Currently, there is quite a buzz going on at the Austin Board of Realtors about a possible change in the MLS provider.  In order for you to understand why this process is important and why it deserves your attention, I believe it is best to shed some light on how this decision came to fruition.

About a year and a half ago, the Austin Board of Realtors was chosen by CoreLogic (their current MLS provider) to beta test CoreLogic’s newest MLS platform, Fusion.  Since the association already utilized a CoreLogic platform, MLXchange, and knowing that particular product would not advance with emerging technology the association decided to proceed by building a task force of member volunteers to beta test and provide feedback.  At the initial Fusion product demonstration, the member volunteers saw the  Fusion dashboard, were wow’d by all the fancy features and sparkly enhancements and after being informed it would be a cross browser/iPad compatible product the group of approximately 100 appeared to be thrilled.  They conducted business within the Fusion platform giving feedback prior to each new release.

Sadly, CoreLogic didn’t launch a fully operational product at kick off and the luster wore off quite quickly within the test group.  Unfortunately, that forced many to resort back to the old school platform, MLXchange, to conduct the majority of their business in a timely manner.  It wasn’t until the last phase roll out (the last out of four) when it was possible to conduct almost 100% of their business within the new platform.  It took CoreLogic four releases to launch an almost completely functioning product… notice the word almost and I’ll elaborate more later.  Throughout the course of the year, aesthetic feedback as well as bug issues were reported to the association, to the association’s third party consultant and directly onto the provider, CoreLogic.  There were pages upon pages of bugs reported within the first of the four releases and many still exist today.

During phase three, a member volunteer  inquired when ALL the bugs would be addressed and they received this response, “the provider will not be addressing any changes to the system until ABoR committed to proceed with a new contract with the provider.”  What… I thought to myself “did I just hear what I thought I heard.”  I shook my head in utter disbelief because I considered that utter nonsense.  A true beta test is a two way street, not only were we to test their system to see if it was a system ABoR wanted to adopt but we as users were testing the companies ability to efficiently address issues and concerns within their platform.  In phase three, a bug was reported regarding fatal printing errors while utilizing the Safari browser.  As of today, the bug still isn’t fixed forcing a user to jot down all their information and start again in a new browser such as IE, Firefox or Chrome.  Since printing is still a vital part of the business, this bug should have been VERY high on the priority list being fixed immediately or at least at the next phase released.  Obviously it wasn’t and still today a user is forced to utilize another browser to utilize all the functions of CoreLogic’s platform Fusion.  This lack of functionality makes the product definitely not full cross browser compatible as originally promised.  I must say… what a let down!

As the months go by more and more agents are becoming more virtual.  A larger percentage of their daily business is done in virtual spaces, including the need to search MLS.  These agents want to utilize any and all of their electronic devices whether it be a computer, a phone, an iPad or another tablet device to conduct business while in the field.  They do not want limitations.  During the launch of Fusion, CoreLogic stated their product would be iPad compatible, BUT the user must download a separate app in order to use the MLS.  The additional app is necessary because of compatibility issues with Apple and flash which I’ll elaborate on later.  I’ve personally had an opportunity to utilize the earlier Fusion app,  Citrix and I’m honestly there are no words that positively describe the experience.  I just ended up telling my clients, I’ll have to finish up at the office and provide information to you at a later time.  Now, CoreLogic has a newer tool (another app) to allow an enhanced iPad MLS browsing experience called Fusion Experience.  It is still extremely difficult to navigate through and MLS information sheets do not display on one single pane.  In order to obtain necessary information, the scrolling sidebar must be utilized not the swipe strokes commonly used for tablet devices.  Honestly, I’d rather poke my eyeballs out than use the MLS inside of any app.

Now that you have an understanding of the events leading up to ABoR’s decision to seek out different MLS platforms, I believe it is time to create a true and clear picture of what the options really are and what the steps you  as a member should take in order to cast your vote for the next MLS platform.

The Austin Board of Realtors has opened their doors by hosting two hour product demonstrations at various days throughout the month of February and the first week of March. To select which day you can attend, visit the product demonstration schedule.  While at the product demonstration, you will see the highlights of all the potential MLS products, be able to ask both vendors questions and at the end of the demonstration you’ll cast your vote on which MLS system you think is the best potential MLS to proceed with.

Before moving forward, there is one item of business to clear up.  There are only TWO choices to ponder… remain with CoreLogic or transition to DynaConnections ConnectMLS.  Even though I’m about to share more details about each system, it is of the utmost importance for you as a member to attend a product demonstration, ask your own questions, formulate your own decision and cast your vote on the platform you feel is the best for your current day real estate needs.

Option One:  DynaConnections

They are home grown, a local Austin company.  Yes, you heard that right they are located right in our very own backyard.  Their one and only MLS product, ConnectMLS, is utilized in San Antonio and Chicago… just to name a few cities.  What makes this company intriguing to me is their CEO has two decades of previous real estate experience and their founder/backer is a former Dellionaire.  This tells me he may know a thing or two about how to enhance my MLS user experience and they as a company have the deep pockets to do just that.  The product is not flash based so it will work on any device with internet access.  Because they are based in a tech savvy city, they have the luxury of tapping into some of the best design and coding staff in the U.S. and they only select the cream of the crop who are capable of taking their company to the next level.  If you are an ABoR member you can demo their ConnectMLS product.  Click the computer screen and when prompted login with your current ABoR MLS password.

Option Two:  CoreLogic

Before I dive into their product offerings, I must share with you two REALLY big and I mean really BIG  issues to ponder.  CoreLogic will try to win you over by telling you “we have three platforms to choose from if you decide to stick with us.”  The first big issue is a vital piece of information they left out, aren’t willing to share or will not tell you in order to save their long standing contract with ABoR is why they are offering three platforms instead of just one.

Here is the skinny on why three platforms:  MLXchange and Fusion are both flash based. The iPad (the leading tablet device) does not support flash because Adobe and Apple we’re divorced long before they even got to the altar.  MLXchange can only be utilized on Internet Explorer, Fusion cannot be used on an iPad without an additional app.  Are you feed up with it yet?  Can’t do this… can’t do that… oh don’t try this in that system, you need to do it in our other system.  So in order to fully utilize the MLS regardless of what browser, device or location and in order to compete with other MLS providers they have to offer THREE platforms.  What this means to you as a user, is you just may have to become familiar with more than one or even all three platforms to conduct business rather than just having one system that works on any device.

The second issue is CoreLogic will say “Houston is converting over and Dallas will be doing so soon… so you should feel comfortable too.”  What they leave out is we, Austin, were one of three markets (San Diego and Atlanta were the others) asked to test their FusionMLS platform are fully aware of several noted issues, many today that still remain unresolved.  Houston and Dallas may be moving forward because that’s what they believe with the information they have at their fingertips, but just because it is good for those marketplaces doesn’t mean it is the best for Austin.

Now onto their product offerings:

MatrixMLS – this was a product of Tarasoft.  Last September, Tarasoft was gobbled up by CoreLogic.  There are a few cool factors about this platform, but personally the idea they were acquired by a company that has already proven they are not be able to deliver a quality product and already has shown they fail to meet expectations on fixing issues makes me a bit nervous.  Log into MatrixMLS and check it out for yourself.  Click the computer screen and when prompted login with your current ABoR MLS password

FusionMLS – this is CoreLogic’s attempt to update MLXchange.  It has a less clunky interface than MLXchange but for some odd reason the CoreLogic design team thought it was a brilliant idea to take tasks that took one or two steps or clicks to complete and make it three or four steps or clicks steps to complete.   I still find the consumer facing client gateway hard to comprehend and I’m often told by my clients the exact same thing.  If you haven’t hopped onto FusionMLS take a peek.  Click the computer screen and when prompted login with your current ABoR MLS password

After tinkering with each of the platforms at your leisure, sitting through a short product demonstration and asking questions to both vendors – you will be able to cast your ballot for the platform that you feel is the best to proceed with.

CoreLogic will provide three product offerings.

• MLXchange - a system that will never advance with technology.  
• Fusion – a product offering proven to be quite buggy.  
• Matrix – a system that could possibly the solution that CoreLogic needs in its toolbox.

OR

DynaConnections offers only one product, ConnectMLS.  The system just plain works and it functions on any device with internet access.  It has very few bugs and when they do arise their design and coders  immediately tackle the issue within a reasonable amount time because they are aware without a functioning MLS we aren’t able to run our business.  The interface is modern in appearance for both the realtor and their clientele.  There are client relationship management tool enhancements, a more robust search tool with an one click on MLS area map and the ability to upload multiple photos at once.  One cool feature I think is super cool is you’ll never have to save because everything is saved as you go.  They even allow the opportunity to allow outside listings such as FSBO’s to a CMA… the list goes on with all the cool features.  Check it out for yourself!

I urge you to take the time to familiarize yourself with all of the MLS platform options currently being considered and vote for the option that best fits your needs.