Technology spending
According to an NAR survey, REALTORS spend over $1,000 per year on technology items (mobile phones, Internet websites, PDAs, laptops, etc) with a significant spending over $2,000 per year.
The fact is there are a number of technology items to purchase. But only some of those items make sense to acquire. Consider these things as you plan your technology expenditures.
-will the investment be useful today, will it make you productive today, and will the technology continue to be used in the longer term? If the answers are "yes" then the investment will be worthwhile.
- integrate your technology. You will need products and services from multiple vendors because no one product does it all. Avoid redundancy. Choose vendors who are collaborative and willing to work with you.
- continue to invest in security. You should protect yourself from hackers, viruses, and spam.
- web-based technologies are good. This will enable you to access the "product" or "system" or "service" from any web-enabled computer.
- the investment should be made on technologies that will be widely used. It is fun to be on the leading edge, but it may not provides returns on your investment until a larger number of your peers buy-in to the technology.
A specific area where you should consider investment is online transaction management. The NAR reported that these systems are the fastest growing technology in real estate. 26% of REALTORS use them and another 72% are "very interested". You don't want to be left out.
Since the Internet has become a powerful and necessary tool for reaching consumers, you should also consider the use of Microsoft Virtual Earth or Google Earth. These interactive mapping tools provide aerial views of properties.
If you need technology advice, you should speak with your technology staff at your firm or with your website developer. Companies such as WebCubic (www.webcubic.com) are highly knowledgeable about Internet technology and often serve as technology consultants to their clients.
The fact is there are a number of technology items to purchase. But only some of those items make sense to acquire. Consider these things as you plan your technology expenditures.
-will the investment be useful today, will it make you productive today, and will the technology continue to be used in the longer term? If the answers are "yes" then the investment will be worthwhile.
- integrate your technology. You will need products and services from multiple vendors because no one product does it all. Avoid redundancy. Choose vendors who are collaborative and willing to work with you.
- continue to invest in security. You should protect yourself from hackers, viruses, and spam.
- web-based technologies are good. This will enable you to access the "product" or "system" or "service" from any web-enabled computer.
- the investment should be made on technologies that will be widely used. It is fun to be on the leading edge, but it may not provides returns on your investment until a larger number of your peers buy-in to the technology.
A specific area where you should consider investment is online transaction management. The NAR reported that these systems are the fastest growing technology in real estate. 26% of REALTORS use them and another 72% are "very interested". You don't want to be left out.
Since the Internet has become a powerful and necessary tool for reaching consumers, you should also consider the use of Microsoft Virtual Earth or Google Earth. These interactive mapping tools provide aerial views of properties.
If you need technology advice, you should speak with your technology staff at your firm or with your website developer. Companies such as WebCubic (www.webcubic.com) are highly knowledgeable about Internet technology and often serve as technology consultants to their clients.
posted by Shig Nishio @ 12:03 PM
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