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FlexMLS Beta Testing Underway
By: Dru Bloomfield,
AtHomeInScottsdale.com
Posted: Friday, May 9th, 2008, 4:00 pm MST
Category: flexmls Web
A group of us in the land of ARMLS have been testing away with an early version of our new MLS system.
I used to write code for Bell Labs and others, but never made a living as a system tester, so it’s been fun to change seats and try to break the code. It is a totally different mindset.
What I’m finding is that the more I play with Flex, the more ready I am for the system cut over to be here, and be here now. Yes, there are a few bugs, but for the most part, the system is almost ready for prime time. Completing my MLS work double over the past week, both in Marketlinx and in FlexMLS, I’m finding that I just want to stick with Flex.
As one of the agents who has (had) over 900 Gateway reports, I was focusing on all the problems that the transition was going to cause me. With the early notice that we’ve had to prepare for the cut over, I’ve personally made provisions to move to an interim system, so that my prospects and clients do not experience an interruption in service. I’ve had a few complaints about dead links, but for the most part, it just gives me another opportunity to have conversation with someone looking to purchase a home.
….and, I’m focusing on the improvements that will be available to us after the system cuts in late July.
Time Saver #1 - Routing and driving directions
1. Select houses to show.
2. Click on Directions button.
3. Wha-la!
May 9th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Thanks for the link in your post to my page on the “first computer bug” at http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/first_computer_bug.htm
I appreciate it!
James S. Huggins
…
May 9th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Dru,
How are you going to deal with the fact that the new system will not import the gateway searches?
Inquiring minds want to know!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
The new routing and driving directions tool looks great. Kind of a bummer about the gateway searches not coming over. Thanks for the updates..
May 9th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
This looks really good. I’m getting excited.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:23 am
James, Grace Hopper was one of my first computer heros. I had the good fortune to hear her speak, very late in her career. She was a change agent for technology, and you did a really nice job of sharing her story.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I’ve been testing Flex as well.
I want it NOW.
May 11th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Chiming in as another tester - July 28th can’t come fast enough!
May 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
[...] has been most on my mind this week after taking care of my active clients and potential clients, is testing our new Flex Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Those of us who have offered to test the system are working double time, setting up our [...]
May 13th, 2008 at 6:20 am
I’ve been doing some testing of the FlexMLS system as well. Trying to locate little issues that are not easily seen, but overall, it’s been impressive and I feel is almost ready for prime time.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Jim, Thought I’d answered your question a while back, but see that it’s not here.
ARMLS has expanded the number of third party vendors that have access to MLS data, so I’m using two programs (one for buyers, one for sellers) where email updates are automatically generated. While it’s not the same functionality as the Gateway, it keeps the communication flowing. One thing that I do prefer with both of these programs, is that I can control how often the emails go out.
I’ve received a couple complaints from Gateway subscribers, and have used that opportunity to expand the relationship by explaining what’s going on with MLS and the market.
Change requires flexibility. Sometimes it forces innovation, too. I’m making lemonade.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
It sounds great! I can’t wait until it’s here.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:13 am
When will training be available for the Trainers? I am the Technology Manager for a couple of KW offices and I want to get trained so I can then train and answer questions for 300+ agents. I am looking forward to the change but I know I will be hit with every question imaginable and I want to make sure I am prepared.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Chris, I just received the following email from Barbara Hoffman at ARMLS:
“Training for trainers is available on the 4th of June. We have one class still available at 1:00 pm on the 4th. The class will be held here at ARMLS at 120 S. Priest (corner of Priest and Rio Salado). The information I need to sign any one up is their name, company, email address and current user name. There is very little space available. Follow up classes will be held on the 18th with advanced topics being covered.”
July 6th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Hi,
I’m not from Phoenix, nor am I testing Flex MLS. I wouldn’t hold my breath on anything coming from MarketLinx, but here’s hoping that it’s better than the archaic crap like MLXchange.
However, I was a software engineer, before I became a realtor, and I know technology really well. I still keep up to date on technology on a regular basis.
The biggest obstacle for MarketLinx in their current product portfolio has been their reliance on a proprietary technology and framework from Microsoft - namely ActiveX and a variety of outdated and unsecure VisualBasic/ASP bloatware dating back to the mid to late 1990’s. This technology is so old and insecure and slow, that even Microsoft has stopped using it. Remember, this is the kit that ties the user to Internet Explorer as the ONLY choice of a web browser, and also renders MLXchange not accessible from a mobile phone.
I heard recently that MarketLinx has been developing a version of MLXchange using Adobe’s new Flex framework. While and sexy and fresh (as was ActiveX in the 1990’s), it is still ties to a single vendor for all future updates. Therefore the problem doesn’t necessarily go away; now we just have to deal with a less evil vendor (though they’re getting more and more evil every day).
I think the people at MarketLinx, really need to pull their heads out of the collective a$$es, and start developing a PROPER web application, using open, industry-standard, modern toolkits, such as PHP, Rails, Python and others, along with Ajax toolkits for the UI. This way they’ll never be tied to a vendor or a browser plug-in or runtime.
Somehow, I don’t see that happening. They seem to be some incompetent that they can’t even do basic assessment of the technology platforms. Adobe’s Flex is so new and un-weathered, even Adobe won’t rely on it for anything mission-critical. And yet, these guys have jumped on it, because they were sold with the glitz.
It’s very disappointing and shameful, that hundreds of thousands of realtors, all across North America, depend on a very backwards and incompetent company like MarketLinx.