Greetings as we reach the height of the hurricane season. We are all monitoring the tropics and making sure our catastrophe plans are current.

We are looking forward to a great 2014 NACA Convention in Panama City, Florida. Our Continuing Education Committee, headed by Jennifer Whiteaker-Hevelone, has a fantastic array of courses lined up for us! The continuing education courses include an NFIP Adjuster Workshop at our convention.

The Technology Committee has recommended a redesign and development of a new website. The Board has committed to the new website which should be unveiled in time for our convention.

Everyone needs to take advantage of the early registration for the NACA Convention!

I would like to take some time in this newsletter to reflect on issues affecting not only our industry, but most industries concerning communication with an emphasis on civility.

Our quest is to communicate with others both effectively and professionally, but also to convey our message with civility. Civility is about more than just politeness, although politeness is a necessary step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences. It is about listening. Listening past one's preconceived ideas. We have to assume good faith of the parties involved. We need to be respectful of all viewpoints. We need to communicate effectively and professionally with civility and respect.

We look forward to seeing everyone at NACA's 2014 Annual Convention in Panama City Florida.

Thank you and kind regards.

Robert Uhler 

2013 President 

ruhler@eberls.com 

NACA 2014 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

TO INCLUDE NFIP ADJUSTER WORKSHOP

The 2014 NACA CE Committee is very excited about the educational line up we have in store for the 2014 convention!  The committee carefully reviewed the feedback provided by the 2013 convention attendees and scheduled presentations accordingly.  To name a few, participants will be able to choose from such classes as Window Damage Assessment, Commercial Estimating, Business Interruption - Catastrophe Losses and many more...  All of these great class ideas were direct suggestions by NACA members! 

We are very pleased to announce that we will be able to offer an NFIP Adjuster Workshop at the convention (presented by Jennifer Whiteaker-Hevelone, Eberl Claims Service).  Claims adjusters wishing to maintain their NFIP certification, or apply for an NFIP certification, must attend a claims presentation every year.  Attending this presentation will make you eligible to renew or obtain your NFIP certification providing you meet the minimum requirements as mandated by the NFIP.  For questions regarding the NFIP's adjuster certification, please visit their web site at:  http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program/adjuster-participation-national-flood-insurance-program.  In addition to the NFIP Adjuster Workshop, we were able to schedule a senior flood claims manager to present an all-day session on Practical Flood Claims Handling - this session will go way beyond the workshop with practical training on how to adjust flood losses.

In closing, the CE Committee would like to thank all of the members who provided educational feedback - your feedback played a key role in choosing the 2014 classes.  We hope to see each and every one of you in Florida!

 

New Mobile Technology &                                   

  Simsol A Perfect Match

Windows 8 Touchscreen Tablet/PCs Bring

Unmatched Speed and Mobility to Estimating in the Field

by Steve Van Pelt

Software companies are perpetually playing catch up with technology, but in the case of the Windows 8 touch screen, it seems technology has finally caught up with Simsol.

Simsol has never used complicating codes or abbreviations to select repair scope items for estimates. Rather, when the software was developed in the mid-1980s by an adjuster it was with efficiency in mind, and he created the Simsol Virtual Scope Screen method where all items are organized in plain English with a string of ten buttons to press to select the scopes.

While this always has been the most efficient software method to prepare estimates accurately, the new Windows 8 touchscreen platform brings this to the next level, as you can now simply touch the screen to select your scope items.

Mobile Solutions: The New Tablet/PCs

With Windows 8, touchscreen abilities were included to enable the development of Tablet/PCs, tablet devices, with all the same versatility as regular tablets, but with full PC functions, allowing users to install any Windows-based software. These devices have two modes -desktop and tablet, and the ability to interchange between the two with just a swipe of the finger across the screen.

Simsol software has been optimized to work seamlessly with all touch screen functions, making it the perfect fit for field estimating. No other combination of device or software will give you more speed and accuracy in the field than Simsol.

Simsol also developed its own custom touch-screen keyboard to work with its software to make entering text information easier than any other tablet keyboard function.

No Laboring for a Sketch in the Field

Since Simsol was founded on the principle that an estimate should be based on actual measurements rather than an estimator's architectural sketching abilities, Simsol on a tablet allows users to begin scoping as soon as you begin measuring.

When the estimate is complete, Simsol's touchscreen sketch tool allows you to draw an exact sketch, to any desired level of detail, in a fraction of the time of competitive software. The touchscreen functions allow you to move the sketch, resize and draw with your fingers and stylus. It's the closest experience to drawing with a pencil and pad you will find.