FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked support questions:

1. Q: What is PDspect Asset Condition Report Software?
   A: It is a tool that you can use to quickly and easily create reports that you can send to your asset managers to show the condition of properties you are responsible for.


2. Q: How do I add a cover page to my reports?
   A: Go to Setup->Print Settings, and click on the 'Page Options' tab. Select the 'Print a cover page at the beginning of the report' checkbox. Now when you go to Print, Print Preview, or to create a PDF, the cover page data screen opens and a cover page will be part of your report.


3. Q: Is it easy to use?
   A: Yes it is. It is designed to be used by non computer people and we work with many clients who are not "computer experts".


4. Q: How does the information get from the PDA to a computer in the office?
   A: You can easily sync the information from the PDA to a computer with a USB cable.


5. Q: Can I print a report on site?
   A: Yes, you can print a full report or just a summary of the defects/problem areas found.


6. Q: Do you have forms for multi family (ie duplex)?
   A: Yes, we have forms available for duplex and four family structures.


7. Q: Can I add new items to the dropdown lists?
   A: Yes, it is very easy.


8. Q: How do I drag and drop pictures into my report?
   A: Resize the PDspect window so that it does not take up the entire screen. Open up the folder that contains your pictures and resize it so that you can see your pictures alongside the program window. All you have to do now is click and drag the picture(s) you want to add, and drag it to the line in the software you wish to add it to. Check out the Adding Pictures to Your Report tutorial for more information.


9. Q: What do the reports look like?
   A: You have a lot of control over the way the reports look including the ability to change fonts, colors, styles and add your logo.


10. Q: How do I add my company logo to each page of the report?
    A: Go to Setup->Print Settings and click on the 'Page Layout' tab. Go to the 'Company Logo' section and click on the '...' button next to the 'Image file' box. Now simply locate your logo file and select 'OK'.


11. Q: How do I email a report?
    A: Open the report you wish to email and select the menu option for 'Create a PDF'. The first screen that appears gives you the option to add additional security to the PDF so select whether or not you want to. Once the PDF is created you have three options for your PDF, select 'Email'. The software will look to see what you default email client is and automatically create an email with your PDF attached.
    
    If you do not use email software, and instead log on to a web account, PDspect is not able to open your email program. You will need to log into your email, start a new message, and then attach the PDF of the report. PDFs of reports save to same location as the report file. The default location for the files is "PDspect ACRS" in your Documents folder. Check out the Creating A PDF tutorial for more information.


12. Q: Is there a discount for multiple users
    A: Yes, the initial purchase is $499 and comes with 2 license keys, each additional key is $199. Contact us at 888-695-7682 to purchase 25 or more keys at a time.


13. Q: Do you have a money back guarantee?
    A: No, once you purchase the software, it is licensed to you for a full year.


14. Q: What kind of support do I get?
    A: There are numerous support resources available on the web site, as well as, the ability to submit a question via email. If you e-mail support, we will attempt to answer your question within 4 business hours Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM Eastern.


15. Q: Do you have telephone support?
    A: Telephone support is available for a fee Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM Eastern. You can call for live technical support at: 513-741-6162. The cost is $50 for the first 20 minutes and $60/hour after the first 20 minutes are up.


16. Q: Do you have training?
    A: There are many recorded videos on the web site covering basic and advanced topics.


17. Q: Can I insert pictures on the Pocket PC?
    A: Yes - You can take the card out of your camera and plug it into the Pocket PC.


18. Q: How can I send an individual file from my desktop to my Pocket PC?
    A: Open the file you want to send, and go to File-> Send to Pocket PC. Only the open file will be transferred to your Pocket PC.


19. Q: How do I delete old reports from my Pocket PC after they have been copied to my desktop computer?
    A: Go to Edit->Delete Old Reports on your Pocket PC. You have the option to delete files from both your Work Area and your Archive location. Simply tell it how far back you want to delete and press 'Continue'.


20. Q: How do I make it so that ratings appear as text and not checkboxes on the report?
    A: Go to Setup->Print Settings and go to the "Page Options" tab. At the bottom of the screen you will see a section called 'Ratings'. Select 'As Text' from the drop-down box next to 'View Ratings'.


21. Q: How do I edit the ratings that are used?
    A: Go to Edit->Ratings, select 'REO', and the select 'Edit'. Check out the Editing Rating Sets tutorial for more information.


22. Q: Can I modify the forms?
    A: Yes, you can delete, rearrange, rename and add to everything in the report.


23. Q: Do I have to have an internet connection to use the software onsite?
    A: No, you can work onsite completely disconnected.


24. Q: Does it run on a Blackberry?
    A: No, it runs on anything that runs Windows or Windows Mobile.


25. Q: Does it run on an iPhone?
    A: No, it runs on anything that runs Windows or Windows Mobile.


26. Q: Does it run on my PDA?
    A: If your PDA has Windows Mobile on it, it will.


27. Q: How do I open a backed up file?
    A: PDspect automatically saves a back up copy of each report file you complete in your archive location. On a PC (not a PDA), this folder is in your Documents folder under PDspect ACRS/Archive. Simply double click on a report file to open it. On a Pocket PC, you can open a backed up report by clicking on the 'Show files in Archive' box at the bottom of the Open File Window.


28. Q: Does the program have to be run on a PDA/handheld device?
    A: No, it can be run on a desktop/laptop/tablet/netbook PC. The program will run on anything that runs a version of Windows or Windows Mobile.


29. Q: Can I order a PDA from PDspect?
    A: Yes, we sell Pocket PCs made by Hewlett Packard for $399. They will come with the program already installed and ready to use out of the box. Simply call us at 888-695-7682 to place a hardware order.


30. Q: Can you read the Pocket PC screens in the sunlight?
    A: Yes, they have special screens on them to make them easy to see in the sunlight.


31. Q: How do I restore a library backup?
    A: Close the program and go to your Documents folder and look in "PDspect ACRS/Data/bkup". Inside this folder you will see several backup copies of your library REObak1, REObak2...). Look at the date of the different backups, and locate the one you want to restore. Copy the file and paste it in "PDspect ACRS/Data". All you need to do now is remove the file in the Data folder named 'REO.ptlib' and then rename the backed up library file you just copied into it 'REO.ptlib' to replace it.


32. Q: Can you take my current forms and scan them into your software?
    A: The forms won't scan directly into our software, however, we are able to create custom forms in the software that will look like your forms. If you would like to know how much it will cost to recreate your forms, call us at 888-695-7682 and we provide you with an estimate.


33. Q: Will it create work orders?
    A: No, but it will generate a summary where it lists all the problems found.


34. Q: Can PDspect integrate with a program I already use?
    A: No, the software can export to XML or ASCII, but there is no direct connection with other programs.