“According to Tim Dain, MLS Director of ABoR, who has been leading this effort, “The Developer Reference Server provides a solution that has been needed for years: free and easy access to data that allows for innovative development,” he said. “The Austin Board of REALTORS® is a forward-thinking, progressive Association and MLS provider, and we’re dedicated to this effort because of the direct benefit to our members as well as the entire real estate community.”
While this is a good step forward it is still waaaay short of what the industry needs. As I’ve written previously.
“2. Your initiative must include data access rights AND permission to sell. Make it an opt-out for MLS providers. One without the other will not scale. If I build something fast and it takes 6 months to get approval from your MLS committee to sell it, then these initiatives are essentially worthless.”
Let’s jump in to the future….
INT. TIM DAIN’S OFFICE – DAY
The PHONE RINGS
TIM
Hello?
KID IN GARAGE
Hey, I got my new software up and running its really great. I’ve shown it to a few agents and they love it. When can I start selling it?
TIM
That’s great. Tell you what, our Technology committee meets next month, wait err, hold on…umm we already have a full agenda…
KID IN GARAGE
Committee?
TIM
Yeah, we have to approve your software before you can sell it to our members.
KID IN GARAGE
(confused)
Uh…okay…I guess. So how long is that going to take, do I have to do that in every MLS?
TIM
Yes, every MLS will have an approval process. Let’s see here, we are booked the next 3 months, and the board doesn’t meet in December, How does January 22nd, look?
–CLICK–
TIM
Hello? Hello? Are you still there?
END OF SCENE
New developers will come only if the TAM (Total Available Market) is large enough. Currently the TAM is limited to one MLS at a time. Until that changes the “kid in the garage” will be building the next set of innovative tools for another industry.
