Presented at the Florida Association of Realtors AE Seminar

1. Associations Through
Technology
Michael Cutlip
Product Manager, RAMCO AMS
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2. Save a tree!
http://www.
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3. Associations Through
Technology
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4. Preparation
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5. Powerpoint Templates Page 5

6. Free Yourself from Paper
• Future Paper
– What can be digitized?
– Paperless Billing
– Digital Signatures
– eFax Solutions
• Past Paper
– Scanning and OCR
– Document management and retrieval
– Ex: DocStar
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7. Storage and Backup
• Centralized Storage
– File server or NAS (Network Attached Storage)
– Redundant drives for reliability
– Lower cost of ownership
– Additional functions beyond storage
• Centralized backup and recovery
– Hardware appliances
– Software backups to the cloud
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8. In the Cloud…
On the Ground…
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10. Major Benefits
• Access data from anywhere
• Synchronization across platforms
– Files
– Settings
• Security
• Data storage and backup
• Lessen onsite IT requirements
• Easier integration with other tools and
services
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11. Major Drawbacks
• Access to data during outages, etc
• Feature comparison
• File format lock-in
– Migration from one cloud to another
– DataLiberation.org – Google service detailing
how to get data in and out of Google services
• Support
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12. Cost Analysis
• Cloud
– Low to zero upfront cost
– Constant updates
– Costs rolled into predictable recurring amount
• Local
– Higher initial costs
– Perpetual ownership
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13. I…
AM…
NOT…
A…
LAWYER!!!
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14. Legal Considerations
• Ownership of the data
• What if data is compromised / stolen
– LOLs (not the funny kind) – Limitation of
Liability
– Have your attorney read the Indemnification
clause(s) carefully
• Who pays, and how much, if the SaaS vendor is
breached or hacked? Is that amount limited by the
LOL?
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15. Legal Considerations
• Compliance with state or federal law
• What if data is subpoenaed
• Return of data at the end of the
relationship
• What happens if the software vendor
disappears
• Review the Terms of Use regarding
deletion of data
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16. Implementation
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17. Storing Data in the Cloud
• Store files in the cloud
• Sync files across multiple PCs
• Access files via an app on Android, iPhone
or Windows Phone devices
• Free storage, pay for more
• Share files and folders with other users
• Generally sync only one folder
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18. Storing Data in the Cloud
• Major Consumer-Focused Services
– Dropbox
• Original “easy” sync tool. 2GB free
– Google Drive
• Used to store Google Apps and Google Docs files
• Save and browse Google files locally. 5GB free.
– Windows Live Mesh and Skydrive
• Live Mesh may sunset; most functions rolled into Skydrive
• Remotely view all files on the PC, not just those in the sync
folder.
• Integrated deeply into MS Office 15. Offers 7GB free
– iCloud
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19. Productivity and Collaboration
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20. Productivity and Collaboration
• Collaborate and create in realtime
• Examples
– Zoho
– Google Docs and Google Apps
– Office 365
• Project management solutions
– Basecamp
– Central Desktop
– Wrike
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21. Let’s Get Engaged!
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22. Engaging Leadership
• Webinar / Web Conferencing
– Webex
• Florida AoR has discounts on Webex accounts
• Up to 25 attendees, or upgrade to enterprise level
– Adobe Connect
• Up to 99 attendees, add “seminar” rooms for more.
• Free trial available
– GoToMeeting
• Simplest to use, 25 users in a meeting or upgrade to
“Webinar” version. Free trial available
– Google Hangouts
• Free. Up to 9 simultaneous video feeds with sharing and
conference calling.
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23. Engaging Membership
• Education Opportunities
• LMS (Learning Mgmt System)
• More effort, more reward
– Moodle.org
– Free and Open Source platform
– Build your own content
• Less effort, less reward
– Partner with existing LMS vendor
– Ex: Kaplan, Dearborn, Learning Library
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24. Getting the Word Out
• Get a reliable email tool
• Convio
– Save your own email server from blacklists
– Free to state and local AoRs
– Syncs with NRDS
– Metrics on your marketing efforts
– Advocacy (Call for Action) capabilities
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25. Community and Engagement
NAR State Board Local Board
NAR MAR
Local Board
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26. Secure Community
• Threaded discussions
• Harness the power of the membership by
listening to them
• Metrics of engagement
• Social media integration
• Email delivery
• Example: Higher Logic, Inc
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27. TheLanding.net

28. Resistance to Change?
• Make it a requirement of membership on
the board or committee
• Don’t play to the least technologically-
capable denominator
• Lead by example
• Reward good behavior
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29. Utilization
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30. Utilization
• Billing
– Paperless payables
– Paperless receivables
• Courses and classes
– Online delivery
– Send handouts to students as digital files
– Online forums where instructors and students can
communicate
• Engaging Leadership
– Committee meetings via online meeting. Recording
and archiving.
– BoD online voting
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31. Utilization
• Pro standards management
– Task tracking and deadlines / project management
– File management
– Digital signatures
• Communications and engagement
– Email (better email)
– Online communities
– Social media
• Member analysis and predictions
– CRM and Communities
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32. Overcome Your Own Fear
• Don’t be afraid - Technology doesn’t byte
• Have to be willing to learn and experiment
• A carrot and a stick
• Test Test Test
– Required feature set
– Free trials
– If no trial option, pay a single month of service
• Staff buy-in
• Technology expertise
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33. You Improve Your Association…
Technology is a means to that end…
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34. Q&A / Discussion
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