(originally released 10/11/05)
NEW FEATURES
FEATURE 0000 – On-the-fly bilingual support
Symbility is now the first claims software to be truly bilingual (French/English). Users can now switch the software interface and even their estimates between French and English instantly. When new users install mobile claims for the first time they will be prompted to install the French language pack (English is installed by default). Existing users can download and install it using the new Languages tab in the Preferences dialog box (Tools|Preferences).
Once installed, to switch to a different language use the Language command in the Tools menu (mobile claims) or the Language command in the Preferences menu (Symbility.NET).
In addition, we are the first claims software company to offer French (or English) support, from our Montreal office at (514) 866-9449 or 1-877-866-9449 (toll free) or via email at soutien.technique@symbilitysolutions.com.
FEATURE 5031 – Ability to capture 'Set area to attach' dimensions with a Disto
Although dimensions of walls, ceilings and subtractions have always been able to be captured instantly with a Disto laser rangefinder, the dimensions of a drawn area that an item is applied to (using the "Set area to attach..." command, in the context menu for an item) have not been able to be measured with a Disto (until now). Now, every dimension in the software can use the "point-and-click" speed and accuracy of a Disto laser rangefinder.
FEATURE 1973 – Ability to alter claim status without requiring ownership of a claim
Manually changing the claim status when certain events happen (for instance, when the insured is contacted) is important to all claim participants for measuring timeframes between various stages of a claim, but before this was often tedious, as one would require ownership of a claim before this could be done (and often requiring a request to obtain ownership from another participant). Now, as long as you have a copy of a claim in mobile claims you can change the status manually. There is nothing else to do—the next time you synchronize (which can now be done right from the Loss Summary page—see below) the claim will be set to this new status (unless it has been already set by someone else—the last status change set by any participant is always the claim's current status).
The claim status can also be changed on Symbility.NET regardless of who has ownership.
FEATURE 689 – Ability to synchronize a new claim status from the Loss Summary page
When changing the status of a claim, you used to have to return to the claim list, save the claim file, synchronize the entire claim list, then re-open the claim. Now as soon as you change the claim status, a small synchronize icon will appear. Tapping it will instantly synchronize this new claim status propagating the new status to all participants in the claim.
FEATURE 4327 – Ability to filter item database based on properties of doors and windows
The main reason for specifying the type of door or window in the Properties Pane in the Wall Editor is not the nice image it uses for the door—it's so that when searching for items in the item database, only the items appropriate for the room are able to be attached to the room. This makes finding items quicker and eliminates the mistake of adding the wrong item to the room.
Items in the categories "Doors" and "Windows" are now filtered from the Database View of the Item Pane according to the type of door and type and material of window. This feature can be turned off with a new setting on the Items tab of the Preferences dialog box.
FEATURE 4569 – Time and materials assumptions
The assumptions behind the unit prices and unit price components in the Symbility database are now available for reference from within mobile claims. To view a chart of assumptions (waste, gross and net coverage, productivity, tax and benefit assumptions, etc.) used to formulate the prices for materials, labor and equipment, tap the appropriate link on the General tab of the Item Properties dialog box (double-tap the item to show). In the Tablet PC version, the floating window containing the chart can be resized.
FEATURE 2692 – Ability to synchronize closed claims with mobile claims
Previously, once the status of a claim file was set to “Claim closed” it would be removed from the mobile claims claim list and would no longer be synchronized (and you could no longer access the claim outside of Symbility.NET). A new check box on the Loss Summary page (on Symbility.NET) for closed claims allows you to keep the claim synchronized with mobile claims. Once checked the claim will again appear in the mobile claims claim list next time you synchronize your device (only for your company), allowing you to download, take ownership, edit, etc.
Now, even if the claim has been closed but you wish to re-use diagrams or estimates in it for a new claim, you can. To stop synchronizing this claim, uncheck the checkbox.
FEATURE 4533 – Custom Loss Summary page fields
No longer are you limited to only the standard fields you see on the Loss Summary page—now you can add any number of custom fields to the Admin page, which will appear in a Custom Fields section at the bottom of the page. To do this, in Symbility.NET show the Claim Defaults screen (from the Administration menu) then click the Custom Fields tab. There are two boxes labeled "Column 1" and "Column 2" into which you can drag-and-drop field types from the "Custom Field Types" box at the top. The "Column 1" and "Column 2" labels refer to the layout of the fields on the Loss Summary page (all fields appear in two columns).
The different field types and are as follows:
Text - you can enter anything at all into these fields.
Date - similar to the Date of Loss field, you can use a calendar control to select a date by tapping on the calendar icon.
Currency - only numeric values can be entered, and values will automatically be formatted with the dollar symbol and two decimal places.
Integer - only integers can be entered.
Decimal - any numerical value can be entered and the value will automatically be formatted with two decimal places.
Percentage - any numerical value can be entered and the value will automatically be formatted with a percentage symbol.
List - when you add a list field you can also enter the values that should appear in the list.
Checkbox - allows checking/unchecking a boolean value.
Once you drop a new field type into a column box, click the "Details" link to edit its properties:
Name: the label that will appear beside the field.
Default value: what the field will be set to by default.
Type: before the new Claim Defaults are saved, you can change the type of custom field using this dropdown.
Mandatory: you will not be able to save new claims unless the field contains a value.
Private: only users in your company can view/edit the field
Publicly readable: all claim participants can view the field, but only users in your company can edit the field
Publicly editable: all claim participants can view and edit the field
Query field counterparts to each custom field are present on the Advanced Search Panel, allowing you to also filter your claim list using them. In addition, custom fields can also be added to management reports you build with the Analytics feature. By special request, we can also add any custom field to your Symbility.NET invoices which may aid your bookkeeping processes.
FEATURE 4558 – User control over regional modification factors
Click the new tab Regional Modification Factors on the Claim Defaults screen (Administration menu in Symbility.NET) to view all regional modification factors supplied by Craftsman (whom we license our database from). Click any region to override the materials, labor and equipment factors for that region. Once modified, factors appear in black text (all that are not modified are grey). Red text indicates that the factor has been changed by Craftsman—your changes are never overwritten. Click the region and use the Reset link to remove your changes and use the Craftsman-supplied factors again.
