WRA Board of Directors

Posted on February 5th, 2009 by mlsadmin
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WRA Board of Directors
January 23, 2009

Report on WIREX Activities (click here for PowerPoint slides)
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Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11 Thank you Mr. Chairman, Directors, Staff and guests.

Marg, John and I and the organizations we represent, are proud to announce that WIREX has released the first phase of data integration which went live this week!   The combined MLS data can now be easily searched, analyzed and presented by our brokers and agents.


This has been a complex and time-consuming project – analyzing and mapping our diverse data, developing the combined database and now, integrating the combined data, via RETS, into our Innovia, Paragon and flexMLS systems.  Staff, software vendors and our partner MRIS have worked diligently to accomplish these goals.

We do business today in a totally different world.  No longer do we concern ourselves with modems, yellow legal pad presentations or MLS books.  We do business with a more sophisticated consumer who expects timely emails, more information about market activity and access to the best property data available. 

WIREX was the result of a desire by brokers to help make them more competitive, provide themselves with the data that consumers demand and the ability to innovate their services to meet the evolving markets.

Here in Wisconsin we wanted to make sure it was done correctly and would best meet our brokers’ business needs. 
 
WIREX has also been working on IDX services as well – both a generic service and a download service.  The WIREX IDX services will be available through the local MLS and will operate under common WIREX IDX rules.  We will concentrate on rolling out these services once the data integration is complete and stable. 

Of course, participants will also have the choice of continuing to use the local IDX services.  Each of the MLSs will communicate with their participants once final information is available.

But this is one aspect of WIREX.  The founding MLSs have created an LLC to oversee the operations of WIREX services.  The new executive board of the LLC will meet in late February and address business issues that we face.  How are services delivered?  What are the costs associated with maintaining and expanding services?  What other opportunities are there that WIREX can address that would benefit Wisconsin Realtors®?

Four other Wisconsin MLSs have expressed interest in participating in the WIREX project.  They are Northwest, Central, Northwood’s and Superior.  Our consultant has worked with them and MRIS to map their data against the existing WIREX database, in anticipation of bringing them onboard in 2009.  All MLS who participate in WIREX will also participate in an Advisory Board to guide the identification and development of other services.

We have an information web site – www.wirex.com – which is designed to provide updates on the project.  It will also allow agents and brokers to login and share their comments and experiences about their use and success with the combined listing data.  We are anxious to hear from the field so that we can continue to improve the WIREX model.  Please feel free to contact each of us as well with your ideas and comments.

We are one of four or five major areas in the US that are undertaking data sharing efforts of this magnitude and sophistication.  Wisconsin is being watched and we will set an example for further cooperation and services to Realtors®

We want to express our sincere appreciation to this Board and the WRA leadership and staff for their support of this complex and forward-looking project. You encouraged us.  Thank you.

We are confident that as this project continues to evolve that all Realtors in Wisconsin will benefit and will work together more closely as they provide valuable and innovative professional services to their clients and customers.

We would like to give you a glimpse of how well this shared data is integrated with our systems and how easily agents will be able to search, analyze and present the market information to their clients and customers.

(John/Patty presents a demo search of their Paragon system - following the demo, Peter will moderate questions for the three as time allows)

As time allows, we will try to answer any questions.

We wish you all success and good health in 2009!