Michael Wurzer On December 11, 2007, I gave a presentation to a group of Association and MLS executives as well as brokers and agents in Minnesota, who are exploring data sharing among MLSs in Minnesota. Below is a video re-enactment of my presentation.
(If the embedding doesn’t work, you can view the video here.)
Also presenting to the Minnesota group were Art Carter from CA-RETS, Gregg Larson from Clareity Consulting and Security, David Charron from MRIS, and Ed Newman of RMLS-MN (Northstar) standing in for Rob Overman from FNRES who wasn’t able to make it because of ice storms. Art Carter discussed the political and technical processes the many MLSs from Southern California are going through as they ramp up the new CARETS system, which is an example of the repository approach. David Charron also talked about the repository approach being pursued in Wisconsin (WIREX), on the east coast, and elsewhere with their Cornerstone system.
All the perspectives from these presenters were very valuable for the group in Minnesota and we had some great conversations afterward as well. The MLSs in Minnesota are trying to solve some serious challenges and it’s heartening to see RETS at the center of the many solutions being offered. There is no doubt that broad and deep data standards are the key to moving the MLS industry forward in a competitive environment, as opposed to forcing MLSs through painful mergers and into data silos that will inevitably frustrate innovation.