Recently I was asked by a broker client of ours to review a product that they were considering implementing.  Without belaboring before getting to the point, upon investigation with the MLS, I learned that the vendor was not an approved data vendor in their markets.  Further questioning of the vendor revealed that they way they access the data required for their product is to use an MLS username and password provided by the broker.  After falling out of my chair, we notified the vendor and the MLS.  Clearly, the subject MLS does not have data security that prevents password sharing or [...]

Web 2.0 may be over.  Google has reverted back to the most traditional webpage layout ever.  Top Navigation and Side Navigation. I am using Google Chrome – this is the first layout of search results.  Notice that the Text Links at the top are now duplicated along the left side with icons.                       In this next image below, the search results change because I have logged into google.  You will notice how Google is storing my search result preferences and favorites by putting gold stars next to the products that [...]

Looking forward to NAR Midyear next week.  Here is the final agenda for the NAR MLS AE Fourm   NAR MLS AE Forum: Washington, D.C.: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Empire Room Wednesday, May 12, 2010   Welcome & Overview: Tom Hurdelbrink, NWMLS, Bud Fogel, MRED NAR Policy: MLS may/may not require a photo: John Mosey, Northstar MLS & Council of MLSs Green the MLS: Al Medina, Director, NAR Green Designation MLS Domain Project (.MLS): Brian Larson, Larson/Sobotka Business Advisors Effective MLS Market Solutions (EMMS) : Kevin McQueen, Focus Forward Consulting RETS Update :Pat Bybee, MetroList MLS, Denver, CO RETS Genie: Carl DeMusz, NORMLS, Ohio ELF [...]

The details of the buy out are largely unknown, but here is the press coverage today from Peter Lattman from the Wall Street Journal.  To be clear, FNIS is really no longer a company.  Fidelity split the business into FIS and LPS a number of years ago.  This press release refers to assets controlled by FIS and does not impact LPS - the company behind the Paragon, reINsight, rDesk and other real estate and banking technology services.     Blackstone in Talks on $10 Billion Deal By PETER LATTMAN Blackstone Group LP and other investors are in talks to acquire financial-data-processing [...]