CRM AKA Contact Management

<p> California recently passed legislation named <a href="http://clta.org/e-news/sep2008/sacramentoReport_sb133.html">SB-133</a> that seems to have many agents in CA on the verge of being left out to dry in regards to their technology - much of which is used to manage an agents contacts. SB-133 is regulation to change how Title companies market in California </p> <p> I have not been able to fully comprehend the ramifications of the law, but from the sounds of the calls we have been getting from large Brokers who use Marketlinx software, they are not sure if the software they used to run their company will be able to be used in 2009. </p> <p> Wondering if anyone has heard from a reliable source, what impacts SB-133 has on all the different technology tools being offered from the title companies. </p>

<p class="c1"> Someone recently asked: </p> <p class="c1"> I&#39;m getting a 1st gen iPhone as a gift from my brother and am very excited to get going with it. Before I jump in I&#39;m looking for suggestions, tips &amp; ideas from the iPhone users out there: </p> <p class="c1"> 1) What CRM solution are you using &amp; how does it work with your iPhone? </p> <p> This person may have no choice. She&#39;s getting the iPhone as a gift. What I&#39;ve been running into a LOT lately, is people going out and getting an iPhone, and THEN asking me what CRM to get, that works with an iPhone. That&#39;s backwards. OK - I get it that the iPhone is the great new toy, but when it comes to which phone/PDA you should get, THAT choice SHOULD come AFTER you get your CRM solution. Your CRM solution is a far more important, complex, and long term choice than your PDA. </p>

<p> Is anyone using a product that uses Funambol to synch your PDA to your CRM or Contact Manager? It is - their quote - &quot;the leading provider of open source push email and mobile sync for the mass market,&quot; Several CRM&#39;s with which I am affiliated, are usng it, and I would love to get some feedback regarding it&#39;s functionality, stability, ease of use, etc. </p>

<p> For the record, I just wanted to make sure everyone here knows that I am a reseller for 19 of the 26 Real Estate specific CRM&#39;s that are on the market, as of this date. The rest are coming soon. Within 30 - 60 days the other 7, meaning EVERY RE CRM on the market will be available for purchase, and for more information, directly from my site. </p> <p> It is a common concern that by purchasing through me, as opposed to purchasing directly from the provider, that you will somehow get less. On the contrary: </p> <div style="margin-left: 2em"> <ul> <li> <p class="just"> <i><b>ALL our prices are equal to, or lower than anyone anywhere.</b></i> <b><i>We will not be beat on price, or <a href="#service">service!</a></i></b> </p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p class="just"> <a href="valurpropcrm.htm"><u><i><b>FREE</b></i></u> unbiased counseling on your decision</a> </p> </li> <li> <p class="just"> My <i><b>influence</b></i> with providers if needed. I have had to bring out my &quot;big bat&quot; in the past. I&#39;m not afraid to use it. :-) </p> </li> </ul><br /> </div>

<p> I frequently come across agents that do not want to spend the money for a full fledged CRM product. They continue to use Outlook and they also continue to struggle with staying in touch with their sphere of influence because they don&#39;t have time to set up the program to be as effective as a full CRM product. Any recommendations on how to advise them to proceed? </p> <p> Should they just bite the bullet and get a Real Estate CRM program? Or just continue to struggle? Or just get out of the business? </p> <p> Are there any shareware type CRM&#39;s? </p>

<p> Has anyone had any experience with AgentAchieve through MarketLinx? </p>

<p> FYI - Judy B asked for a user group for Xi, so I just started one on Yahoo. Don&#39;t shoot me Amigos! I&#39;m just very used to the format from participating in the Agent Office anf Top Producer user groups there. It&#39;s at <a href="http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Mark-It-AdvantageXi/">http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Mark-It-AdvantageXi/</a> </p> <p> The reason I did it is because it&#39;s easier to respond to a post. Amigos - when you do the following here - I will move that group to here. When I get notification of a post from Yahoo groups, I hit reply, it takes me to a login, I log in, and then it takes me right to the post I want to reply to. Here - I have to log in, then find the post, then reply. Too cumbersome by comparison. I&#39;m sure you&#39;ll do something comparable soon. When I see it, I&#39;ll move the group. </p>