WHICH XACTIMATE PLATFORM TO CHOOSE?

My students ask me this question a lot! It depends on your needs but between the 3, I prefer the Desktop version. Let’s look at the advantages / disadvantages.
 
Desktop – The program is on your computer so as long as you are not logged out, you will always have access to the program (that is very important – if you log out and go into an area with no internet, you cannot open the program). You are not relying on the internet so typically it will work faster and better (no matter how good your computer is, without good internet you are handicapped). The desktop also has more functions and settings than the other 2. And you can load it on more than 1 computer but can only use it on 1 computer.
 
Online – this is an easy one – Since the program is not on your computer, no internet - no Xactimate! Go into a Cat area where the cell towers are knocked out and you are dead in the water. It relies on your internet connection, so if it is bad – well, you know. It is limited compared to the Desktop version with some features missing in the preferences. You can access your XM8 from any computer because it’s on the web, which is an advantage, but how often do you actually work on other than your main computer. It is often used by people trying to game the system because they think they don’t have to purchase more than 1 license and more than 1 person can use it, but you can only use it on 1 computer at a time (more than 1 person can’t access it). Carriers use it a lot which makes no sense to me because when a whole bunch of people get on the internet at the same time, things slow down. When teaching carriers, I always had to wait on slow responses from students; drove me nuts!
 
Mobile – This is a terrific option to speed up your time in the field. The Lidar in the Sketch AR makes sketching easier and faster and the voice recognition also makes labelling easier and faster. But I wouldn’t select it in lieu of the desktop version. There are many things that can’t be done on the mobile version, that can be completed on the desktop version. This option is best in conjunction with the Desktop version which brings me to the answer to the original question:
 
If you can afford it, get the Professional version because you get all 3 platforms and with it all the advantages. But that is just my opinion.

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