PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deborah Clark
Software Techniques, Inc.
407-677-6616

Software Techniques, Inc. Announces Significant CustomCAMA Product Enhancements
New Features Available in 4th Quarter 2002

STI has made significant advancements in our CustomCAMA product offering. Although hundreds of small changes have been made during the last 6 months, all of which improve the feature set, usability and benefit to the user, some significant changes are going to be announced this October.

Improved Drawing Sketch Tool
The drawing sketch tool has undergone significant development and is both available as an integrated component in the CAMA system as well as a stand-a-lone utility. The tool, which includes all the basic functionality of lines, polygons and arcs, also allows users to record notes, annotations, and year built by sub area. The system uses an “open” format that reads legacy traverse strings in a variety of syntaxes and stores them in an un-protected format for easy migration to other drawing utilities if ever the need should arise. Area calculations and proofs are available using two different area calculation techniques and color coding and shading are also available. Many easy-to-use drawing aids have been added to enable auto-close, horizontal, and vertical snap, undo and redo as well as simpler adding, moving and adjusting existing areas.

WEB-Based Interface
The new eCAMA interface is scheduled for release in the 4th quarter 2002. Designed to enable users to access the CAMA system via both the client/server interface and the Web interface simultaneously, the eCAMA interface will make remote access to the CAMA system as easy as surfing the Internet. The eCAMA interface will provide view and edit access to all CAMA data and will use STI’s advance security features to control access. Although the eCAMA interface can function as a client/server replacement, it is positioned as an add-on interface and will be included in the CustomCAMA site license. The eCAMA interface shares the same intuitive design as the client/server interface to allow an easy transition from one interface to the other.

Field Collection Device
STI’s optional hand held, field collection device based on the popular Compaq iPAQ, will be available in the 4th quarter 2002. This device, originally designed for Hillsborough County, Florida, will enable the tracking of Triennial’s, Extra Features, Structural Elements and other basic property characteristics. The handheld also runs ESRI’s handheld mapping software to provide a versatile and complete view of CAMA and GIS data while out in the field. Wireless access, available 1st quarter 2003, can enable field updates to be done in real time without upload/download or the user can select the more traditional “download and lock” transfer method. The new handhelds will not replace field notebooks where a full version of the application and database can be taken out to the field and data replicated back to the main server upon return. Instead, they will provide a lightweight alternative for particular in-the-field data reviews and collection tasks.

Enhanced GIS Integration
The current GIS integration is based in a large part on ESRI’s ARC/IMS toolset. This provides the ability to print and display maps from any CAMA search, such as a sales, neighborhood or regression search. Users can also interact with the maps to select parcels or groups of parcels for mass update or to assign a parcel ID number to a polygon on the map. The new release will be based both on ARC/IMS and other ESRI software and will permit CAMA users, with proper security, to modify the polygons in the parcel layer to accomplish CAMA based splits and joins. Designed to streamline the process of creating new parcels without splitting the task between traditional GIS applications and CAMA applications, the new GIS features will result in simplified processing and a savings in time and effort.

Improved Query Builder
The CustomCAMA system currently provides more extensive searching, filtering and result set processing capabilities than any other CAMA system on the market today and we are pleased to announce an extension to the query facilities. In addition to the ad-hoc query capability and many specific search menu options, users will be able to build queries using a simplified query-building tool enabling all end users to build even the most sophisticated queries. This is designed to ease the creation of queries for regression studies as well as many other complex searching requirements.

CASS Certification
The CustomCAMA system has currently been enhanced to include CASS certification without any need to import or export records. The new CASS features requires a subscription to the CASS database which is available from STI’s web site or via CD-Rom. The CAMA system tracks the CASS status of every parcel and generates all the necessary forms to ensure the best possible pricing in all mailings. Users can CASS certify the entire list of owner names, or just those included in a limited mailing. Since every appraisal district is required to send bulk correspondence and Taxpayer notifications, such as TRIM notices, exemption reminder cards and tangible tax returns this will result in simplified CASS processing and ensure that all mailings take advantage of the lowest rates. Interactive CASS certification, which will certify the address as it is entered, will be available in 1st quarter 2003.

Workflow Extensions
STI currently offers a parcel centric workflow system that seamlessly integrates tasks and work queues with imaging, parcels and business processes such as exemption filing and permits. We have extended the workflow system to be both parcel and non-parcel centric. This will benefit an Appraisal office by enabling users to manage non-parcel related tasks within the workflow system. Users can create any number of tasks or work flows, attach electronic documents and images to the task and route them between groups and individual users. All the management reports, such as time on a queue, time to completion, number of tasks per user or group, etc., will be available. In addition, the sophisticated routing tables and manual routing options will be available to automate the sequencing of steps for any business process.