ACIWEB.COM Features Online Store, Users’ Forum, Instructional Videos,
Compliance Corner Blog, and more

August 7, 2008, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator of technology for the valuation industry, announced today the launch of its newly designed website, www.aciweb.com. ACI’s website has been updated to enhance the ACI user experience and provide quick access to detailed and easy-to-understand product information. The site brings together relative content, allowing visitors to receive all the latest ACI news, while reflecting the accomplishments that have shaped the company into the market leader it is today.

Appraisers will find the new site dynamic and easy-to-navigate, with better visual and communication tools for interaction with ACI users and industry peers.

New features include:

• ACI Online Store: A quick and easy method for ACI clients to renew their Premier Service, Lighthouse™ and eService subscriptions online.
• Talk Live: An on-demand, live chat that provides a fast, online way to speak with a sales rep about ACI products or services.
• ACI Forum: An interactive venue where users can exchange thoughts and ideas with thousands of other ACI professionals and in-house experts.
• ACI in-MOTION Videos: Dozens of short product videos covering features and functionality within the ACI Collection and related products. Videos range in length from 30 seconds to two minutes and allow ACI users to quickly learn how to accomplish tasks from an ACI Certified Instructor.
• ACI Tech Docs: ACI’s documentation library, housing nearly two-dozen product reference guides for ACI, Lighthouse™, and CRAL users. The guides are easily downloaded and provide information about ACI and related products.
• Compliance Corner: ACI’s director of compliance, Rich Heyn, an SRA- and AQB-certified USPAP instructor with more than 30 years of professional appraisal experience, shares his unique industry knowledge and perspective in an on-going series of articles. Dedicated to appraisal-related issues, Compliance Corner topics will range from USPAP Compliance and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines to the HVCC, client pressure, identity theft, and unusual property appraising, among others.

“The redesigned ACIWEB.COM provides ACI users with faster, better information and easier ways to conduct business with the company,” said George Opelka, senior vice president of ACI. “Multiple, new informational resources and communication vehicles are just the beginning of the changes we have planned. This website overhaul underscores our commitment to the thousands of ACI users across the United States and Canada, and further demonstrates our ability to raise-the-bar as a leading provider of valuation technology.”

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

May 15, 2008, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in providing technology solutions for the appraisal industry announced today that it has acquired the source code of the RapidSketch™ floorplan software from Buffalo-based Utilant, LLC. RapidSketch is one of the most popular software applications for creating accurate floorplan layouts and is used by tens of thousands of appraisal and insurance professionals throughout North America.

RapidSketch, which has already been integrated with ACI’s entire product line is now enhanced and re-branded as ACI Sketch™. ACI Sketch works on the desktop, tablet, and web, and incorporates numerous productivity-enhancing features:

• Mouse and keyboard drawing with precision settings
• Extensive drag-and-drop symbols library
• Editor to create custom symbols
• Library of stock labels
• Drag center point of any line to quickly create an arc
• Copy-and-paste cloning
• Undo and Redo feature
• Rectangle tool to draw the most common floor plan shape
• Shapes tool for drawing octagonal decks, pentagonal sun-rooms, and geodesic domes
• Image or blueprint tracing with auto-scaling
• Angle, Rise & Run Display
• Standard or metric support for U.S. and Canada appraisers
• Display decimals or inches, or fractions of inches
• Online help with video tutorials

According to ACI president Dave Roberts, "The acquisition of RapidSketch as the foundation for ACI Sketch complements our strategy of providing clients with a full-range of appraisal technology. While we will continue to offer appraisers a variety of sketch options, we have developed ACI Sketch to stand head-to-head with any product in the market. By owning the technology, we can develop and support the application without relying on any third party—translating into a better product with tighter integration and lower cost for ACI customers."

“ACI Sketch is one of the best new efficiency products for appraisers,” said Jay Delich, President of Arizona Appraisal Team, LLC. “We use it in the office and on our tablet PC’s in the field, both with great success. We are particularly impressed with the free-form approach that ACI Sketch brings to creating floorplans.”

Interested parties may contact ACI Sales at 1-800-234-8727 or online at www.aciweb.com

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America’s premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner. Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team possess the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

New eService Connects Appraisal Professionals with a World Leader in Digital Oblique Aerial Imaging.

March 17, 2008, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in providing technology solutions for the appraisal industry, and Pictometry®, a leading provider of geo-referenced aerial image libraries whose patented technology is used globally to capture oblique image libraries, announced today the two companies have reached an agreement that provides thousands of valuation professionals with access to 3-D like aerial imaging tools for use in the appraisal process.

Primarily used by government and private businesses, Pictometry captures up to 12 different views of any building, highway, or other land feature in an area. While traditional satellite and aerial photography is primarily straight down, or orthogonal, Pictometry’s all-digital images are taken at an angle, called oblique. This presents aerial photographs in a 3D-like manner. As a result, Pictometry’s image databases of cities, counties, and states provide a more information-rich source of visual data for its customers.

“Pictometry may redefine the way appraisal professionals research and review appraisal reports,” said George Opelka, senior vice president of ACI. “With Pictometry imagery accessible directly through the ACI eService platform, appraisal professionals can virtually fly around the subject property and neighborhood for which Pictometry images are available. We are excited to be at the forefront of this technology and to extend this newly integrated service to our customers.”

Pictometry joins a premier list of technology providers whose technology solutions are available to appraisal professionals through ACI’s eService connection. As a result of this integration, appraisers, lenders, and valuation professionals will have access directly through the ACI platform to Pictometry’s library of digital images of neighborhoods, landmarks, roads, and complete municipalities from multiple views.

“Pictometry is about visual intelligence and putting smart pictures in the hands—and at the fingertips—of those who need detailed visual information,” said Jim Murray, Pictometry’s director of Business to Business Development, adding, “We’re thrilled to be a part of this opportunity with ACI, and we expect this new tool will truly change how appraisers work.”

Interested parties may contact ACI Sales at 800-234-8727.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America’s premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner. Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team possess the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

About Pictometry

Pictometry International Corp. is a leading provider of geo-referenced, aerial image libraries and related software. Pictometry has captured over 50 million digital aerial images in over 600 counties in the United States covering over 70 percent of the United States population. Using its proprietary imaging process, Pictometry® captures geo-referenced, high-resolution oblique (at an angle, producing a 3-D like view) and orthogonal (straight down) Intelligent Images®, within which structures and land features can be measured. Pictometry customizes and markets these technologies for government and commercial applications, offering non-traditional software solutions to aerial imaging needs. Pictometry’s imagery and software enables users to “See Everywhere, Measure Anything, Plan Everything”® using a patented digital information system. Pictometry has its headquarters in Rochester, NY and an office in Europe. Pictometry is a second order visualization tool that does not produce authoritative or definitive information (surveying) from its digital, aerial images. For more information on Pictometry, visit http://www.pictometry.com/.

Appraisers Benefit from ACI’s Alternative Use Appraisal Reports

June 28, 2007, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, the leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced today that HomePuter®, a provider of real estate appraisal software, has entered into a special arrangement with ACI that allows HomePuter to provide ACI’s GPAR™ (General Purpose Appraisal Report) to its clients nationwide.

The desire for alternate use appraisal reports has been an industry wide need since the release of the updated Fannie Mae forms in 2005. More than a year ago, ACI released its first GPAR form, which was developed by ACI’s on-staff Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA), Richard Heyn.

As a result of positive feedback from the first GPAR release, ACI with its in-house appraiser, proceeded to develop a library of alternative-use forms to satisfy various property types. The GPAR forms now include: Condo, Single Family, Multi Family, and Land, with Restricted Use and the Plus Series forms to follow shortly.

“We recognize there are a number of alternate-use forms available in the market today. However, appraisers continue to ask for ACI’s GPAR. I applaud ACI for having the vision to create a winning solution for ACI appraisers and for working with HomePuter to provide GPAR to our appraisers,” said Andrew Romano, President, HomePuter.

“Appraisers, appraisal instructors, and appraisal software companies recognize GPAR as a viable solution to the non-lending assignment dilemma — and for obvious reasons. GPAR is a natural for cloning files and transferring data quickly, with no learning curve necessary for users familiar with the URAR. As a result of our arrangement with HomePuter, the HomePuter appraisers will now join the thousands of ACI appraisers with access to GPAR,” said George Opelka, Senior Vice President, ACI.

GPAR is currently available through ACI and HomePuter. Interested parties may contact George Opelka, ACI Senior Vice President.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team possess the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

May 21, 2007, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry has added continuing education to its portfolio of services for appraisal professionals. Rich Heyn, SRA, ACI’s Compliance Director and an AQB certified USPAP instructor, serves as lead facilitator in ACI’s Continuing Education (“CE”) program.

Last month, Appraisers from all over the country attended the ACI hosted, Appraisal Institute approved seminar: Liability Management for Residential Appraisers. The seminar was developed by ACI’s Compliance Director, and attendees earned seven hours of CE credit.

Liability Management is designed to guide new appraisers in developing liability avoidance strategies early in their career, as well assist seasoned appraisers in assessing and modifying their existing loss prevention policies. The seminar covers issues relating to USPAP, the ASB, and Fannie Mae’s revised appraisal and property forms.

With over 30 years of appraisal experience, ACI’s Compliance Director currently develops and teaches a variety of continuing education seminars on a national basis. Professionals seek the knowledge of a seasoned professional when navigating an increasingly competitive and complex industry; and Rich’s expertise makes him ideally suited to assist appraisers today. Rich’s recent seminar on the URAR form, developed for the Appraisal Institute, was attended by over 10,000 appraisers in the past twelve months.

“Tapping into Rich’s knowledge and sharing this resource with appraisers, lenders, and other industry professionals is a significant coup for the entire valuation community,” said Dave Roberts, President, ACI.

“Our clients represent leaders throughout the valuation industry, and our seminars offer a learning environment that fulfills appraisers’ CE obligation, while at the same time, providing relevant and useful information.” said Rich Heyn. “I’m particularly excited that the ACI clients will be among the first to have access to two new seminars currently in development.”

Interested parties may visit http://www.appraiserschoice.com/ for information on upcoming CE seminars presented by ACI.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team possess the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

Appraisal Software Leader Expands Product Offering

April 3, 2007, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced today the acquisition of the Real Estate Exchange Depot™ (REXDepot™), an Internet-based management platform for appraisers.

Marking ACI’s fourth acquisition during the Microsoft Windows era, REXDepot™ rounds out an already robust product portfolio. REXDepot™ will continue to expand as a product under the guidance and control of ACI and will serve as a vehicle to further extend ACI’s leadership role in the appraisal technology industry.

“ACI is a dominant force in the world of appraisal software. REXDepot™ needed the vision, leadership, and commitment of an industry leader like ACI to reach the next level,” said Steve Smith, founder, REXDepot™. “As both the founder and as a customer of REXDepot™, I’m excited for my appraisal business and for all of the customers using the system.”

REXDepot™ was designed to improve operational efficiencies for appraisers and their clients. It boasts a complete, web-based, appraisal office management system, allowing appraisers to easily coordinate assignments, communicate with clients, track accounts receivables, prepare payroll reports, and more.

“REXDepot™ represents another exciting addition to the services that ACI provides to appraisers,” said Dave Roberts, President, ACI. “With this acquisition, we are committed to advancing the REXDepot™ platform for the benefit of both ACI clients, as well as non-ACI brand users.”

Interested parties may contact ACI Sales at 800-234-8727 for further information.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier appraisers, lenders, and national appraisal companies. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team possess the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

Full Product Integration Available through ACI

March 26, 2007, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced today that ACI2006™ now provides full integration with Apex Medina. This latest offering from Apex boasts a cleaner interface, easier usability, and over 50 enhancements and features.

“ACI was our first integration partner, and it all began with a hand shake back in the 90’s. That means a lot to me,” commented Randall H. Garrett, CEO and founder of Apex Software. “Ever since then, we’ve enjoyed a unique relationship with ACI that continues to this very day. We’re ecstatic about the Medina integration with a great product like ACI, and we’re looking forward to doing even more together.”

The Medina integration is just the latest development in ACI’s continual affirmation of its commitment to clients through enhancements, unique offerings, and integrated products from industry partners. The latest generation of Apex’s desktop sketching software ties together functionality with efficiency and allows ACI users to take advantage of feature-rich pairings that add to the many benefits already available through ACI.

“I am always pleased when we can provide our clients the latest industry product and the Medina integration is no exception. Apex has been a partner of ACI since 1995 and their products are an offering that we are pleased to sell, as well as support, directly.” said George Opelka, Senior Vice President, ACI. 

Apex Medina is now available through ACI at introductory pricing. Interested parties may contact ACI Sales at 800-234-8727.

About Apex

Apex Software is a business applications developer serving 130,000 customers in the real estate valuation and mobile professional markets. Apex Sketching Software, an industry standard for 20 years, offers fast, easy, high quality sketching and enclosed area calculations. For more information, contact Apex at 800-858-9958 or visit http://www.apexwin.com/v5/home.php.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier appraisers, lenders, and national appraisal companies. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team possess the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

Advanced Sketching Solution Connects with The Appraisers Choice™

November 20, 2006, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced today that RapidSketch™, an advanced software application for creating floor plan diagrams, is now fully integrated with ACI2006™. RapidSketch™ is a product of Utilant, a New York-based company that provides sketching solutions for appraisers and insurance inspectors.

With RapidSketch™, ACI brings yet another offering to the already feature-rich ACI2006™ appraisal software. Combining innovation and utility, RapidSketch™ introduces several new concepts to the floor plan software industry that make mouse drawing intuitive, easy, and incredibly powerful.

“We are thrilled that ACI, the definitive leader amongst appraisal software companies has completed the RapidSketch™ integration. Offering RapidSketch™ with ACI2006™ means that we are positioned alongside a product that reaches thousands of appraisers each day and able to help them experience a faster, more efficient way to complete their appraisal reports. We couldn’t ask for a better partner or product platform in this industry,” said Patrick Davis, partner, Utilant.

“Appraisers took an instant liking to RapidSketch™ when the product was initially previewed at the Valuation Expo in Las Vegas,” said George Opelka, vice president, ACI. “With RapidSketch™, ACI continues its commitment of providing superior product choice and stability while meeting the ever-growing needs of appraisers."

RapidSketch™ is now available with introductory pricing. All interested parties may contact ACI Sales at 800-234-8727

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

ACI Appraisers to Benefit from Integrated Real-time Data

September 6, 2006, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced today that it has signed an agreement to offer Bluebook’s InsureBASE™ product, a residential property analytics and replacement cost solution. As a result of this agreement, Bluebook now joins a premier list of eServices available nationwide to thousands of ACI appraisers.

Bluebook has been in the rebuilding, repair and replacement cost business for over 40 years, serving residential real estate and insurance industries. InsureBASE™ provides a reliable and objective estimate of the cost to rebuild a property in the event of a total loss.

In order to improve accuracy, Bluebook’s data is based on numerous information sources including actual total losses, related contractor bids, and insurance claim audits, rather than large scale tract development or ZIP code average pricing. This allows InsureBASE™ to support costs down to the neighborhood level. In order to minimize cost update delays, InsureBASE™ data is updated as the market requires, through its integrated live server, providing current calculations in line with today’s market conditions.

ACI2006™ will incorporate a custom eService connection to InsureBASE™ for appraisers to interact with Bluebook’s estimator. InsureBASE™ performs the intricate cost calculations required to produce detailed breakouts with applicable, trade-specific depreciation, and through the ACI eService integration, cost calculation results are retrieved in real-time and automatically incorporated into the appraisal report.

“ACI appraisers rely on and appreciate the efficiencies gained through integrations to services like Bluebook. This special arrangement allows ACI to pass along benefits to our clients, while offering Bluebook products at a substantial discount. This is just one example of The Appraiser’s Choice™ working at its best. Commitment to quality, containment of costs, and upholding the values of the industry, all while offering choices that make a difference; these are some of the reasons appraisers prefer ACI,” said George Opelka, Vice President, ACI.

“The integration with ACI brings the best of both worlds to appraisers in one application,” said Silvia San Nicolas, Senior Corporate Strategist and General Counsel for Bluebook. “Delivering InsureBASE™ with ACI software offers appraisers superior cost calculations through a highly accurate, integrated, easy to use cost analytics tool. This will save appraisers time and enhance confidence in their URAR Cost Approach and Replacement Cost Calculations.”

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

About The Bluebook

Bluebook International, Inc. provides accurate "on demand" residential cost analysis and value reports for nearly 91% of the nation's single family residences. Users can easily determine replacement, actual cash value, depreciation, structure value, property risk and repair costs affordably within minutes from a single source. Bluebook's proven solutions reduce cycle time, enhance productivity and mitigate risks for the property and casualty insurance industry, residential real estate, lending, appraisal, and related services markets. Bluebook's web services solutions is an industry first technology that readily integrates with client systems using award winning technology and standards.

GPAR™ and AI Reports™ Provide ACI Appraisers with Choices
for Alternate Use Appraisal Assignments

March 6, 2006, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, today announced the release of GPAR™ (General Purpose Appraisal Report) and AI Reports™ as alternate-use valuation products that are available in ACI 2006, the latest release of ACI’s signature appraisal software.

The reasons behind the development of alternate valuation reports are the changes necessitated by Fannie Mae’s new forms.  The 2005 Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (“URAR”) is limited to appraisals involving lenders and lending transactions; as a result, the new URAR is not appropriate for appraisals where the intended use involves divorce, estate, pre-listing, pre-purchase or any use other than lending. As a result of these changes, the Appraisal Institute developed AI Reports™ and ACI developed GPAR™.

“AI Reports is an excellent vehicle for reporting assignment results in a variety of situations,” said Rich Heyn, SRA, and Director of Compliance for ACI. “Still many of our clients wanted something that ‘looked and felt’ more like the new URAR and had a high level of data file compatibility for easy ‘cloning’ between the two formats. We responded with GPAR, which is essentially a condensed, more logically sequenced version of the URAR with a very ‘appraiser-friendly’ set of assignment conditions and plenty of room for expanded scope of work disclosure.”

“GPAR is ACI’s answer to an industry need and a reinforcement of our commitment to stay in touch with appraisers at the individual level.  We are pleased with the final result and want our clients to know that we intend to continue providing products that provide answers to the issues that arise as the industry continues to evolve,” said George Opelka, Vice President of ACI.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes.

Heyn’s Industry Expertise to Provide Guidance to ACI Appraisers

February 23, 2006, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced today that Richard Heyn, SRA, will serve as the company’s Director of Compliance. Heyn, a highly visible and recognized name in the appraisal industry, will prove an invaluable asset to ACI clients as they face continual changes associated with the appraisal profession.

As the Director of Compliance, Heyn will assist ACI’s product design team in developing concepts that aid ACI appraisers in maintaining compliance with USPAP, secondary market guidelines, and individual lender requirements. Additionally, ACI will leverage Heyn’s skills to provide a number of direct and indirect value-added services for appraisers, including speaking engagements at appraisal-related seminars and trade shows, an ACI Advisory Group, and “Ask Rich” — a Q&A column dedicated to appraisal-related issues.

“The opportunity to work with a world class organization like ACI and have the ability to make a positive impact on the appraisal community is a tremendous privilege,” said Heyn, “I look forward to combining my expertise with the resources, knowledge, and dedication of ACI.”

An appraiser and pioneer in the development of appraisal-related software and technology, Heyn’s background and credentials also include AQB Certified USPAP instructor, seminar developer and industry educator. As an educator, Heyn has developed and instructed continuing education seminars for the Appraisal Institute for over 10 years—his most recent seminar was attended by more than 10,000 appraisers. Heyn’s knowledge will provide ACI appraisers with industry expertise that will further enhance ACI’s product development by targeting specific needs of the industry with a high level of accuracy and relevancy.

“Having Rich as our Director of Compliance further underscores our focus and commitment to appraisers,” said Dave Roberts, President of ACI. “He’s been extremely active in developing and teaching seminars that closely relate to the business, and his extensive interaction with appraisers nationwide makes him an excellent resource from which both ACI and its clients will benefit.”

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes. ACI’s solutions are custom-configured to fit the unique characteristics of each enterprise, at the same time offering the stability of tried and true technology that works in today’s market.

February 6, 2006, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced that its corporate parent, ISO Claims Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Insurance Services Office, Inc. (“ISO”), has filed a civil action in Federal Court in Jacksonville, Florida against Appraisal.com, Inc. of Buffalo, New York .

The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Appraisal.com and its Day One division, in violation of ACI’s rights, reverse engineered all or parts of ACI’s proprietary computer programs and computer files and distributed copies of ACI proprietary software without ACI’s consent. ACI seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief.

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes. ACI’s solutions are custom-configured to fit the unique characteristics of each enterprise, at the same time offering the stability of tried-and-true technology that works in today’s market.

About ISO

ISO is a leading provider of products and services that help measure, manage and reduce risk. ISO provides data, analytics and decision-support solutions to professionals in many fields, including insurance, finance, real estate, health services, government and human resources. Clients use ISO's databases and services to classify and evaluate a variety of risks and detect potential fraud. In the U.S. and around the world, ISO's services help customers protect people, property and financial assets.

Appraisal.com no longer has access to the thousands of ACI and Lighthouse™ eService enabled appraisers

February 2, 2006, Palm Coast, FL. ACI, a leading innovator in technology for the valuation industry, announced that it has terminated its Electronic Bridge Agreement with Appraisal.com, effective immediately. The termination means that ACI will no longer provide eService integration to the Appraisal.com network through the ACI and Lighthouse™ software products.

Lighthouse provides integration across major appraisal software brands and continues to be the preferred data delivery format for many of the industry’s largest appraisal companies. ACI eServices is a component of both ACI and Lighthouse that provides thousands of appraisers with the ability to deliver appraisals electronically.

“The relationship with Appraisal.com did not materialize as we had expected; as such, we can not move forward with them as a business partner,” said Dave Roberts, President of ACI. “This action was in the best interest of our company and customers.”

About ACI

ACI, a pioneer in crafting technology solutions for the valuation community, has gained industry-wide recognition and support from leaders in the field. ACI’s highly scalable appraisal solutions ensure a partnership tailored to the needs of the organizations it services. The ACI client base features many of North America's premier lenders, national appraisal companies, and real estate brokerage firms. From connecting appraisers nationwide to streamlining quality control, the flexibility provided gives organizations the means for processing appraisals and managing exceptions in a consistent and efficient manner.

Headquartered in Palm Coast, Florida, ACI’s management and development team garner the type of experience coveted by decision makers responsible for bringing synergy to their daily workflows and processes. ACI’s solutions are custom-configured to fit the unique characteristics of each enterprise, at the same time offering the stability of tried-and-true technology that works in today’s market.