MLXchange 3.0 Upgrade June 5

Thursday 24 May 2007

What you need to know to be prepared for the June 5 upgrade

Tuesday June 5, we'll be upgrading MLXchange to version 3.0. The upgrade will occur between 5:00AM and 9:00AM, during which time the system will be inaccessible. Recently tested and proven in other markets, MLXchange 3.0 contains many great new features designed to make you a more efficient and effective real estate professional.

Help Desk Gears Up For Release of MLXchange 3.0

We're anticipating your calls and questions. Our Help Desk Professionals have been training with MLXchange 3.0 so they can provide expert help when you need it. Because we're expecting increased call volume starting June 5, we're enlisting additional services to help you make the transition. Starting June 5, if you call our Help Desk and do not reach a Help Desk Professional immediately, you'll have the option to hang up and call an 800 number for further support (we will publish the number in a special June 4 e-zine).

MLXchange 3.0 Resources

The developer of MLXchange 3.0 has released a number of helpful resources designed to illustrate the changes and make your transition as smooth as possible.

MLXchange 3.0 Manual

Download a PDF of the user's manual for detailed instructions on all of MLXchange's features.

Online Demo

This comprehensive Flash demonstration provides a fantastic overview of the changes you'll expect. If you do nothing else to prepare for the upgrade, watch this presentation.

What You Need to Know Before the Upgrade

Pop-up Blockers

MLXchange checks to see if you have a pop-up blocker enabled. If you have a pop-up blocker, or several pop-up blockers enabled, you will need to set them to allow pop-ups from MLXchange.

License Agreement

The first time you log in, you will be prompted to accept the license agreement. You will need to scroll down within the box to see the option for accepting the license agreement.

Windows XP Service Pack 2

If you are using Windows XP, you must have Service Pack 2. You can update your Windows XP by clicking on Tools > Windows Update from the top left of Internet Explorer. If you use Windows XP and don't update to Service Pack 2, you will get an error message when loading the application.

Minimum Screen Resolution

The minimum recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768. MLXchange no longer supports 800 x 600.

Use Internet Explorer as your Browser

Internet Explorer is required. Do not use other browsers such as AOL, Firefox, or Netscape Navigator.

Maximize Internet Explorer Window

Maximize your Internet Explorer window to ensure the scroll bar displays beside the search criteria.

What You Need to Know After the Upgrade

Uploading Images

Changes to Image Submitter now require images smaller than 2 MB. If you try to upload images that are over 2MB, you will receive an error, and you will need to resize your image.

Find a Client Search on the Home Page

When searching for a client, it is recommended to search by either first name or last name. Avoid using both first and last names.

Saved Search Manager Default Change

Saved Search Manager defaults to "Active Prospector Searches." To access other searches, change "Status" to "All Searches."

Find a Listing Search Default Change

The Home Page "Find a Listing" search defaults to "On Market Status" listings only. Uncheck for all status searches.

Emailed Listings Displayed on Agent Web Site

(For MLX Professional Users Only) Listings Emailed within the Agent Web Site are now displayed on the Private Client View under Agent Recommendations. Note that listings can be sent independent of the Agent Web Site, if desired.

New MLXchange Synchronization Tool

(For MLX Professional Users Only) You can now synchronize your appointments, tasks, and client contacts with MS Outlook into your PDA. There is a limit on the number of users that can synchronize at the same time. If you get a message that the maximum number has been reached, please try again.

Top Ten Enhanced Features of MLXchange 3.0:

Below you'll find a list of users' favorite upgrades. The images shown are provided by MarketLinx, the developer of MLXchange 3.0, for demonstration purposes. What you see when you access the system may vary slightly.

1. Navigation

New Navigation Tabs quickly deliver you to the features you use most.

2. Find a Listing

Street Number, Street Name, and Unit Number are three separate input fields for the "Find a Listing" search on the Home Page. Breaking up the information helps ensure more accurate search results.

3. Enhanced Print Functionality

Print Control now gives you more capabilities with an optional ActiveX control installation; you can even choose "Save PDF" (this option doesn't apply to statistical reports).

4. Search for up to 10 Specific Addresses

This will produce a customized search results page with just the specific results you want on a single page. This is a great tool for getting several different listings together on one page -- listings that would be difficult to group using other traditional searches like zip code or price.

5. Reorder Search Results

With MLXchange 2.0, you can sort search results by any of the column headings, but with MLXchange 3.0, you can specifically reorder listings by selecting a property and moving it up and down the page with the reorder control.

6. Image Viewer

By clicking on the photos in a listing, you open an Image Viewer, giving you larger, easy-to-browse images.

7. New Mapping Features

With 2.0, the only way to search a map was by selecting an area with a clumsy rectangle. MLXchange 3.0 gives you much more power by allowing you define a radius from a single point or by drawing an irregular polygon shape to define the exact area you're looking for. Also, the Search Map feature now has its own tab, independent from the search form, making it easier to use.

8. CMA Wizard

Preparing a CMA can be tricky. The new CMA Wizard simplifies the process by giving you a step-by-step set-up Wizard.

9. Spell Checker

A spell check option has been added to the Listing Maintenance text fields and Email editor. It features an English, Spanish, and French dictionary. To take advantage of the spell check option, you'll have to click on the spell check button where it is available.

10. Reset Search Fields

Tired of clearing out search criteria by hand? On the Search form, the little yellow eraser icon resets the field automatically.

Have You Paid Your 2007-2008 Subscription Fees Online?

Thursday 24 May 2007

You don't need an E-Bill to make an online, on-time payment

Last week we issued custom E-Bills to our subscribers detailing the 2007-2008 Subscription Fees and our online, on-time payment incentives. If you didn't receive an E-Bill, it is possible it was caught in your spam or bulk Email folder or that we had an incorrect Email address on file for you.

The good news is that you don't need an E-Bill to take advantage of our online, on-time payment incentives. Simply log on to our online payment center to view and pay your Subscription Fees.

Thousands have already taken advantage of the online, on-time payment incentive, saving up to $92.00 on their subscription fees. Thank you for your prompt payment! If you haven't made your online, on-time payment yet, you have until 5:00PM on June 15. Late payments are not eligible for the online, on-time payment incentives, and will be assessed a $40.00 late charge. Don’t delay. Pay now and save!

Passport Sails Into the Sunset

Saturday 12 May 2007

The desktop application retires June 5

As we introduce MLXchange 3.0, we'll also be waving "good-bye" to MLS Passport. Passport, which has served our subscribers well for years, will be sunset on June 5.

Passport relies on downloading the MLS database to your computer to be accessed later by the desktop application. In the early days of the Internet, we didn't have the technology to provide the sophisticated searches and applications you required with an online application, and Passport provided a perfect solution. But in the past several years, not only have our online applications caught up with Passport's capabilities, they have surpassed them.

With only a hand full of subscribers still using Passport, and considering the sizable expense of keeping Passport updated, your MFRMLS Board of Directors voted to sunset Passport on June 5. If you are a loyal Passport user, contact the MFR Help Desk, and we'll be happy to help you make the transition to MLXchange.

Withdrawn Abuse

Saturday 12 May 2007

Listings withdrawn and re-posted by the same agent

We've noted a rise in the occurrence of Withdrawn Abuse on your MLS. Withdrawn Abuse is when an agent withdraws a listing and re-posts it in less than 30 days. As a result, MLXchange reports an inaccurate days on market figure, compromising the accuracy of the data in your MLS.

The only proper time to withdraw a property is when the seller has signed a new listing agreement with a new agent or company, or if they have decided to take their home off the market. If a seller who has taken their home off the market wishes to re-list with the same agent, we regard a period of 30 days as a reasonable time to allow for a listing to be legitimately renewed.

Withdrawn Abuse is a finable offence, so please make sure if you need to withdraw a listing, you do it for the right reason and do it in accordance with our rules and regulations.

Tax ID violations top the list

Saturday 12 May 2007


Thanks to the intensive educational and enforcement efforts of MLS staff, and to your vigilance in double-checking your listings for accuracy, fines are down 70% since November of last year. Of course, there is always room for improvement, and this month our focus is on Tax ID violations and Remarks violations.

Topping April's list were Tax ID Violations. Properly configuring Tax ID's can be tricky, that's why we implemented the Tax Autopop, which will properly complete the Tax ID field for you automatically. The best way to avoid a Tax ID fine is to use the Tax Autopop feature.

A close second were Remarks violations, representing a sharp increase from March (Remarks violations didn't even make our top five in March). Of the four fields MLXchange provides for listing agents to make comments - Public Remarks, Additional Remarks, Driving Directions, and REALTOR Only Remarks - the only field you should put contact and URL information is in REALTOR Only Remarks. Take a moment to double-check your listings to make sure you're not violating this important rule.

MLXchange 3.0 Rolls Out June 5

Saturday 12 May 2007

New version boasts many new features


On Tuesday June 5, we'll be converting to the newest and best version of MLXchange yet. Based upon feedback from subscribers like you, the MLXchange programmers have loaded 3.0 with dozens of new features designed to make you more efficient and more effective. One of the most popular: spell check!

The upgrade will take place between 5AM and 9AM on June 5. As a result, you'll be unable to access MLXchange during this time. After 9AM, when you access MLXchange, much will appear the same, but some things will look a little different. Plan on taking a few minutes to orient yourself to the upgrades. In our next e-zine, we will provide details on some of the biggest changes and links to helpful resources. Meanwhile, our Help Desk is gearing up so that we're ready to answer any questions you may have.

Here's an overview of the improvements offered by MLXchange 3.0:

  • Session Tracker remembers your place in case you need to log in again due to inactivity
  • Identity Sharing for assistants and teams
  • Home Page Quick Links to your inventory and your office inventory
  • Prospector Statistics show the number of matches, e-mails sent and read
  • Option for Prospector to re-send notification e-mails on price changes and new images
  • Client Action Plans automate scheduling of routine tasks
  • Synchronize clients, tasks and appointments with Outlook into your PDA
  • Private Client View is now password protected
  • Private Client View Property List collaboration between you and your client
  • More Agent Web Page templates
  • E-mail multiple reports at once
  • More e-mail templates
  • Multiple Address Search up to 10 separate addresses
  • Polygon mapping search and improved radius search
  • Easier Column Report (Results Grid) setup and modification
  • Save Grid column adjustments on Column Report (Results Grid)
  • Manual reordering of listings in search results
  • HyperLinks in Grid (Search Results) and Reports to agent, office, tax and mortgage calculator
  • Market Area Activity graphs
  • CMA Wizard and ability to include comps from iMapp
  • Buy vs. Rent Calculator
  • Pop-up calendar
  • Spellchecker
  • Fax-in listing attachments
  • Save as a PDF added to printer control
  • Click image to launch Image Viewer
  • Improved image quality
  • Ability to reorder images
  • Add comments to images

Expect your E-Bill Monday, May 14

Saturday 12 May 2007

Did you get your E-Bill notification?


Starting today, you can log on to our online payment center to access your account, view an invoice for your 2007-2008 MLS fees, and take advantage of your online, on-time payment incentive.

Earlier this week, we sent out an E-Bill notification to the Email address on record for you. If you received your E-Bill notification, you can be assured that you'll see you E-Bill on Monday, May 14. Your E-Bill will contain an explanation of your fees, your payment options, and payment incentives.

If you didn't receive your E-Bill notification, it's possible that it was caught in you spam folder or that the Email address we have on file for you is incorrect. You can submit a new Email address by clicking here and entering your Member ID and the new address to which you'd like us to send your E-Bill.

When you log on to our online payment center, it will ask you for your Logon ID (this is your Member ID) and your Password. Remember: our online payment center does not use LoginKey(TM) technology, so you will not need a tokencode to access your account.