August 25, 2014 - Vendor Alley

Goomzee:

“Some of our earliest MLS adopters like Intermountain MLS (IMLS) in Boise regularly share feedback from their agent users and leadership,” explains Mike Sparr, Goomzee CEO and Founder. “We carefully consider all user suggestions for future release planning and IMLS’s CEO, Greg Manship, personally suggested we consider adding a built-in support or help link. We pushed the envelope even further and included a completely integrated help desk and training system which I believe is another industry-first in the mobile arena. Our latest release includes too many features to name, but we’re very proud of ways we simplified the navigation to further delight our users.”

Can’t believe I missed this release from last week. It speaks to what I was talking about for 3rd party solutions in the mobile space. Love seeing so many options for MLS providers to ponder. It seems a lot of these “alternative front ends” are finally appearing, but taking a “mobile first” approach.

See full press release below:

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Goomzee Redesigns Mobile App Navigation; Introduces Mobile MLS App Help Desk

Missoula, MT — August 18, 2014 — It just got easier for multiple listing services and REALTOR(r) associations nationwide to deliver competitive mobile solutions thanks to Goomzee’s latest mobile app innovation and industry first, a built-in mobile help desk. Goomzee, one of the real estate industry’s leading providers of mobile solutions, announced today that their latest mobile app release included the industry’s first fully-integrated mobile help desk, minimizing support burden for MLS staff who want to provide mobile apps to their customers.

Goomzee’s Mobile MLS allows MLSs and Boards to provide professional native mobile app access to agent-only information, and configurable option to offer public access, or even invite-only access, on a per-market basis. Now when users tap on the “Help” menu they can immediately access forum articles and submit support requests or view the status of their current requests without ever leaving the app. Once they’re done with the help desk, they simply dismiss it and resume with their mobile work whether it’s searching for listings, sharing with clients, or saving searches for later use.

“Some of our earliest MLS adopters like Intermountain MLS (IMLS) in Boise regularly share feedback from their agent users and leadership,” explains Mike Sparr, Goomzee CEO and Founder. “We carefully consider all user suggestions for future release planning and IMLS’s CEO, Greg Manship, personally suggested we consider adding a built-in support or help link. We pushed the envelope even further and included a completely integrated help desk and training system which I believe is another industry-first in the mobile arena. Our latest release includes too many features to name, but we’re very proud of ways we simplified the navigation to further delight our users.”

Goomzee recently shared that nearly two-dozen Boards/MLSs from coast to coast have already selected Goomzee for their Mobile MLS Apps for their customers, and the pace doesn’t appear to be slowing. In second quarter alone, the company announced five additional MLS markets signed multi-year agreements to provide Goomzee’s software to their members and dozens more are lining up. Goomzee’s mobile apps compliment current MLS systems, and deployments typically take thirty days or less, depending on the complexity of third-party systems integrations.

“I am impressed with the fact that [Goomzee] is always looking for ways to enhance [their] app, and our users love how fast it is,” says Julie Rietberg, CEO of Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS(r).

The latest mobile app featuring new simplified navigation and built-in help desk is now live for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch via Apple’s app store and the Android version will be live very soon.

ABOUT GOOMZEE
Goomzee celebrated its 11th year in business in 2014. The company began as an e-commerce application service provider, powering and hosting small business’ e-commerce websites, but shifted to real estate technology just as the industry fell into turmoil to solve recognized gaps in mobile technology. The company has been serving the real estate industry since 2007, and multiple listing services since 2008. It’s initial real estate product called Goomzee Connect allows agents to capture leads at the property via text message codes on sign riders and a lead capture system. After working closely with MLSs and providing it’s service as a member benefit in nearly 30 MLS markets, representing over 296,000 agents, MLSs approached Goomzee to co-design a mobile solution that would best serve the needs of their members. Their current solution represents a culmination of their first-generation web solution, and two years of research and development to offer a platform that rivals the large portals. For more information, request a quote, or to schedule a personal demo, please contact Goomzee via http://www.goomzee.com.
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FBS

“. The native Apps and Mobile Web deliver a seamless mobile MLS experience sharing the same design aesthetic, providing full access to MLS data (including customer information and saved searches) and, real-time data synch between systems, all made possible the Spark API foundation that powers the Flexmls® system. Some of the key shared features include: Quick Launch (entire MLS system can be searched from one place), Quick Searches and full access to MLS data including, all saved searches and favorites. One of the most powerful benefits of the system is real time synch; Agents can start working on their iPhone and then access the work they started immediately on their laptop via Flexmls® Web.”

These guys have been busy. I like the approach of controlling the whole customer experience. Many MLS vendors outsource all their mobile work, which sometimes means a whole different UI/UX experience. This control could give FBS a nice advantage.

The day is coming, and perhaps already has, when MLS vendors start their Suite demos with their mobile apps first.

Read Full Press Release Below:

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Following successful Flexmls® for iPhone release, FBS launches new Mobile Web furthering comprehensive mobile strategy.

August 22, 2014 – FBS launches “new” Flexmls® Mobile Web on following successful launch of the Flexmls for iPhone App, setting the bar for mobile MLS.

The “new” Flexmls® Mobile Web and native iPhone App are the first releases from the Flexmls® Mobile App suite which when complete, will include Flexmls® for iPhone, Android, Tablet (all native) and Mobile Web. The native Apps and Mobile Web deliver a seamless mobile MLS experience sharing the same design aesthetic, providing full access to MLS data (including customer information and saved searches) and, real-time data synch between systems, all made possible the Spark API foundation that powers the Flexmls® system. Some of the key shared features include: Quick Launch (entire MLS system can be searched from one place), Quick Searches and full access to MLS data including, all saved searches and favorites. One of the most powerful benefits of the system is real time synch; Agents can start working on their iPhone and then access the work they started immediately on their laptop via Flexmls® Web.

Customer feedback on the native Flexmls® for iPhone App has been overwhelmingly positive so far; FBS expects the same strong reception with the “new” Mobile Web. Agents have tweeted, directly emailed and phoned in the accolades. Recently, after sharing accolades on Twitter, Jeremy Hart, an Associate Broker with Nest Realty, contributed to a Flexmls blog post citing simplicity and fast access to everything he needs as major win-factors in the new Flexmls for iPhone App. FBS CEO Mike Wurzer has taken calls from existing MLS executive clients complimenting the company on the impressive work, too. “I’m really excited to see our mobile investments paying dividends for our customers. Today’s agent needs and deserves the best possible mobile MLS products and that’s what we’re delivering”, says Wurzer.

Flexmls® is on a major growth trajectory and will add 35,000 members to its current roster with conversions completed in 2014. These impressive growth numbers are coupled with the best customer retention in the business. Both variables are attributed to FBS’ future-focus and consistent personal approach to service, more recently to their laser focus on delivering the pinnacle mobile experience via native Apps and the underpinning standards-driven Spark API platform.

“We’re delivering the pinnacle mobile MLS”, says Kim Prior, VP Marketing and Spark Platform Evangelist. “The underpinning Spark API plus native development was the only path to deliver this truly unmatched and seamless user experience: full access to all MLS information, real-time sync across systems and shared design”, says Prior.

FBS is a 100% employee-owned company that’s proud to provide personal service, future focused development and standards-driven, innovative products. FBS’ Flexmls® system (web, mobile, IDX), is built on the standards-driven Spark API platform, connecting real estate professionals to their customers through great collaboration tools and real-time information. The Flexmls® system is used by 130+ MLSs representing 130,000+ Brokers and Agents. For 30+years FBS has led the way in standards-driven innovation. Through ongoing investment and continued innovation, FBS is 100% prepared to deliver excellence that MLSs and their members can trust for the long term.

Media Contacst: Kim Prior kprior@FBSdata.com OR Katelyn Midtbo kmidtbo@fbsdata.com