As mobile professionals, Realtors are particularly reliant upon data that can be obtained quickly and easily while in the field, making hand-held computing devices a natural fit. That's why Interealty, a leading MLS information management vendor, is working with wireless networks and cutting edge PDA manufacturers, particularly, the thin, light, always-on BlackBerry(tm), a next-generation PDA, to bring true mobile connectivity and productivity to Realtors.

The BlackBerry is a feather-weight, large-screen, slim PDA only a little larger than a woman's mirrored compact that can access MLS data without dialing in to the Internet because it is always "connected." With the BlackBerry, as soon as you pull it out of your coat pocket or handbag, you can access the Internet, perform property searches, access and make changes to your contact manager and calendar, and most importantly - e-mail your customer with two-way communication in in real time.

Says Jim Secord, director of business development for Interealty, "It is simple, thin, light - and it works."

Why the BlackBerry? "The RIM 957 BlackBerry is one of two hand-held devices that supports "always-on" technology and two-way communication," says Secord. "The other is the Motorola Timeport."

"Interealty is a proponent of wireless MLS access through "always-on" technology and two-way communication," he explains. "Our wireless application will allow agents to access listing, agent, office, and customer data. It will also allow agents to synchronize critical data such as customer information. The application is intended to be device agnostic, meaning it is designed to run on any wireless hand-held device.

"Another reason we selected the BlackBerry device is the quality and extent of network coverage provided through Cingular Networks. Cingular has more coverage than most cell phone networks," says Secord.

While Interealty is clearly enamored with the capabilities of the Blackberry, the company plans to support other PDAs with its wireless application, but there is no question that the company is making a statement by tooling its wireless application for the hottest PDA on the market. But don't think you've been left behind if you own an older hand-held.

"We are continually looking for other products to support and hand-held devices that support "always-on" technology," says Secord. "The next device on our radar is the new Handspring Visor due to be released in 2002."

Interealty's MLXchange wireless edition recently made its debut at the recent NAR convention in Chicago. Subscriptions should be available in early winter. "Subscription models are the way it is done for wireless because of the air time," says Secord, "but if you would rather own your own BlackBerry, you can buy your own device for about $250 and couple it with a reduced subscription rate."

Interealty plans to offer the plan through a number of wireless providers including Cingular and Emerest. The Emerest version, for example, is called the Emerest Wireless On-Demand™ Interealty MLXchange Edition, and the package includes the RIM BlackBerry 957 complete with charging cradle loaded with Interealty's MLS access software that interfaces with Emerest's wireless capabilities.

"We don't want to get into the business of selling these things, but we do want to make it available through different plans so that our customers feel they are in control of their choices," explains Secord. "We are enabling our software to work on a variety of platforms."

If always-ready pocket real estate isn't enough to turn on most Realtors, how about integrated customer management software?

"That is totally new in the industry," says Secord, who helped negotiate the licensing of Realty Desktop, a customer management software platform designed by Microsoft's HomeAdvisor. "Nobody else is doing that. Not only will they get leads coming in that they can see right away, but they can also follow up with appropriate actions and organization instantly."

Is the company making a statement by writing its wireless applications to state-of-the-art technologies? The BlackBerry is the cornerstone of Interealty's plan to make Realtors a truly professional mobile sales forces with tools and efficiencies to impress any buyer or seller techie hotshot.

"Interealty is indeed interfacing with the most advanced technology available," says Secord. "We are very excited about our new Blackberry Wireless solution. It utilizes push technology which means that system notifications of prospect matches and leads are automatically forwarded to the agent's hand-held device. There is no need to do a manual check."

"But the Blackberry is not just about capturing leads and prospects. It is an always-on communications tool, an extension of the agents corporate e-mail. It also allows agents to eliminate their pagers. Traditional Palm solutions do not extend this far."

The BlackBerry has not been widely adopted by Realtors yet, but it's popular in financial circles, offers Secord.

"You see people typing away with their thumbs, and you are connected with e-mail and never have to log in. It's like carrying around an in-box on your belt that is always on and always working," he says.