Custom Decs - What do they integrate with other than Summary of Ins?

Jan Regnier · February 04, 2011, 05:22:30 PM

I use - create custom decs and I know they can be used in Summary of Ins. - What else can they be integrated with? Thanks!

brinkerdana · February 04, 2011, 05:37:33 PM

Proposals, letters?

Jan Regnier · February 04, 2011, 05:44:47 PM

Thanks, Dana

I thought that was the case and I could have gone to AS to search but I figured I would get confirmation here much faster!

brinkerdana · February 04, 2011, 05:46:38 PM

You're welcome, Jan.

It's been a long time since I put in a custom dec. Don't know if I'd remember how to do it now. I remember it being quite a PITA!

Lance Bateman · February 04, 2011, 06:31:10 PM

Can also integrate to an ACORD form, but it is difficult.

Hans Manhave · February 07, 2011, 07:19:03 PM

You can also combine them in reporting functions with other data files (for example, policy.dbf, tfile.dbf others) and extract all kinds of interesting info. Limited only by your imagination.

Any info or database key (read on) not provided in the system, you can stick in a custom dec. Just not much data control (enforcing data type), but that also can be figured out by reporting. An example of entering database key info: one could enter the current policy number in a field and the previous policy number. Supposedly those would be entered correctly, of course. Then you can create a "ladder" to get back and forth in Excel or whatever you care to use. You can also select records based on certain values stored in the dec page, requires a bit more knowledge, but very very handy.

Custom decs are cool, I think one of the coolest features of TAM. I know other softwares have a similar feature, but not quite is nice. I started with a single page one years ago, and now have 5 page ones as standard and about to figure on page six. Before I know it, I'll run into a limitation.

Lance Bateman · February 07, 2011, 07:30:35 PM

Too bad it's still a DOS application. Good part - have used it for 20 years.

brinkerdana · February 08, 2011, 04:53:28 AM

No I know who to ask next time I have to do a new custom dec!

Jim Jensen · February 08, 2011, 09:36:31 AM

Quote from: brinkerdana on February 08, 2011, 04:53:28 AM
No I know who to ask next time I have to do a new custom dec!

It seems that documentation of using Custom decs seems to be seriously lacking too. If better documentation was available, I think more would use them better. Myself, I've never setup any integration from them. However, our local chapter will be having a class on it and I'll be there for that one! Maybe I can finally create some better documents using some of the custom forms I created 12 years ago.

brinkerdana · February 08, 2011, 06:00:59 PM

I have a really old document for setting up custom decs. Since they're DOS, I assume the instructions haven't changed much. I'll have to dig in some boxes in the back of a closet, but I find it, I'll post it.

/d

Lance Bateman · February 08, 2011, 06:20:56 PM

Documentation from Applied hasn't changed at all.

What would really help would be all the "do's" and "don'ts" regarding setting them up, changing them, or replacing them. Even some of the prompts could use a bit more explanation.

Hans Manhave · February 08, 2011, 06:56:42 PM

Quote from: Lance Bateman on February 08, 2011, 06:20:56 PM
Documentation from Applied hasn't changed at all.

What would really help would be all the "do's" and "don'ts" regarding setting them up, changing them, or replacing them. Even some of the prompts could use a bit more explanation.

I agree with a prompt revision. When creating a new form, if I enter 'yes' instead of 'no' in the setup procedure, I may as well erase the form if it has a problem and start over. More descriptive prompts would be helpful and avoid guess work. But once you're into designing one, then the fun starts.

One helpful hint: the first variable of each page is where the cursor lands when you open the page. Create a single character junk field anywhere on each page, (cursor control will help with this), and you will keep from overtyping important stuff.