DaVinci Debuts at a la mode Convention

a la mode labs produces its first prototype – field inspection management Application
for Tablet and Ultra Mobile PCs.

Las Vegas, NV – a la mode, one of the most mission critical and influential technology companies in the real estate industry, launched a revolutionary prototype of a new appraisal inspection data gathering and analysis application with built in area sketcher, Davinci, at its Annual Convention.

The new software is the first prototype released by a la mode labs, a research and development "idea farm" whose mission is to bring the best new big ideas to life for the nation's real estate appraisers. A DaVinci CD was distributed to some 1,000 convention attendees with a secret "unlock" password they learned at the event's opening session.

Appraisers will use the full release version of DaVinci, when it comes out, to gather data about houses they are appraising and make area sketches of the interior layout. The inspection and area sketch are the most critical parts of an appraisal and of appraisal reports delivered to mortgage lender clients.

The prototype is fully functional and free, and a la mode labs is seeking feedback from appraiser attendees at the convention and practicing appraisers everywhere.

"Appraisers adopt new technology faster than most participants in the real estate process, and are among the most demanding," said Dave Biggers, a la mode's Founder and Chairman. "For years, they've been demanding a field inspection tool that works the way they do, powerful and flexible enough to help them form credible, professional opinions of value – not just help them fill out appraisal forms.

"The mainstream availability of Tablet PCs and now Ultra Mobile PCs, together with vastly improved handwriting recognition interfaces, have provided the hardware," Biggers added. "Now a field inspection program can finally be developed based on appraisers' wish lists, not what makes programmers most comfortable."

DaVinci is a superior data gathering application because its room to room workflow, two-way interaction with desktop form filling software back at the office and high level of customization allow appraisers to work the way they work best.

And DaVinci's sketcher, based off Utilant's RapidSketch source code, is the most powerful yet simple in the industry.

"a la mode choosing to use RapidSketch components for their cutting edge DaVinci field application is a huge advantage for appraisers used to separately integrated sketch products," commented RapidSketch Partner Patrick Davis. "Giving the forms provider full control over the sketch portion of the appraisal makes sense as it gives them seamless control over the integration, printout and data which saves appraisers time and headaches.

"We know appraisers will be impressed by the tablet sketching and data collection being offered within DaVinci."

a la mode labs is a new effort, fronted by four Research Fellows who are practicing appraisers, to imagine ways to develop technology to make appraisers more efficient and profitable. a la mode's resources are then leveraged to develop the best ideas into marketable products. DaVinci is the first public fruit of the labs project.

Convention attendees are seeing DaVinci in action at the a la mode labs booth in the event's exhibit hall at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino here. Learn more about DaVinci

About RapidSketch
Founded in 2005, RapidSketch develops desktop, mobile, and web based sketch tools for the insurance inspection, appraisal, and real estate industries. RapidSketch's primary focus is to create innovative, easy to use, and accurate sketchers that change the way people think about how sketching should work. As a small company; RapidSketch focuses on what's important, providing the best products possible with minimal overhead, which equals savings and value to our end users. For more information, visit http://www.rapidsketch.com.

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About a la mode

Founded in 1985, a la mode develops desktop tools, mobile tools, web sites for real estate professionals, mortgage brokers, and appraisers. a la mode's flagship product, WinTOTAL form-filling software for appraisers leads the residential appraisal industry. a la mode's Mercury Network, a vendor management platform for lenders, provides the most experienced local appraisers in an HVCC-compliant, easy-to-use loan ordering and management application. a la mode's mission-critical products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, agents, inspectors, and lending professionals to complete the nation's real estate transactions. The company's state-of-the-art offices are located in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC. To learn more, visit www.alamode.com.