Wisconsin MLSs Launch Data Sharing Project
(September 17, 2007, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) The South Central Wisconsin MLS
Corporation, Multiple Listing Service, Inc. and the REALTORS® Association of
Northeast Wisconsin MLS Inc. are proud to announce the creation of WIREX. The three
organizations have been working together for a year to develop their vision – most
recently with the assistance of the Wisconsin Realtors® Association and Kevin McQueen
of Focus Forward Consulting.
WIREX stands for the Wisconsin Real Estate Exchange, and its purpose is to permit all
Wisconsin MLS’s to combine and share listing content for the benefit of the MLS users
of the participating MLS’s. The MLS’s will abide by Common IDX Rules and a Data
Sharing Agreement. The development of common IDX Rules was a key factor in meeting
broker expectations.
After reviewing numerous vendors, a contract with MRIS (Metropolitan Regional
Information Services) to employ their CURE or “Cornerstone” product has been
approved by the three MLS’s. The merging of data from each MLS will begin soon.
Content is anticipated to include current active listings, and all sold, pending, expired and
withdrawn properties from the last three years. Documents, photos and public records
will also be integrated in a RETS-compliant data server.
Once the initial three databases have been merged, the remaining Wisconsin MLS’s will
have the opportunity to participate and add their listing content to the database. The
initial design and setup should be completed in mid-2008, and the group anticipates
widespread support throughout the State. The three entities comprising the founding
group represent approximately 14,000 participants or about 75% of the state of
Wisconsin.
About Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
Based in Milwaukee, Metro MLS provides data services to over 8,000 Realtors® in
eleven associations. Their web-based flexMLS™ software allow brokers and agents
access to listing and public records data as well as contact management, mapping and
documents to provide superior services to buyers and sellers. For more information
contact Chris Carillo (chris@metromls.com or 414-778-5400)
About South Central Wisconsin MLS Corporation
Located in Madison, the South Central Wisconsin MLS provides services to
approximately 4,000 Realtors® working in South Central and Southwestern Wisconsin.
The South Central Wisconsin MLS currently maintains over 23,000 active listings within
its Fidelity Paragon™ System. For more information contact Patty Stuard
(pstuard@wisre.com) at 608-240-2800.
About Realtors® Association of Northeast Wisconsin MLS, Inc.
REALTORS Association of Northeast Wisconsin MLS, “RANW MLS” is based in
Appleton, Wisconsin. Servicing 2070 Realtors members in 470 Companies, in the
following nine counties: Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Oconto, Outagamie,
Shawano, Waupaca and Winnebago. RANW MLS web-based InnoVia System allows
brokers and agents to access over 18,000 active listings, sold property history, listing
documents, tax data, mapping, and other tools to assist Realtors serving the selling and
buying public, such as an electronic lockbox system. For more information contact
Margery Chapman (mchapman@ranw.org or 920.739.9108).
About the Wisconsin Realtors® Association
The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association is one of the largest trade associations in the
state, representing over 17,000 real estate brokers, sales people and affiliates statewide.
About Kevin S. McQueen and Focus Forward Consulting, Inc.
Kevin McQueen and Focus Forward Consulting has served the industry for 26 years as a
trusted advisor to hundreds of real estate organizations on topics including data sharing,
regionalization, conversions, RETS, organizational reviews, surveys, focus groups and
long-range planning. Kevin can be reached at Kevin@KevinMcQueen.com or (248) 374-
1045
About Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS)
Located in Rockville, Maryland, MRIS is the nation’s largest multiple listing service,
serving over 60,000 real estate professionals in Maryland, Washington DC, Northern
Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. For more information visit
www.mris.com.
