Keith I just started writing in Integraclaim 8.0 SP2, utilizing Com Central, I wrote in MSB 5.0 a while ago, alto of changes since then. All in all was easily learned, and still looking for shortcuts. I have been dimensioning the diagrams, and re-dimensioning in the estimate, double work if you ask me.

Also the diagramming window is small, and is hard to get all notes and rooms, slopes into the diagram window without allot of time consummation. Don't know if I'm missing any shortcuts to double diagramming, or making digram window larger, maybe some one knows? Or maybe has a few tips for me. Just seems to me like allot of wasted time in MSB Integraclaim.

The pictures that I download into MSB, are downloaded into the order of which I took the pictures and in order to arrange them in an order constant with your Scoping, you have to do this in Microsoft or another program because MSB does not show you the Pictures unless you preview them and even then thats only one Picture, With XM8 You preview every picture. Basically with XM8 you Upload into Program, arrange them, and word them. With MSB, you Download them and Have to manually preview every one! WASTE OF TIME IF YOU ASK ME!

I did the same Theft/Vandalism Claim in both MSB, and In XM8....Both latest and greatest versions, and the XM8 Estimate from start to close was by far faster, and the Bottom Line was more money In My Pocket. the Gross claim with XM8 in Same Zip Code and Updated that day was by about $1,760.00 Gross on an $22,000.00 Estimate.

I better get used to MSB because I will be writing in it for a long time to come. I just wish they would get their program a little more tweaked, and better organized for quicker and more expedient estimating.

Didn't take me as long to 'GET IT" like it did XM8, But with XM8 It is Much more of a streamlined and defined estimate, and to me is allot quicker. All the way from Xacentral to the final closure of the claim.

Bottom Line with MSB, intgrate diagramming with the estimate, make the diagram pages larger window, get rid of the icons, make it to where you can preview all pictures as you are writing notes about them so that you can organize. There are a few times when you think you may have forgot a room, or a slope and retake the pics, and then need to organize them in the order of the estimate. Maybe MSB Folks will read this and do something about it!

My 2 Cents worth.

Well With MSB 8.0 SP2, and Com Central.

1. They need to make it to where all the pictures show as thumbnails, instead of clicking to review, to be able to sort your pictures without a bunch of time.
2. Thery need to make it to where, when you diagram a roof, or permiter, the deminsions automatically roll into the estimate, and creates the elevation or room. Instead of a lot of time and double data entry. VERY TIME CONSUMING!
3. Com Central will not allow you to re-open a claim without it being a suppliment, after it has been sent up, closed and ready for examiner.
4. When you set up a macro, for a room or whatever, it duplicates the estimate line items, but not like it is written, the wording like "SPECIAL" and "PAINT" or the quality of the line item shows up, and you have to go back and erase those words, if you dont want it in your estimate.
5. The diagram windows are way too small, they need to make it to where it is a full page, so that you can actually get in a good diagram. Or room drawing. In addition the Icons are way to large for the diagram.

Does anyone know how to get ahold of the decision makers at MS&B, as I would LOVE to be able to speak with them, I am considering a petition to MS&B, with thousands of names. Including with the carriers that utilize Com Central and MS&B for their preferred tool of estimating.

I am all about timie, and ease and simplicity. They need to make these things and maybe a few others happen SOON, or they will lose, and their business will spiral.

My opinion, and since I will be writing in MS&B daily from here until the next forseeable future, I am a trooper and an advocate for simplicity for all.

Roy as you can read MSB has named 20+ executives so far just this year and I am sure some of these changes will meet your concerns. The owners of MSB, MDA did not assume management control of MSB per past new releases until 1 Jan 2006 and as you can see they have been busy naming new department heads. Some changes may be due to some that got a share of the $90 million bonus paid by MDA to Boston Ventures this year may have taken the cash and looked for a different pasture to graze. MDA is placing some heavy bets I read on the UK property valuation market and has MSB developing for that new interest. You can read below about Tony Boobier that heads up the international effort and is who is based in London, England.

Devin, thanks for the update on what had been rumored for sometime. I bet the folks over at ISO will feel like fools after paying over 25 million for Xactimate just to see their investment become worthless in a few years. I expect Simsol will be fine with their loyal user base.