MyDesktop Real Estate

[patricktt]

Aloha, hey has anyone got experience with My Desktop, the real estate website from Commerce Australia?

Just wondering how that interacts with the actual real estate website? Does it create an xml document or something which the website accesses? Or is it more integrated than that?

Thanks

Patrick

[matthewh]

Hey patricktt,

I'm a developer for Commerce Australia - ask me anything you need.

We offer two options, XML Feed and XML Scripts.

XML Feed is where MyDesktop creates XML Files of changes to properties and sends them to your FTP space, then you parse those and update your SQL database. This is the same setup used by realestate.com.au, domain.com.au etc.

XML Scripts is where we supply a set of URLs which you can call (HTTP connection) that return XML for you to parse. This is easier to set up, but you rely on our servers responding in a timely fashion (if our server is slow to respond, your site will load slowly). Personally I think the XML Feed is the better solution, but its a pretty massive job to set up initially, so be warned. Once you've got it set up though, you can add further clients effortlessly.

As I said, let me know if you have any further questions and I'll answer them as best I can :)

Matt

[patricktt]

Hmm, it's all very interesting... So I would need to have an account with Commerce Australia?

This kind of stems from a different question, in that I have a potential client who is part of a real estate company and the company is basically selling the business and website separately. The business is sold, but the website is not.

This potential client wants to know if he should simply buy the website and in doing so, retain the current link with MyDesktop, or if he should start from scratch and setup his own link with MyDesktop. (not sure if he would lose any account data or if it is possible for a realtor to belong to multiple companies in MyDesktop). Problem is he doesn't know what the website is worth.

My thinking is that the only advantage to the website is the link with MyDesktop, so he shouldn't pay more than setting up his own would cost - but I have no idea how much that is :D

So I guess from all that, my questions would be:

1. How much does it cost to set up a MyDesktop account?
2. Can a realtor have multiple accounts in MyDesktop?
3. Can a realtor change their company while retaining any account details in MyDesktop?
4. To me the XML Scripts sound more inline with what I am used to dealing with, or are you telling me that with the XML Feeds, it would be set up with my hosting and then i can create multiple real estate websites using the one set of feeds or something? What are the different costs associated with these options?

And I think that's about all for now :D So many questions but is an industry I have been interested in dealing with for a while now, so keen to find out more.

Thanks!

[matthewh]

Hmm, it's all very interesting... So I would need to have an account with Commerce Australia?



No, the real estate office has the account with Commerce Australia. If they then wish to load their data to their web developer, they get an account add-on (either XML Scripts or XML Feed)



So I guess from all that, my questions would be:

1. How much does it cost to set up a MyDesktop account?
2. Can a realtor have multiple accounts in MyDesktop?
3. Can a realtor change their company while retaining any account details in MyDesktop?
4. To me the XML Scripts sound more inline with what I am used to dealing with, or are you telling me that with the XML Feeds, it would be set up with my hosting and then i can create multiple real estate websites using the one set of feeds or something? What are the different costs associated with these options?



1. The RE Agent should contact us for information on pricing (www.desktop.com.au/contactus.shtml).
2. Yes they can
3. Yes, that is possible
4. You are correct in what you say. I will PM you with pricing for the scripts and feeds.

[ekul24]

Hell absolute hell run as fast as you can. Seriously.
As long as you can get your data out definitely start from scratch or use an existing CRM

[patricktt]

bad experience? :D