May 14th, 2012

ShowingTime integrates into Onboard Informatics’ Listings 360°insight Advisor portal

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

May 14, 2012 – New York, NY. Onboard Informatics, the first to deliver comprehensive visibility into online listing exposure via the 360°insight Advisor platform, announces integration with ShowingTime, the showing management technology provider whose products are used to schedule more than 2.5 million showings every month.

This meaningful integration between ShowingTime and Onboard fuses “cyber” and “real world” information together, providing 360°insight Advisor clients and their sellers unprecedented insight into total activity (web traffic and physical traffic) to the property. This insight can be instrumental in creating and maintaining a hyper-focused property marketing strategy resulting in a faster sale at the highest sale price.

“When an agent is looking at their online traffic for the past week or month in the 360°insight Advisor portal, they will also be able to see ‘foot traffic’ to any particular listing. At that moment, they can drill down deeper into 360°insight web-related data, or link right into ShowingTime, delving into the details of their physical showings and share findings with the seller in a number of ways,” said Scott Petronis, Chief Product Officer at Onboard.

Rob Overman, Chief Technology Officer at ShowingTime said, “This level of integration with Onboard’s 360°insight platform made perfect sense from the start; a huge benefit and value to the Agent and the seller. It’s also a major step forward for the industry as a whole; visibility like this has been a long time coming and we’re glad to be at the forefront with Onboard.”

Onboard’s Listings 360°insight Advisor platform enables MLSs, Brokers and Agents to see and understand online listing exposure and performance while uncovering consumer search trends and habits. This insight can guide informed syndication and strategic marketing decisions while fostering more meaningful engagement with customers.  Currently, the platform is licensed by MRED, MRIS and CTMLS and is set to go live with MRED members within the next quarter.

About Onboard Informatics

Onboard Informatics connects leaders in the real estate, publishing, and technology industries to data-driven innovations that empower informed decisions, enable human engagement and accelerate business results. Our expertise in information management and related technologies bring data to life through innovative products that help customers (1) understand what’s happening – in local markets, on the web, with their own listings; (2) talk about it and show it to others to boost conversions; (3) manage their business more effectively and (4) enhance results.

About ShowingTime:

ShowingTime equips real estate agents, brokers, offices, Associations and MLSs with tools to schedule showings, generate feedback and measure marketing effectiveness. Its products are used by more than 6,000 offices nationwide and integrated with more than 200 MLSs to manage more than 2.5 million showings every month. Visit http://www.showingtime.com for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jackie Berg
Onboard Informatics
Phone: 646-747-4398
Email: jberg@onboardinformatics.com

Tags: CTMLS, Listings360 insight, mred, MRIS, ShowingTime.

May 8th, 2012

Trendspotting!

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

Jim Harrison, Russ Bergeron, Cameron Paine.

What do these people have in common?

Well besides the obvious – bright, experienced and outspoken MLS leaders…all three have recently signed agreements with at least one major online publisher – opting for a direct data license agreement in lieu of sending their listings “through syndication”.

Why?

In the RISMedia release, Jim Harrison states a primary objective of providing their own members the tools needed to advance the business. The other major reason we’ve heard is greater ability to manage the relationship, set terms and ensure accountability.

This recent “trend to direct” is punctuated by other activity that point to Brokers and MLSs being more mindful, strategic and performance-oriented about where they are sending listings and what’s happening with them online. There are new flags in MLS systems to control syndication variables when the listing is entered by the agent. Strong innovation and adoption is happening in the online-listing-management space – like the launch of RED’s reDataVault, our own 360°insight platform and Clareity’s SAFE Syndication compliance management system. Syndicators are also building more Broker-centricity into their platforms.

One thing is certain; independent thought and progress is welcomed in an area where we have been spinning in frustration for so long. It’s refreshing to see leaders stand up and take action.

Tags: Cameron Paine, Clareity, Jim Harrison, Real Estate Digital, RED, reDataVault, Russ Bergeron, SAFE Syndication.

May 8th, 2012

Data makes people work, insight works for people

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

Gahlord Dewald’s post about helping decision makers decipher data got me thinking about our role as technology providers, and what level of expectation we should have for end-users. I agree with Jon Bednarsh’s comment that data literacy isn’t a proficiency at the RE pro level – nor should it be.

As technology providers, we can solve these challenges by demonstrating a clear understanding of the user’s role (to provide transactional expertise and move real estate) and delivering data software, tools, etc. that justify that end. We must get them to stronger results without adding more “data” work and help ignite meaningful dialogue between them.their clients through crystal clear answers that jump off the page. No translator necessary.

Gahlord talks about making decisions through calculated reporting (“Geeks”) vs. emotional impulses (“Guts”); the two can be complementary if the right inputs and outputs work for all types of decision makers. 10k Research’s infographics, our Listings 360°insight Advisor are two great examples of Geeks and Guts working together to improve outcome.

These are the things we need to hold ourselves to deliver, rather than hope for an evolution in data proficiency.

Tags: 10k research, data proficiency, Gahlord Dewald, real estate data, real estate data products.

May 7th, 2012

Powerhouse Portals join Onboard Informatics Data Transparency Network

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

Major Milestone in Syndication Progress

May 7, 2012 – New York, NY. Onboard Informatics’ announces participation from three online real estate publishing leaders in the fast-growing Data Transparency Network. Homefinder.com, Trulia and Zillow^® will cooperate with Onboard to provide MLSs, Brokers, and Agents unprecedented insight into performance and demand information from their web sites.

“This Data Transparency Network unites our clients (MLSs) using Onboard’s Listings 360°insight Advisor with their data licensees and software partners to achieve the common goal of offering agents, brokers and consumers unprecedented visibility into the distribution and performance of property listings across the Internet,” said Jonathan Bednarsh, President and COO of Onboard. “The participation of these portal-powerhouses is a clear demonstration of their leadership and commitment to delivering transparency and value to the real estate industry; crucial towards progress in the ongoing industry syndication/data licensing challenges and vital for MLSs and Brokers to execute selective, sustainable online marketing strategies that generate return on investment”, said Bednarsh.

This new performance and consumer search data will be presented through simple, crisp, on-demand, visual graphics via Onboard’s Listings 360°insight Advisor platform available in a growing number of MLS markets. Participating MLSs, Brokers and Agents will see and understand the exposure and performance of their listings while uncovering never-before-seen consumer search trends and habits. This insight will guide informed syndication and strategic marketing decisions and foster more meaningful engagement with their customers.  Currently, the platform is licensed by MRED, MRIS and Connecticut MLS and is set to go live with MRED members within 30 days.

Industry response has been extraordinary: “Just like Amazon, Netflix, iTunes and other consumer sites track, report, analyze and leverage intelligence gained from consumer activity on their websites, we intend to implement the same level of sophisticated business tools and resources from our alliance with Onboard,” said John Heithaus, Chief Marketing Officer of MRIS.

About Onboard Informatics

Onboard Informatics connects leaders in the real estate, publishing, and technology industries to data-driven innovations that empower informed decisions, enable human engagement and accelerate business results. Our expertise in information management and related technologies transform real estate data through innovative products that help customers (1) understand what’s happening – in local markets, on the web, with their own listings; (2) talk about it and show it to others to boost conversions; (3) manage their business more effectively and (4) enhance results.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jackie Berg
Onboard Informatics
Phone: 646-747-4398
Email: jberg@onboardinformatics.com

Tags: CTMLS, Homefinder.com, Listings 360°insight Advisor, mred, MRIS, Trulia, Zillow.

March 22nd, 2012

Syndication grenade? New syndication portal?

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

Here’s the real deal on Listings 360°insight Advisor.

With all of the discussion around syndication and the listing distribution process…and some questions around what we are doing, I wanted to clearly articulate the purpose (and value) of the 360°insight Advisor platform recently licensed by MRED, MRIS and CTMLS.

360°insight Advisor helps MLSs, Brokers and Agents understand, explain and make effective, fact-based business decisions about online listing distribution/syndication by revealing consumer activity, demand and performance information from virtually all websites where listings appear. The online visibility platform tracks listing and performance activity comprehensively: within the MLS system, on the MLS consumer site (as applicable), the Broker website, Agent IDX sites and Publisher websites and presents the data via crisp visuals/infographics within secure, intuitive, on-demand portals for MLSs, Brokers, Agents and even consumers (at Agent discretion). So, as related to syndication and online marketing decisions/investments, 360°insight Advisor provides an unprecedented view of the valuable decision making information enabling a performance based, selective syndication strategy; this a big first step from where our industry stands right now.

We’ve been asked by some if we created 360°insight Advisor as a syndication grenade OR if it is a syndication platform; the answer to both is no. We created a decision making product; incredibly valuable in the creation, support and management of a well-executed online listing distribution strategy. Equally as powerful, 360°insight Advisor delivers unprecedented insight into what clients are doing on line… helping Brokers make the most of their online listing exposure while helping Agents move their business forward, faster.

The value proposition of 360°insight Advisor is truly full circle, for all stakeholders:

For MLSs:

1. Fortifies the position of the MLS as data steward by delivering tangible value…directly from the MLS to Broker and Agent
2. Represents the value that the MLS system and/or the MLS consumer site deliver to the overall online marketing strategy as relation to the whole and independently
3. Provides the MLS with deep insight into how data is being used online across all websites where listings appear
4. Empowers the MLS to make effective, selective based syndication decisions with their Broker members
5. Enables deeper, more thoughtful discussion between the MLS and Broker members

For Brokers:

1. Empowers Broker/puts Broker back in control of:
   1. selective, performance based syndication decisions
   2. online marketing strategies and investments
   3. proactive future planning
2. Reveals and promotes the power of the Broker’s online power – independently AND market-wide
3. Helps the Broker understand and articulate online consumer habits, identify emerging trends
4. Enables greater engagement with Agents and consumers within the market
5. Accelerate business results by enabling more effective and precise management of the online marketing plan  – an emphasis on investments and activities that generate ROI

For Agents:

1. Empowers the Agent to substantiate pricing and marketing recommendations with sellers armed with social proof – what consumers are really doing online
2. Empowers the agent to understand how like listings perform on line, guiding them to modify and enhance their own online marketing strategies – independently and with consumers
3. Enables valuable and ongoing  dialogue with the client
4. Enhances the Agent’s scope and depth of knowledge, fostering greater credibility and trust with clients
5. Provides informational ammunition to market and price more precisely – accelerating time to close.

For Syndicators, Publishers and IDX vendors:

1. Provides a platform for Publishers to demonstrate performance/value clearly and objectively on a level field (with the same performance criteria  being measured/reported across all sites)
2. Cooperation is shown through working together to deliver transparency with MLSs and Brokers… in a previously tenuous environment
3. Cooperation empowers knowledge that leads to a more sustainable model
   - MLSs, Brokers and Agents to measure performance, value and make sound business decisions
   - Enables Agents to utilize the information about their listings online in marketing strategy and in the sales process
4. Transparency fosters openness by eliminating suspicion of the unknown
5. Openness and knowledge creates candor and trust – opportunities can emerge organically, mutual value can be explored and perhaps group of players previously in turmoil can co-exist and even profit successfully together.

Learn more about Listings 360°insight Advisor here and fire away with any questions.

Tags: CTMS, listings distribution, listings distribution management, listings syndication alternatives, mred, MRIS, real estate listings syndication.

March 1st, 2012

MRIS selects Onboard Informatics Listings 360°Insight Advisor to power business intelligence platform

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

March 1, 2012 – New York, NY. Onboard Informatics announces that industry innovator and leader MRIS (Metropolitan Regional Information Systems) has chosen Onboard’s Listings 360°Insight Advisor as an enhanced business tool and customer benefit.  The 360°Insight Advisor business intelligence system tracks and reports consumer real estate listing activities across virtually all consumer websites where MRIS customers’ listings are published.  Real-time information and dynamic reports are provided to MRIS customers via individual, secure portals to enable faster and better informed decisions by home sellers and buyers, with the professional assistance of their real estate agent.

“Extensive market research tells us that real estate professionals need a constant flow of real time market and listing analytics to provide better customer service in real time,” says John L. Heithaus, Chief Marketing Officer of MRIS. As part of our Gen M system for the next generation of MLS tools, “Listings 360°Insight Advisor provides customers with comprehensive online activity of their client activity as well as market analytics from RealEstate Business Intelligence, another MRIS company”, says Heithaus. He continues “Just like Amazon, Netflix, iTunes and other consumer sites track, report, analyze and leverage intelligence gained from consumer activity while on their websites, we intend to implement the same level of sophisticated business tools and resources from our alliance with OBI.”

The beta version of the system will track usage information from HomesDatabase.com (MRIS’s consumer web site), other important publisher sites and member sites (agent and broker). Information will be  transformed into on-demand, real-time reports made available through simple,  functional online portals – for every MRIS customer at no additional cost.

“We’re excited to extend our existing partnership with MRIS adding to their impressive suite of productivity tools and real-time tools and resources”, says Jonathan Bednarsh, COO and President of Onboard. “MRIS is an innovator and a leader; providing Listings 360°Insight Advisor to their customers is a natural fit for both companies.”

MLSs seeking more information, please contact Onboard’s SVP of MLS Market Development, Kim Prior at kprior@onboardinformatics.com or 646.747.4396.

………

About Onboard Informatics
For more than a decade, Onboard Informatics has provided comprehensive local, regional and national real estate data solutions, powerful Web tools and Web services to some of the most innovative companies in the real estate, publishing, and technology sectors.  Onboard is the pioneer of true Lifestyle Search while also delivering seamless integration of property listings, community, school, neighborhood, geographic and demographic information to support client’s business objectives on Web and mobile platforms.  Privately held since its founding, Onboard is located in the heart of the world’s financial center in the Wall Street area of New York City.  For more information about Onboard Informatics visit www.onboardinformatics.com.

About MRIS
MRIS is real estate in real time™, enabling its customers to list and sell nearly $300 million in real estate each day and nearly $100 billion in listings and closed sales in 2010. A leading developer of real estate information technology, MRIS connects its customers with timely, accurate and actionable data with a growing portfolio of technology solutions, including broker and agent software products and an industry-leading consumer portal, HomesDatabase.com. MRIS also showcases unique homes and offers tailored community information through its online television network, mrisTV.com. Behind the scenes, the CURE Solutions Group subsidiary of MRIS provides back-end technology to other MLS systems through CURE, a proprietary solution. MRIS serves nearly 42,000 real estate professionals spanning a 22,000 square mile section of the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and markets located in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. Visit us at www.mris.com, MRISblog.com and mrisTV.com, “Like” us on Facebook.com/MRISonFB and follow us on Twitter, @MRIS_REal_News.

RealEstate Business Intelligence, LLC (RBI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of MRIS. RBI is a primary source of real estate data, analytics and business intelligence for real estate professionals with business interests in the mid-Atlantic region. MRIS serves more than 40,000 real estate professionals spanning the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia.

Media Contacts

Onboard Informatics
Karolynn Cionek
Marketing Associate, 646-747-4396
kcionek@onboardinformatics.com

MRIS, Inc.
John L. Heithaus
Chief Marketing Officer, 301-838-4657
john.heithaus@mris.net

Tags: listings management, MRIS, real estate analytics.

March 1st, 2012

Re: MRED sends data directly to Trulia

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

Victor Lund over at WAV Group put up an excellent post yesterday on Leap Day about MRED‘s decision to take listings management into their own hands. We’ve been working closely the talented MRED team and are very excited about the upcoming Advisor launch.

The combination of direct license agreements and measurement via Onboard’s Listings 360°Insight Advisor are the foundation for informed syndication /listing distribution. Russ’s pioneering mindset – demonstrated by definitive action – will provide Brokers, agents and consumers with valuable online exposure AND transparency.

Read on:
MRED Sends Data Directly to Trulia

Tags: listings management solutions, listings syndication, mred.

February 27th, 2012

Cooperation and transparency: Solving the syndication conundrum

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

There is a lot of intensity around syndication/online listing distribution right now: long and interesting discussions/debates occurring on blogs, career changes, compelling YouTube videos and landmark decisions. There is interaction from the key players, insight, opinions and wisdom being shared. Perhaps most important: discussion/open conflict is happening and definitive action is being taken.

As I read, observe and participate in a number of discussions around this topic lately, there are two words that rise to the surface for me: cooperation and transparency. And while I am certain that there are a number important and related topics, these two resonate with me personally: first, because I believe they are essential, fundamental requirements – prerequisites that must occur before others and second, because at Onboard, we are front and center in transparency and cooperation discussions as we approach the full launch of our Insight360 Advisor . So, here are my thoughts.

Cooperation

Cooperation and in some cases co-opetition is necessary for our industry to progress; compromise, communication and commitment to getting past the issues must be driving forces behind our actions.

The industry is at a critical time: all stakeholders and benefactors must work together, candidly assess problems and cooperatively develop and implement future focused solutions. This may mean two competitors in the same room hashing it out; it may mean compromising or re-thinking a product/partnership that was previously not an option; it may mean abandoning some of our existing processes; it may mean the death of some products that have been outpaced by this dynamic and complex business environment. One thing is for certain – Brokers and MLSs are making breakaway, tough decisions – all with potential impacts and outcomes of those decisions. I believe that all players working together with the goal of future proofing our business will produce the most sustainable outcomes. I also believe that a starting point for collaborative discussion is the topic of transparency: gaining a true and comprehensive understanding of what’s happening online as the foundation to making informed strategic syndication/publishing decisions.

Transparency

Transparency and measurement are the hinge-pins to solving the syndication conundrum by enabling performance-managed syndication/listing distribution strategies.

The industry demands transparency and measurement in many other parts of the business; why not this one – with so many collateral impacts?

At Onboard, we identified this “transparency and measurement gap” in the online listings distribution model and developed Listing Insight360 Advisor – a comprehensive online listing intelligence platform that tracks and reports performance and usage activity across all sites where listings appear. Compliance also needs transparency and as an example, Clareity’s Syndication Bill of Rights and SAFE Syndication platform contribute to that transparency movement. On the flipside, exposure delivers truth in performance – so for some, this transparency model may prove threatening and they will buck cooperation.

Until today, MLSs, Brokers and Agents have not had a comprehensive understanding of online performance.  MLSs

Transparency means a better understanding of online activity, leading to a better sales process for all parties involved.

and Brokers have been relegated to disparate reporting and “speculation” as their primary measurement and decision making tools with regards to syndication/online listing distribution. And while I applaud those syndicators, vendors and publishers who supply usage information, numerous reports from different partners containing disparate measurement criteria have little collective value; they are a narrow peek into a very large and complex picture.

Agents have no comprehensive information about how their listings are performing online; the tools they do have lack relevance in today’s on-demand, real-time information universe. And finally, the most important party in this equation – the consumer – is excluded from the online performance discussion. It is high- time that he veil of secrecy is lifted and clients are welcomed into the dialogue.   A comprehensive problem requires a comprehensive solution.

One question to gauge our success: is what we are doing fair and enhancing the consumer experience? The Clareity Bill of Rights shows that there can be a path to revenue that does involve transparency and making sure the best data is being posted and reacted to by buyers during their search process.

Transparency will provide the facts necessary to make critical business decisions opening the door to solving the additional components of the syndication/data distribution puzzle. I surmise that immersion into performance managed syndication or – “syndication by information” (compliance, performance, usage, etc.) will progress into more astutely managed syndication strategies. The licensee “list” will most likely shrink as licenses are granted only to those publishers who uphold compliance standards, provide transparency in the facts and deliver online results/ROI. The number of “data integrity” issues will taper off and the glaring issues will be handled in a more exacting, cooperative manner.  While I certainly I don’t mean to oversimplify or create a syndication utopia here, I think we can agree that cooperation and transparency certainly paves the way to a future of performance managed syndication/online listing distribution strategy.

I believe the industry can indeed flip this into a win-win-win scenario. Right now, the trifecta for progress has emerged: momentum, available innovative solutions and at least a handful of willing, cooperative participants to begin discussion. The alternative is obvious and has been stated and restated: the industry can consciously choose to remain here in a variety of adverse situations (standoffs, stagnation, shoot-outs, etc.) maintaining the current negative syndication environment while the business and the consumer evolve and progress.

I vote for the former (move the trifecta for progress forward). Who is with me? How can we take the next steps and pull together a high level discussion?

Tags: IDX listings insights, listings syndication, MLS listing syndication.

January 9th, 2012

CTMLS selects Onboard Informatics to launch Listings360°insight Advisor

By Kim Cipriano Prior, SVP, Marketing and MLS Market Development

Onboard Informatics announces that CTMLS (Connecticut Multiple Listing Service) has chosen Listings 360°insight Advisor as a new business tool and member benefit.

The Listing 360°insight Advisor business intelligence system tracks and reports real estate listing activity across virtually all websites where CTMLS listings appear.  Real-time information and dynamic reports are revealed to CTMLS staff, Brokers and Agent members via individual, secure portals.

“Effectively promoting listings to online buyers is a top priority for real estate professionals, yet as an industry we have been unable to validate the impact. Without comprehensive tracking and activity reporting, it is impossible to measure or modify results at the MLS, Broker and Agent level.  While we do receive reporting data from a handful of our syndication partners, it is only an incomplete picture of what’s happening with CTMLS broker’s listings on-line.  Without question, this product will empower our brokers to make better, more informed decisions for marketing the online performance of their client’s listings”, says Cameron Paine, CEO of CTMLS.

Listings 360°Insight Advisor enables CTMLS, Brokers and Agent Members to view comprehensive online activity – tracking information from CTReal.com (CTMLS’s consumer web site), CTMLS’s proprietary member system, publisher sites and member sites (agent and broker); information is transformed into on-demand, real-time reports through well designed, individual online portals.

“We’re excited to further extend our longstanding partnership with CTMLS building upon the immense value of their existing member tools”, says Jonathan Bednarsh, COO and President of Onboard. “Cameron and his team are an innovative group – thoroughly dedicated to providing the highest level of member value and support. With a number of common values between us, we’re looking forward to fun and excitement as we forge ahead”