1. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 1 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Implementation Best Practices Business Case Project Start-up Resource Identification RETS Service Provider RETS Data Customer Project Execution Kevin McQueenYogi Schulz

2. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 2 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Implementation Best Practices Topic Objectives Identify potential issues around a RETS service Provide recommendations and suggestions based on best practices Ensure the RETS implementation addresses the business case Reinforce sound project execution practices

3. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 3 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

4. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 4 RETS Implementation Practices Implementation Project Start-up - 1 Describe business case Capture business rules –ensure that you know yourself Validate business requirements for the metadata –data about the data Confirm internal and external contracts, processes, security Identify internal resources Identify existing skill levels in RETS: –service provider –data customers

5. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 5 RETS Implementation Practices Implementation Project Start-up - 2 Understand and validate feature set Understand impact to existing data customers Define roles and responsibilities for: –MLS –service provider –data customers Recommendation: Create and maintain visible reference documents

6. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 6 RETS Implementation Practices Business Rules Who is permitted to see what data? –Authentication, Access Controls and Audits What data can be entered where? –Data quality rules – does the service provider offer it? –Data quality enforcement - tools Are there sessions controls? –Multiple sessions –Session duration limits

7. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 7 RETS Implementation Practices Contracts RETS Service Provider: –Who does what –You own the data RETS Data Customer: –Control the access –Control the uses General observation: –Control your asset with appropriate language

8. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 8 RETS Implementation Practices MLS RETS Service Processes Understand who does what: –Contract management –Help desk access –Service initiation and termination –Service issues Understand problem escalation: –Responsibilities in the resolution process –Chain of control to ensure resolution

9. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 9 RETS Implementation Practices Security Document your security requirements: –Statutory security –Physical security of system –Software security of system Audit trails Logging Recommendation: Define the security requirements at the beginning

10. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 10 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Advantages over FTP Real-time data feed for broker web sites / consumers More data access options: –User agent security –Role-based permissions –Metadata enables multiple views of MLS data –MLS control over misuse Usage tracking capabilities Data customers restricted to queries within authorized view of the MLS data FTP = dumb flat files

11. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 11 RETS Implementation Practices Resource Allocation Determine internal versus outsourced resources: –Training –Help desk –RETS support –Statistical and other report generation –MLS service computing infrastructure

12. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 12 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Feature Set RETS compliant does not mean all the optional features exist Different service providers will have different optional features –Related to their business decisions Ensure that supported feature set matches between the service providers and data customer

13. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 13 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Service Provider Best Practices Topics RETS compliant Available resources Business continuity plan Business continuity tests Availability Recommendation: Service offering must be a close match to your needs

14. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 14 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Service Provider Resources and Skills Does service provider offer dedicated resources for your implementation project? –Will they get pulled off on some other “hot” project? Can service provider identify capable third-party resources for your project? Should you use an external project champion to manage your project?

15. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 15 RETS Implementation Practices RETS Data Customers Best Practices Topics Existing Services: –Default MLS client –IDX/VOW –Brokerages –Other MLS clients –Homestore –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

16. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 16 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

17. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 17 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

18. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 18 RETS Implementation Practices Project Execution Manage scope with a change order process Recognize priority shift during implementation project: –Beginning – quality, functionality –Middle – cost –End – schedule Insist that resource commitments be honored Ignore distractions Project management contributes to project success

19. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 19 RETS Implementation Practices 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 Conclusion

20. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 20 RETS Implementation Practices Topic Summary RETS offers many benefits, but faces many of the common implementation challenges Learning curve is real –Many resources available to help Business case must drive the use of technology

21. File: 05_RETS_Implementation_Best_Practices.PPT 21 RETS Implementation Practices Implementation Project Reward