features for contractors and second it is designed to install on the new 64 bit version of Vista.

I do have a deal to offer 64 bit Vista users who are not current users. If you will install and authorize this beta version I will see that you get 90 days of full use of our estimating software vs. the normal 30 days everyone gets. Heck not to leave anyone out I see that other non customers who down load and authorize (activate) the above version will get 90 days of full use at no charge.

One requirement to get the 90 days vs. 30 days is to email me at gale@powerclaim.com with your request otherwise you will get 30 days from the staff because for the three of you that take me up on this offer it is not worth confusing the staff by me sending an email to everyone. I will forward your request.

Here is what you do. Download from the above link by filling out the required fields so you will not be called for this info before you can get authorized. After you download, install and open PowerClaim XML for the first time you will see your Site Code of two strings of numbers in a GREEN box. Copy and paste that Site Code into an email to gale@powerclaim.com and I will see you are returned your 90 Site Key. Do note if you are using the 64 bit version of Vista.

Thanks for trying our new version of PowerClaim XML estimating software.

If you would like a free trial of our web based Net Services claims management solution just call 800-736-1246 any time M-F 7AM to 7 PM CST or leave a message 24/7. With Net Services we can have a vendor site set up with their on logo and 150+ adjusters receiving and sending claim files within 24 hours and there is no set up fee now or later. I am not sure what the other vendors do about a set up fee.

Gale,

Some time back, you gave me a free trial of your software and when I called to offer a suggestion or two, it was received as it was offered.  Constructive criticism with no hidden agenda.

I see you're still at it.  Making free offers, that is.  And still listening to those that may have a tidbit or two to offer.

I am impressed and would like to congratulate you on your ongoing service to the claims industry.  And, once again, I have no hidden agenda.

I currently am writing auto estimates instead of property but I have been keeping up with your progress and successes.  You are undoubtedly proud of what you do and who you are.  As you should be.

ATTABOY!!!

Happy Trails

Larry thanks so much for your encouragement over the years. If it had not been for the encouragement from people like you, Dave Hood and many others who in fact many have never even used our solutions I am not sure we would even still be standing today to be counted. Roy Cupps as to be given a huge amount of credit for our success because without the CADO portal into the world of claims handling our learning curve would have been much steeper than it has been.   

In fact a few said we would fail being the first property claims estimating package to come out of a software firm that contained no adjusting roots. It has been the constructive criticism since 1996 that has enabled us to developing into an industry player in the area of claims handling, contractor bidding and insurance underwriting. As the results of the help of many in the industry HRI has developed into a company that hopefully will continue to do even more for the industries that we touch.

At some point all company founders tend to become the bottle neck in the long term future of their company. The customers, staff and owners pay a high price when this happens. Stepping back and letting the fine management team that has evolved put their mark on the company has not been easy for me but watching our young team keep moving forward without daily direction from me is a huge reward by itself.

For those who on CADO some time ago suggested that I focus more on the family (our kids turn 11 next month) and let the management team run the show at HRI I want to say thanks. A little over a year ago the kids asked if we could get a motor home and we did purchase an older one. It is a 1993 32’ Class A. Over this past year we have gone through it from top to bottom and end to end. The kids know a lot more about home and auto repair and upkeep than some four times their age and we are having a ball going places in it and doing fun stuff.

Please call on the staff if we can help you in any way. Thanks again to everyone that has helped us over the past 12 years bring new ways of doing business to the industry.

I have made this offer on ClaimsMentor before. I will still review PowerClaim estimates for new people and help them learn by doing good estimates. Contact PowerClaim and take them up on the sending files back and forth in the system and both of us will learn something, good.

I do not travel on long storms any longer and looking for a file examiner job that I can do from home and this will help me to learn also.

I too wish to congratulate you on overcoming all the negatives in the past. I have not used your program, but understand it is well thought out and that you take suggestions from the field and do everything you can to incorporate them into your program, if they are good suggestions. I wish you would offer your services to MS/B, perhaps they could learn something from you, ie, "respect and dignity".

Ray I just got word from William in Sales that you have been set up on Net Services our web base hub of solutions so thanks for taking the time to contact us. The CMS part of PowerClaim Net Service is a great way for remote file examiners to review PowerClaim estimates in a live format.

It is also good for those who want to review claims done using MSB, Simsol and Xactware solutions as well but they can not be edited because they move back and forth as PDF files but most all common image formats work as well. This feature makes Net Services more valuable to firms that permit adjusters to use any brand of estimating software.

Also Ray if you have any new people who you want to mentor we will keep them an active copy of PowerClaim XML at no charge when you email their complete contact info to Sales. We will give those 30 days at a time at your request. In 2005 the word got out they had free use of PowerClaim XML until they became profitable CAT adjusters. With $799 a year being about half what some adjusters are paying for adjusting software we do need to collect our small charge from those on the job.

Tom thanks for your comments. Actually at PLRB 2007 I did ask MDA management to consider giving us their base of estimating software users so they could focus on their core profit centers instead of investing a huge amount of money in building a new estimating system from ground up. Later I did learn the idea to spin off the estimating software division had been discussed prior to my offer but as we all know MDA decided to invest in a new claims estimating solution.

Beer price increases made the head lines yesterday and we all are seeing the price creep thing this year even in adjuster tools. While we are still nearly half the price of some of your other adjusting software options we still are committed to no price increase for PowerClaim XML in 2009. Our price still starts at $799 per year and go down from there. We all hear a lot of political noise these days and are concerned as to what is coming our way but life goes on.

School is back in session and hurricanes are forming so that means another summer is slipping past.

We at HRI have had an exciting and busy summer. PowerClaim XML Release 18a with a lot of tweaks and new pricing updates released last month. It also added the Canadian materials and labor cost data and a neat tool to handle exchange rate changes.

While Net Services (NS) our web based claims management solution continues to see more IA company and carrier use we have a special promotion for the individual adjusters who may not need all of the power of NS offers. It is called our PowerClaim Online Backup offer that is $79 for one year and you can go online or call for full details to insure your claim files are not lost..

Remember we continue to have free web-base PowerClaim XML training each week.

For those in underwriting or who work up valuations for underwriting try our online Replacement Cost Calculator (RCC) for residential, commercial and farm building valuations.

Call us at 1-800-736-1246 with any questions or needs and our staff will work to meet your needs and requests. For our full contact information please go to www.powerclaim.com

Thank you,

Gale Hawkins, CEO 

800-736-1246 ext. 101

gale@powerclaim.com

Well Sandy seems to be putting more CAT adjusters in the field than in the past several years. If others are interested in try PowerClaim XML Release 20 just go to www.powerclaim.com and click on the Download button in upper right corner. Select PowerClaim XML Release 20 and after the install process just open PowerClaim XML for the first time and follow the on-screen instructions to get activated.

For first time users we give 30 free days of use of the full version complete with live databases just like you will have as a paying user along with free support and web training classes. Just use our regular 800-736-1246 number for all support calls.