JULY 2018 UPDATE ON DATA SHARING
It goes without saying that our industry is continuing to experience significant changes, many as the result of advances in technology. Most obvious for our Members is OMDREB’s participation in ORTIS, our regional Matrix collaboration involving 10 associations, plus the data share with the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton Burlington. Our colleagues to the west and north created a similar regional Matrix system in the Ontario Collective (the OC) which includes the following associations:
ORTIS and the OC recently held a series of meetings to identify synergies to expand data access and provide greater service to our respective Members. Through these meetings, we determined that while we have differences, none are so great that they would prevent us from working together to provide our REALTOR® Members with the most robust MLS® System possible.
As you can appreciate, this is a large and complicated initiative. We are still in the preliminary discussion stage, with much work ahead of us to determine best options. We mention it now because we are aware it is being talked about and we simply want to clear the air of any rumours and be transparent. Yes, we have talked. And yes, the conversa- tions are encouraging, but we still have a long way to go.
As an interim solution while this research is in progress, ORTIS and the OC have agreed that free reciprocal access to each regional system will be provided to our respective Members via IntraMatrix. Once in place, it will allow Members of both ORTIS and the OC access to each other’s system from within their own Matrix system. The target date to release IntraMatrix is July 23. A more detailed description of the program and instructions on its use will follow shortly.
Please note that this is simply access, it does not provide any rights of Membership in the other Regional system nor does it merge any of our data.
There is no end to the opportunities on our horizon, and the governors/directors of both Regionals are committed to taking advantage of every possibility to expand and improve the data and services that we provide to you, our Members.
