November 2007 - Vendor Alley

Clareity to host the ultimate after-party!

November 12th, 2007

I saw this in on one of the comments and thought it deserved it’s own post….

Frontier Casino is scheduled for implosion tonight at 2:00 AM (that’s Tuesday morning). The Clareity Suite at the Wynn (room 1801 in the Tower Suites) has an amazing view of the good old Frontier.

Please join us from 1:00 AM to 2:30 AM for cocktails in our suite to watch this once glorious casino meets its demise.

RSVP to troy.rech@clareitysecurity.com so we have a count.

I would say BYOB but would probably be scathed about being ‘cheap’ so we will provide the refreshments.

eNeighborhoods to provide IDX services for Realogy

November 12th, 2007

This deal was just announced today. If you’re keeping track eNeighborhoods now handles IDX for remax.com, Century21.com, ColdwellBanker.com, and ERA.com. The big question is what’s left??

This is a HUGE win for eNeighborhoods! Congrats to Andy Woolley and his team for bringing this one home.

eNeighborhoods and Realogy partner

to deliver national Internet Data Exchange (IDX) solution

IDX solution will power property search for

CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker® and ERA® Web sites

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Nov. 12, 2007) — eNeighborhoods, a leading compiler of real estate home and neighborhood information and a division of Dominion Enterprises, has announced a partnership with Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services, to deliver a national Internet Data Exchange (IDX) solution. Realogy has signed a multi-year agreement to use eNeighborhoods’ Enterprise IDX platform to power the property search for consumers visiting the CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker® and ERA® real estate brand Web sites.

eNeighborhoods will power the national property search on the Realogy brand Web sites, each of which will be connected to a national network of brand-customized IDX Web sites hosted by eNeighborhoods on behalf of CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker® and ERA® franchisees in the United States and Canada. eNeighborhoods also will power the national property search on the future Better Homes and Gardens Real EstateSM brand Web site, Realogy’s newest brand.

“This is a unique opportunity for eNeighborhoods to work with several of the world’s leading real estate brands through our partnership with Realogy,” said Andy Woolley, eNeighborhoods vice president of enterprise services. “We’ve worked diligently over the past several years to build a powerful IDX platform capable of servicing the world’s largest real estate networks. We’re honored Realogy recognized our unique abilities and selected us as their partner to deliver this key strategic initiative.”

eNeighborhoods operates the industry’s largest network of IDX Web sites, compiling more than 3.5 million IDX listings from over 425 MLS organizations on behalf of their broker and agent customers. The turn-key solution covers every aspect of IDX necessary for large-scale deployments, from the online fulfillment of broker-MLS permission forms to data aggregation and security to listing display compliancy.

“Both brokers and consumers will benefit from our IDX solution,” said Craig Cuyar, chief information officer, Realogy Franchise Group. “All property listings will be displayed in a consistent and clear format, regardless of the listing source. Visitors to our brand Web sites will be able to find all the local market information they are looking for faster and easier. We’re excited about this new partnership, and we look forward to a highly collaborative relationship with eNeighborhoods.”

“We expect the vast majority of U.S. property listings to be searchable from the Realogy brand sites in the summer of 2008,” said Greg Robertson, eNeighborhoods vice president and general manager. “The pairing of eNeighborhoods’ advanced IDX technology with Realogy’s LeadRouter system will result in a competitive advantage for their agents and brokers, and a better property search experience for consumers.”

About eNeighborhoods

eNeighborhoods®, a division of Dominion Enterprises, is the nation’s premier compiler of real estate related home and neighborhood information, providing the real estate and marketing services industries with a comprehensive set of marketing and analytical tools. In 2002, eNeighborhoods became a partner in the National Association of REALTORS®’ REALTOR Benefits® Program. The company provides MLS data sharing and marketing tools to top MLS organizations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company maintains strategic alliances with major real estate franchisers, including CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, EXIT Realty, GMAC, Keller Williams, Prudential, Realty Executives and RE/MAX International as well as many of the major independent brokerages. eNeighborhoods is the proud founding sponsor of NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards which educates, encourages and rewards outstanding community service by real estate professionals throughout the country. For more information on the company, visit www.eneighborhoods.com.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., is a leading media and information services company serving real estate, automotive, employment, recreation, marine and industrial markets in the United States. The company operates a variety of technology businesses that offer Internet marketing, Web site design and hosting, lead generation, CRM, and data capture and distribution services including Advanced Access, PowerSports Network, and Dealer Specialties. The company has more than 500 paid and free magazine titles such as The Employment Guide, For Rent, Harmon Homes, Boat Trader, Cycle Trader and RV Trader with a combined weekly circulation of over 5 million, and more than 40 market-leading Web sites such as EmploymentGuide.com, ForRent.com, Homes.com, and TraderOnline.com, reaching more than 8 million unique monthly visitors. The company has more than 7,200 employees nationwide and 2006 annual revenue of more than $850 million. For more information, visit www.DominionEnterprises.com.

eNeighborhoods wants you!

November 9th, 2007

This is a dream gig for the right person. Send me an email at vendor.alley@gmail.com and I’ll hook you up with the right person. A lot of you will be at NAR so we will keep all inquires confidential.

Job Title: Regional Account Executive
Department: Enterprise Services-Sales
Reports To: VP, Enterprise Services

Description:

Responsible for sales and marketing of all eNeighborhoods products/services through real estate MLS and broker channels. Focus is on driving overall eNeighborhoods revenue growth and creating up-sell opportunities by increasing subscriber base.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Organizational skills, account strategies, territory planning and administrative responsibilities to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction is maintained. Develops and increases sales revenue to meet assigned targets.
 Attends trade shows. Participates in education and training conferences on selling and marketing programs.
 Keeps informed of new products, services and other general information of interest to customers. Checks on competitive activity and develops new methods
 Troubleshoots problems regarding products
 Develops strategic marketing partnerships
 Develops distribution agreements
 Enhance existing relationships
 Expand product penetration
 Generate and qualify leads
 Increase revenue
 Manage accounts
 Achieve sales goals
 Secure revenue contracts

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
 Experience managing large territories and diverse product offerings.
 Coaching/mentoring experience with less senior sales staff.
 A demonstrable capacity to keep abreast of new technology trends, association needs.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
 Bachelor’s Degree or at least three years related sales experience
 Demonstrated problem solving and negotiation skills
 Experience with associations and software sales.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Rapattoni promises security, in the palm of your hand.

November 9th, 2007

The only question I have is, if I use it will I go blind or will hair start growing on my hand?

Rapattoni puts Secure Logon security codes on PDAs
PDA cell phones remove need for separate security tokens

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., November 8, 2007 – Rapattoni Corporation announced today that security codes for the Rapattoni Secure Logon system can now be generated on PDA cell phones. This new “soft token” technology eliminates the need for agents to carry separate security tokens, and it provides the same high level, two-factor authentication as a hardware token. Rapattoni’s software tokens are compatible with many PDA phones on the market today and do not require airtime or the use of text messaging, which may cause agents to incur a fee charged by cell phone carriers. The code generation process is completely contained on the PDA.

This next-generation technology was introduced during the implementation of Secure Logon for the Southwest MLS in Albuquerque, New Mexico last month. Existing Rapattoni Secure Logon customers will be able to offer it to their members in the first quarter of 2008.

Any phone or PDA employing a Windows Mobile® or Palm OS® 4 or higher operating system can be set up with a software token, eliminating the need for the user to carry a separate hardware token. Most of the leading mobile devices utilize these platforms, allowing Secure Logon soft tokens to be installed quickly and easily. Most installations take less than one minute to complete.

With a software token, security codes display on the user’s PDA without using airtime or requiring a text message or other data transfer process. The application is installed directly on the PDA and can display a one-time security code on demand whenever the user is ready to log on.

“Offering soft tokens exemplifies how we can provide convenience as well as security,” said Nick Rapattoni, president. “While data security is the primary objective, the user’s experience must be positive and convenient. Through our Secure Logon and Single Sign-On features, we give our customers the best in both security and convenience.”

Rapattoni Chief Information Security Officer Peter Williams said, “In line with many other industries, real estate industry demand is growing for the convenience of software authenticators. Nearly every real estate agent carries a sophisticated PDA or smart phone. We are excited to include RSA SecurID software tokens in the next-generation rollout of Rapattoni Secure Logon.”

About Rapattoni Secure Logon
Rapattoni Secure Logon is a token-based logon authentication service designed for real estate associations and MLS organizations. Hardware and software tokens utilize SecurID® technology from RSA, The Security Division of EMC, which is the leading provider of online data security. The Rapattoni-built software interface includes an easy self-registration process, simple logon interface, and an online management system for staff use. Secure Logon can be integrated transparently with any MLS, regardless of vendor. Rapattoni can provide complete services, including hosting, delivery, user orientation, and a call center for staff and user support. See the Rapattoni Secure Logon video for details.

About the company

Rapattoni Corporation has been serving the real estate industry under the same name and management for 37 years. The company provides an array of integrated products and services for real estate associations and MLS organizations including Internet MLS systems, association management software, and Secure Logon with Single Sign-On identity portals for online security and convenience. The company’s MLS products are serving about 300,000 agents nationally and its association management customers represent more than 85% of the nation’s Realtors®. Rapattoni’s headquarters are located in Simi Valley, California.

For more information contact Public Relations Manager Paula Allen at (800) 722-7338, or visit the company’s website at http://www.rapattoni.com/.

Paragon 4, now with "Big Buttons"

November 9th, 2007

Can’t seem to find this release on the Byzantine maze of FNRES’ various websites, so I pulled it from our friends at RISMedia.

Fidelity Releases Redesigned and Enhanced ParagonMLS v4 and
Paragon Desktop MLS v4

RISMEDIA, Nov. 9, 2007-Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions (FNRES) has announced the release of its fully upgraded online and desktop versions of ParagonTM MLS v4, an MLS platform used by more than half of America’s Multiple Listing Services.

“FNRES has taken a leadership role in the real estate industry by responding to the needs of its users,” said Beverly Faull, SVP and general manager of Fidelity National MLS Systems and Solutions. “This ongoing dialogue with our customers has helped make Paragon MLS v4 and Paragon Desktop MLS v4 the best platform available to power the listings data at the heart of the real estate industry.”

ParagonTM MLS v4 (online)

According to the company, Paragon 4 has been designed to take “usability” to the highest level. The new user interface (UI) and workflow changes allow users to take advantage of the latest hardware and software updates, including minimum screen resolution to 1024X768, as well as Microsoft Vista and Internet Explorer 7.

The most significant improvements are to the Paragon 4 main Home Page, where a “Big Button” theme will greet users immediately upon login. A redesigned, more intuitive navigation puts users within one or two clicks of the most commonly used features and functions in the MLS.

Three features have been added to the main Home Page, turning it into a communication center for the real estate professional. “Quick Search” allows users to access property information directly from the Home Page, view the data in a variety of formats, and print or e-mail with ease. The “Message and Alerts” section provides valuable information on technical updates and important MLS news on a variety of topics. And “Quick Action Links” enable users to access their most frequently used features with a single click.

The existing “Market Monitor” has been enlarged to include additional filter options. Among the enhancements is the ability to display Team Inventory if the user is on a team.

“The alert function is invaluable when MLS staff need to target messages to a specific user or groups of users and know they will receive it,” said Fidelity National MLS Systems and Solutions Product Manager Rudyard Henry.

Paragon Desktop MLS v4

Fidelity says that the release of the Paragon MLS Desktop 4, which also benefits from direct customer feedback, includes several key enhancements, the most important of which is the replacement of the Microsoft Database Engine (MSDE) with Microsoft Access 2000.

In addition, Desktop 4 is compatible with Microsoft Vista and Internet Explorer 7.0, and has an improved workflow thanks to a redesigned user interface, Home Page and navigation.

The Paragon Desktop 4 workflow now incorporates tab menus to allow users to multi-task, moving quickly from one module to another module through simple navigation that keeps both modules operating and accessible simultaneously.

“This is exclusive to Paragon Desktop 4,” said Fidelity National MLS Systems and Solutions Vice President of Product Development Marty Reed. “We have chosen to integrate the tab approach and multi-tasking capability in Desktop, but not online, where Web standards are limited. This is actually a turning point for Fidelity MLS and, with this release, we have positioned Desktop to follow its own path so we can take advantage of the features that a desktop application affords.”

Additional improvements include: increased speed and performance, Smart Updater, integration with SAFEMLS, and an enhanced listing maintenance feature. The improved installation process includes a simplified transition to the new version with easy transfer of existing pictures and contacts from older versions.

“We have listened to our customers and appreciate all they have told us about the product and how to make it work even better for them,” said Faull. “In response, we have given them two powerful new tools that not only keep them in the game, but make them more competitive than ever before. We feel that Fidelity has hit a home run with Paragon 4, and it’s a whole new game.”

For more information, visit [1] www.fnf.com.

LIVE Coverage of NAR EXPO 2007 starts Monday the 12th

November 8th, 2007

Vegas Baby! Only 5 days left. Is your liver ready????

We land in Vegas on Monday so that’s when all the fun begins.

Vendor Alley will be giving all the sights, sounds, and smells that is NAR EXPO 2007.

What big announcements will be made? I know one, but I can’t tell you now! You’ll have to wait until Monday (heehee). Any big deals? Anyone getting fired or hired? Are ______ and ________ still a couple?

Vendor Alley will be your resource to find out what’s what at the show. If you have any news to share please feel free to post or email us at vendor.alley@gmail.com.

And remember the first rule of trade shows… Never go big on the first night!

FNRES get's a heavy!

November 7th, 2007

Looks like the Brinks truck rolled in to Burlingame last week. Bob Morse, director of MLS services for eNeighborhoods has moved on to become a sales rep for FNRES. Nice move Bev!

No soup for you!

November 7th, 2007

Another sign budgets are tightening. Looks like Marketlinx (always one of the great industry parties) are saying no to outside vendors. A lot of us were sent invites to their annual “Customer Hospitality Event”, then when we dutifully RSVPed to the event an email reply came back stating….

“Because the party is for our customers and event sponsors only, and the fact that the event is officially full, I am unable to extend tickets to other vendors. Passes will not be available under your name. Sorry.”

So as a service to Marketlinx we are going to help them keep all other real estate vendors away from their party.

Here’s the location of the party so you know to KEEP AWAY! Do not under any circumstances crash this party!!!

*****Party Address removed 11/11/07 per GL’s request.*******

RIS Media's Power Broker Reception and Dinner

November 1st, 2007

Those of you who know RIS Media’s John Featherston and Darryl MacPherson know these guys can throw a hell of a party.

They do this by combining 3 winning ingredients;

First, you attract the biggest names in real estate. At any party these guys throw you can see the likes of Stu Siegel, Allan Dalton, and Dave Liniger rubbing elbows with big brokers and vendors from all over the country.

Next be a great host. These guys are top notch and a pure class act, plus John can tell one hell of a story! Next time you meet him have him tell you the one about him and Ozzy Osborne.

Third, add booze! These guys know the fuel that keeps this industry going.

This year their 12th Annual Power Broker Reception and Dinner and will be held on November 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.

See you there!