The Challenge

Becker Realty estate agents call on potential clients who have differing requirements for the particular home or property they are looking for.

On visiting the client, the agent establishes the client’s budget, the size (including number of rooms, bathrooms, garages, dining rooms, entertainment areas, etc.), the style and the particular area the client would prefer to live in. On collection of all the information the agent would then manually go through the listing sheets of the properties and establish which properties match the client's criteria.

An agent, on visiting a property that is to be marketed for sale or rental, records a description of the house i.e. the number of bedrooms and bathrooms ,etc., style of the house, general condition, size and value of rental or sale. All the information is captured manually onto a listing sheet which is then recaptured into a backend data base usually by the agent who listed the property (somebody who should be on the road selling!) or the listing sheet is photocopied and distributed manually

The Solution

Using Integr8or Mobile Application Server and mobileagent on a SonyEricsson phone the agent is able to capture all information on new property listings and upload the information directly into the back-end databases remotely. The information is captured once, eliminating the need for someone else to recapture the data into the back-end databases and realizing an immediate saving in time and money. The details of the newly-listed property are then immediately available to all agents who have access to the system. Previously this newly listed property would only have been available once the information had been captured or the listing sheet photocopied, distributed and filed by their fellow agents. As properties are sold or removed from the listing this information is immediately available to all agents preventing the potentially embarrassing situation of showing to a client a property that is no longer on the market.

When an agent meets a potential new client, all the details in terms of client requirements for a property are collected on the handheld device. From the device the device the agent electronically requests a list of properties matching the requirements. This immediately saves time and gives a professional presentation by not having to page through files of listing sheets that may be inaccurate.

All data is transferred to back-end databases hosted by Mobile Gateway Solutions. Becker Realty have the ability to add, edit and delete records in the database via  an administrator function in a web-based browser.

The Benefits

The turn-around time for the capture and dissemination of information on new and current listings is reduced dramatically. The speed at which information on all listed properties is made available gives immediate returns in time-saving and professional presentation. The solution allows for one point of responsibility, more streamlined business processes with the benefits of more productive agents and better data integrity.

Conclusion

A mobile solution providing a more streamlined, simple and accurate business process adding value to the field and administration staff activities of Becker Realty.