Release notes:

What's new in Symbility version 3.0?

(Version 3.0.7, originally released 02/04/08)

NEW MINOR FEATURES AND ENHANCEMENTS

BUG

9659

Elapsed time fields were unable to be plotted on Y-axis of charts

Symbility.NET

A bug has been fixed that prevented any data type fields involving the elapsed time to a claim status from being plotted on the Y-axis on any chart.

ENHANCEMENT

8704

Claim Explorer can now be resized

Symbility.NET

If you use a display resolution greater than 1024x768, you can now expand the claim explorer vertically by dragging the bottom of it down, providing more space to view the contents of the claim file. The width of the navigation pane can still be dragged horizontally to give more space for viewing the names of pages in the claim. The height and width that you set for the claim explorer are remembered the next time you visit the site.

ENHANCEMENT

9761

Access to photo pages, external documents and handwritten notes can now be provided to guest users

Symbility.NET

When adding a guest user as a participant in a claim file, you can now opt to provide them access to photo pages, external documents attached to the claim and handwritten notes pages (see below).

ENHANCEMENT

7922

Ability to filter claim list by elapsed days from date of claim creation

Symbility.NET

The Status Ages tab in the Advanced Search Panel (introduced in version 1.8) lets you filter the claim list by the number of elapsed days between a defined starting point and the day the claim reached any later claim status. The starting point can now be set to be the date the claim was created.

ENHANCEMENT

9525

Ability to filter claim list by all date range for all claim events

Symbility.NET

In addition to filtering the claim list by the number of days that have elapsed between two or more events with the Advanced Search Panel, you can now also filter claims based on the date the claim status changed. The new Dates tab has date fields for every claim status (the Date of Loss query fields have been moved here from the General Claim Information page). The two fields for each status can be used as a closed range (enter start and end date) or an open range (enter just a start or end date). For example, to find all claims that were assigned between January 1, 2008 and January 31, 2008, enter 01/01/08 and 01/31/08 into the start and end fields respectively for Assignment Sent. To find all claims that have been closed after December 1, 2007, enter 12/01/07 into the start date field for Claim Closed.

ENHANCEMENT

9759

Journal entries can now be filtered

Symbility.NET/mobile claims

There's now an easier way to show only manual journal entries in the journal—a drop-down list has been added to the toolbar that lets you view either only manual journal entries or all entries. On Symbility.NET, these options are in the Show menu in the Commands panel. Like before, you can still sort the list of all entries to have all manual journal entries grouped at the top or the bottom, just click the column header for the journal entry icon to do this. The way the list of journal entries appears on the screen is how it will be printed.

ENHANCEMENT

7011

Redesigned Loss Summary page

Symbility.NET/mobile claims

The Loss Summary page has been redesigned to improve usability. It now puts more "need-to-know" information up front on the initial view, organizes all fields more efficiently and better matches the design layout that was introduced when the Loss Summary page could be printed (version 2.5). The major changes in functionality include:

Fields are grouped on page tabs now instead of vertically expandable sections. This eliminates most vertical scrolling.
Reinspection and Emergency work required flags have been moved to the status bar at the top of the page.
Lead adjuster (or "controlling adjuster") is now shown on the General tab, along with the phone number, email contact information and insurance company name that originated the claim. If you are a user of the originating company, the Insurer drop down box allows you to select which branch should originate the claim, if there are multiple locations. The lead adjuster is considered the first user to become a participant in the claim if your company is an insurer and you are originating the claim (future enhancements will allow for more flexibility in specifying the lead adjuster and other roles of your participants). If you are an independent adjuster or contractor and creating the claim file for an insurance company that is not yet using Symbility, the lead adjuster shown is the first Guest User added as a participant whose type is "Insurance Company" (recall that version 2.8 introduced more flexibility for handling participants that are not registered Symbility users).
Dates for key status changes are shown on the General page. Note that Estimated, and Approved refer to the date any estimate in the claim file was first completed or approved.
A summary of claim totals is now shown on the General page. Only estimates that have been approved contribute to the claim total.
A Map It hyperlink allows you to generate a map for the insured's address and/or the loss address (and it takes you to the Map and Directions page to view it).
Reserves are now specified on the Policy page, and reserves for all four coverages can be entered.
The Map and Directions page makes storing starting addresses more intuitive, now letting you easily create new starting addresses, edit existing ones in the drop-down list and delete those you no longer want. Each address can have a label associated with it for easy recognition (ex. "Home office", "Corporate HQ", "Starbucks on Main St.").

ENHANCEMENT

9792

Redesign of Item Batch explorer

mobile claims

The Item Batch feature has undergone another design improvement, offering the following new features:

Provides flexibility of sharing item batches with any company branch, vendor, originator and peer as well as specifying specific users within each of these.
Introduces a hierarchical structure for item batches, allowing sub-batches within an item batch. A "breadcrumb trail" is used to navigate through the hierarchical structure (just like navigating through categories and sub-categories in the pricing database).
Provides the ability to store a more descriptive narrative with item batches—like categories—for easier selection and recall. Any description stored with the item batch will appear in the comment pane (the resizable, blue shaded area under the list of items).
Allows viewing of item comments for items stored in the item batch.

When you first tap the Item Batch icon to view your item batches, you will see a simple list of all item batches available to you. Those that you are sharing with others are indicated with a special icon (). Double-tap the item batch to open it. You can also delete the selected batch, rename it or create a new batch. If you want to add all items in the item batch to the estimate, you can simply drag the item batch itself to the diagram without having to open it first. In the context menu (tap-and-hold) for each batch you can also access the batch's properties, which allows you to enter a description/comment for the batch.

Once an item batch is opened, you will see the contents, which may be other sub-batches in addition to items. Sub-batches contained in a batch appear above the list of items, separated from the items by a grey line. In the example to the left, the batch "Standard kitchen fire" is open and it contains several items along with the sub-batches "High-end" (its comment is shown in the comment pane) and "Extra-large". Double-tap a sub-batch to open it up.

To share the currently open item batch, if it is not shared or to change with whom the item batch is shared, tap the Share with... command. When an item batch is shared, any modifications you make to it are synchronized with all users with whom you are sharing it with, unless they modify it, in which case it becomes their own batch and is no longer shared. The same thing happens if you stop sharing an item batch with someone.

You can also create additional sub-batches within the currently open batch, or drag specific items to the floorplan (or select all items) as before.

ENHANCEMENT

1090

Disto searching can now be cancelled

mobile claims

f you use a Disto laser rangefinder, you can now choose to cancel searching for the Disto when you tap a dimension, if you wish to just use the feet/inches gizmo. When a dimension is tapped, the "Looking for Disto" message now includes two commands—tap Cancel to immediately show the feet/inches gizmo or tap Configure to open the Preferences dialog box to turn off looking for the Disto for all dimensions or modify all settings related to the Disto.

ENHANCEMENT

591

Casing and baseboard dimensions now shown in wall editor image

mobile claims

When viewing objects on a wall in the wall editor, the casing dimension is now shown at the top left corner of the object; tap it to edit it directly. The baseboard height is also shown and can be edited directly.

ENHANCEMENT

655

Arrow in navigation pane of wall editor indicates wall being viewed

mobile claims

Another enhancement to the wall editor is the addition of an arrow icon in the floating Navigator pane that better indicates which wall on the floorplan you are looking at and what exactly is your point-of-view (i.e. where the virtual "you" is standing to see what is shown in the wall editor). This is especially helpful when editing angled walls or independent walls (both sides of the wall can be viewed).

ENHANCEMENT

9766

Postal/zip code now shown in separate column for sorting claim list

mobile claims

A new Postal/Zip code column has been added to the mobile claims Claim List making it easier to see the postal/zip code (you no longer have to find it within the Loss Address column) and allows sorting of the claim list by postal/zip code. Note that the column will not be visible at first. If you want to see this column, you will need to select Show Columns from the Tools menu and select it from the sub-menu.

ENHANCEMENT

10082

Items can be dropped onto compass for easy application of multiple exterior surfaces on Exterior Plan

mobile claims

In version 2.9 we added a compass to all diagrams for easy indication of the orientation of the diagram. On roofplans, the compass provided an additional function—allowing you to apply an item to all surfaces facing north, south, east or west by dropping the item onto the appropriate direction on the compass (the letters N, S, E or W). Now this same shortcut has been added to exterior plans.

ENHANCEMENT

10087

2-dimensional exterior surface shapes can now be saved in the Shape Selector

mobile claims

When we introduced exterior plans in version 2.8, we provided 2D shapes to allow scoping of exterior surfaces without drawing a floorplan first (which would allow automatic creation of an exterior plan). One limitation of the 2D shapes was that they could not be saved as a new shape in the Shape Selector dialog box like room and roof shapes. This is no longer a limitation, so you can now tap-and-hold any 2D shape or combination of shapes and select Save as Shape... from the context menu.

ENHANCEMENT

2038

Icons in all menus

mobile claims

All menus and context menus (tap-and-hold) now contain icons for most commands. This improves the "user-friendliness" of the application and aids in associating commands in menus with their counterparts on toolbars.

NEW FEATURE

1631

Ability to find other items related to the currently selected item

mobile claims

The Find Related Items command () provides a powerful new way to find items in the pricing database. It works on the principle that an item you add to an estimate usually occurs in conjunction with other items—the same items each time (the items are considered related). This feature allows you to select any item and locate all other items in the pricing database which are related to it. The feature works in two ways: first, select any item while browsing the database, or from the list of search results after searching for an item with the Keyword Search tool (), or any item already attached to a room/roof/exterior. Then tap the command Find Related Items from the item's context menu (tap-and-hold). The search results will show a list of all items that are considered related to the item you selected. For example, selecting the item "Drywall, 1/2", walls" and using Find Related Items returns items for painting drywall or plaster, removing and replacing furring and other variations of drywall (like different thicknesses or applications to the ceiling).

The second way this feature works is by allowing you to quickly replace an item that has already been attached to a room/roof/exterior (added to an estimate) with a related item. For example, you may want to substitute "Replace - Drywall, 1/2", walls (with light texture)" for the item "Replace - Drywall, 1/2", walls (with medium texture)" (the grade is different). To do this, use the command Replace With... (), which will show all related items in a dialog box. Selecting a related item will replace your original item with the related one. This "Replace with" command is available from the Item List View of the Item Pane and also from the estimate itself.

ENHANCEMENT

8409

Enhanced keyword search intuitiveness

mobile claims

This is a "behind-the-scenes" feature (there's nothing to interact with in the user interface) that simply enhances the intelligence of the Keyword Search tool (). Now, you can type a keyword (or just a portion of a keyword) and the search will better at guessing what you're really looking for by considering all synonyms. For instance, the Craftsman database uses the term "drywall" which is the most popular term for sheets of paper-lined gypsum plaster board. In many regions of the U.S. other synonyms like "sheetrock", "gyprock" or even "plaster board" are more popular. Now you can enter "drywall", "sheetrock", "gyprock" (or even "gyp") and the keyword search tool will know what you're looking for and will return results containing "drywall". Many other items are handled in the same way.

As an added benefit, users who are familiar with industry-standard codes used in other software will find that mobile claims can now match up the equivalent item in the Craftsman database if you enter a code, like "DRY1/2", "CLNACT" or "PNTB".

ENHANCEMENT

10866

Walls drawn with freeform tool can be drawn at any angle all the time

mobile claims

We have eliminated the "Freeform shape angle increment" setting in the Preferences dialog (which used to constrain the angle used when drawing freeform shapes). Instead, walls drawn with the freeform tool can be drawn at any angle, but will automatically snap to all 45° and 90° increments when drawing.

NEW FEATURE

10034

Category "see also" shortcuts

mobile claims

While browsing the items in one category, how often do you find yourself returning to the top level of the database hierarchy to open a new branch of the database with items similar to the branch you just left? Our guess is "often" (our usability studies confirm that, too). This feature allows you to easily jump from one category to another with similar items, without needing to leave the category you're currently in, by adding hyperlink "shortcuts" under the list of subcategories and items. Simply tap any hyperlink to quickly jump to the other category.

NEW FEATURE

2369

Ability to mirror and flip a floorplan

mobile claims

Two handy new commands have been added to the context (tap-and-hold) menu of selected rooms and roofs: Mirror (

) and Flip (

). What they do is fairly self-evident (see the image to the right). Select one or more shapes before using the command.

NEW FEATURE

8192

Line Annotations

mobile claims

A new type of annotation has been added to the Shape Selector for all three types of diagrams. The Line Annotation tool will draw perfectly straight red line segments if you need them (ex. illustrating a fence line). New line segments will snap to the end of an existing line segment or any other shape (like a wall).

NEW MAJOR FEATURES

NEW FEATURE

Ability to draw wall segments independent of rooms

mobile claims

The freeform drawing tool has been enhanced in a subtle but powerful way: walls can now exist on their own without needing to be part of an enclosed room. The most obvious application is half walls within a room, but this enhancement also provides flexibility in many different situations.

When drawing a freeform shape, the shape no longer needs to be a fully enclosed room (just turn off drawing mode before enclosing the room). If walls are drawn that do not form an enclosed room (i.e. the last wall does not end where the first one began) then the shape is considered a "partial room". A "partial room" is only a series of walls, but has no floor or ceiling.
Items can be applied to either side of an independent wall segment, either in floorplan view or wall editor view.
The freeform tool can be used to draw wall segments that close existing partial rooms or that bisect existing rooms.

NEW FEATURE

10072

Handwritten Notes

mobile claims

Having a pen-based PC is an obvious productivity boost to the claims process since it allows the electronic capture of all loss site-related data and the building of complete estimates at the loss site. However, we recognize that while virtually all details that need to be recorded for processing the claim can be recorded directly into the claim file using handwriting recognition, voice recording, photos or annotations like scribbles...sometimes it's still necessary to use alternate methods to capture a thought, an idea, a quick sketch or something completely freeform and unstructured. We have also noticed that the most popular method to record this type of information is with the Microsoft application built into Windows®: Windows Journal (and kudos to all customers that do this to avoid paper and keep the data digital!). But wouldn't it be great if the Windows Journal notes were actually integrated into the claim file that they relate to? This is exactly what we've done: we've added a new type of page that can be inserted into any claim file which looks and feels very similar to the Windows Journal application that you know so well.

You will now see a new branch in all your claim files called "Handwritten Notes", to which you can add an unlimited number of handwritten notes.

You can draw ink in 12 different colors and 5 different pen tips (thicknesses), or use a highlighter (12 colors/3 pen tips), eraser (3 sizes or stroke eraser) or the lasso tool to select ink.
You can choose any of three backgrounds (lines, graph paper, blank).
Text boxes, photos or voice annotations can be embedded in a handwritten note.
Selected ink can be copied to the clipboard as text (it will be recognized just as handwriting in the Tablet Input Panel is).
You can add as many pages to each handwritten note as you like.
Handwritten notes can be shared with other participants in the claim.
When printed, the handwritten note is virtually indistinguishable from real ink on paper (just like Windows Journal!).

NEW FEATURE

10794

Integration with Enservio allows handling of contents replacement

Symbility.NET/mobile claims

Symbility has partnered with Enservio to offer adjusters the ability to outsource contents replacement claims. mobile claims and Symbility.NET now integrate the contents handling process directly into the structural loss claim file, providing the most simple and efficient method to exchange information with Enservio.

On the Claim Type tab of the newly redesigned Loss Summary page you will find an option for "Contents replacement inventory/appraisal". Checking that option prompts you to select one of three different service levels—here is where you indicate if you would like Enservio to:

Visit the loss site, create an inventory of the contents loss and append that document to the claim file.
Work from an inventory that you generate and only appraise the contents loss.
Visit the site to generate an inventory AND appraise the loss.

If you are providing Enservio with an inventory for them to appraise, there are several ways to go about it. You can attach the information directly to the claim file, which an Enservio technician can access remotely. Enservio will be automatically notified that you have requested their service, and will become an active participant in the claim file, allowing them to access administrative details of the loss and allowing you to share any information you wish with them. Any appraisals that Enservio creates will be attached to the claim file for you to view or print out.

Enservio will charge you separately for any contents services you utilize; your normal Symbility billing won't be affected.

Please note that Enservio does not operate in Canada. Visit www.enservio.com for more information.

NEW FEATURE

10889

Integrated commercial database

Symbility.NET/mobile claims

In addition to expanding the mobile claims claims-handling functionality to contents replacement, we have also added the ability to process commercial claims, by integrating a full Craftsman-supplied light commercial pricing database. By default, you won't be able to utilize this database; you must first contact the Symbility sales team at 1-866-SYMBILITY to enable this feature. Also note that commercial claims are priced separately from residential claims.

If a claim involves a commercial structure, indicate so on the Claim Type tab of the redesigned Loss Summary page. This provides you the ability to change the default commercial pricing database version/customization and override regional and/or category modification factors, just as you would for the residential pricing database (which is now called the "Residential Database" instead of "Symbility Database"). In a commercial claim:

The room name drop-down list will contain two branches; one each for residential and commercial room names.
You can add items from both the residential and commercial pricing databases to the same estimate. To switch between them at any time, tap the database icon ().
When searching for items using the Keyword Search tool, you can select which database(s) to search (either or both). All results are grouped by the database that the item is from.
When using the Search and Replace tool (introduced in version 2.8), you can search or filter the estimate by item database (residential and/or commercial).

The commercial pricing database uses the Craftsman publication "National Construction Estimator" as its source. Items are classified with three levels of categories. For additional information about the commercial data, refer to the Pricing Database Whitepaper.