File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 1 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Implementation Best Practices  Business Case  RETS Features  RETS vs. FTP  Best Practices Kevin McQueenYogi Schulz

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 2 RETS Implementation Practices Business Case  Focal point of the RETS implementation  Match RETS capabilities to the business problem  Identify tangible & intangible benefits  Don’t over-sell Highest benefit area is service to data customers Define scope as explicitly as possible

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 3 RETS Implementation Practices Potential MLS Data Management Features  Control who has access to what data: –Implement role-based permissions –Track/report data usage  Provide real-time data access –Load listings once for multiple uses  Support site-specific business rules –Strengthen data quality/data integrity  Improve operational management tools Recommendation: Rank feature importance

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 4 RETS Implementation Practices Security  Document your security requirements: –Statutory security –Physical security of system –Software security of system  Evaluate the cost/benefit of encryption  Define level of auditing and logging Recommendation: Define the security requirements at the beginning REALTOR ® Secure White Papers & Executive Briefs Great resource:

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 5 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Advantages compared to FTP  Real-time data feed for broker web sites & data customers  More data access options: –User agent security, role-based permissions –Simplified adaptation to change –Metadata enables multiple views of MLS data –MLS control over mis-use  Usage tracking capabilities  Data customers restricted to queries within authorized view of the MLS data More flexibility and capability

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 6 RETS Implementation Practices FTP Disadvantages compared to RETS  FTP is not as secure as RETS –Userid/password only  Many FTP files to manage –Unique requirements create many files  Lack of data currency –Typically updated only once or twice per day  High cost/impact of change –MLS data model changes create programming effort More operational complexity

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 7 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Data Customers Best Practices Topics  Existing Services: –Default MLS client –IDX/VOW –Brokerages –Other MLS clients –Realtor.com –Newspapers/book publishers  New Services – value to Realtors®: –Multiple choices for default MLS client –Multiple choices for desktop, laptop or pda client –Data aggregation –Marketing tools Recommendation: Support new software and services only via RETS

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 8 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Impact on Existing Data Customers  Will require changes to their applications to use RETS  May have a sense that MLS is “off-loading” work to them  Maintain buy-in by communicating the reasons –Highlight the benefits from easier maintenance of their applications in response to your changes –Overcome resistance of data customers who may not share your pain with the current situation Recommendation: Gradually upgrade data distribution to RETS

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 9 RETS Implementation Practices Conclusion  RETS benefits will add value for your MLS  Implementations encounter many modest hurdles –All have been successfully overcome  Project implementation best practices: –a few are RETS specific –majority of the best practices address the common system implementation issues

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 10 RETS Implementation Practices Topic Summary  RETS offers many benefits, but faces many of the common systems implementation challenges  Learning curve is real –Many resources available to help  Business case must drive the use of technology

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 11 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Data Customers Resources and Skills  The RETS service will change business practices  Communicate the benefits of RETS: –Reusable software –Many sources of knowledge –Industry standard –Improved data structure for improved change management Recommendation: Communicate the benefits for using RETS

File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 12 RETS Implementation Practices Implementation Project Reward