Cloud computing is really becoming popular and many people are using cloud computing and don’t even know it. For example, if you have used Google’s document service to store documents on your Google account, you are using cloud computing. If you have ever added content to a web portal and then retrieved that content from another computer, you are using cloud computing.
More and more applications are being developed so people can use them in the cloud instead of having to purchase and download software to one desktop. In real estate over the last two years, CTM contracts have developed a cloud computing platform where all of our real estate contracts are created and stored. I can write a contract for a client whether I am sitting at my desk or if I am at a Starbucks in San Francisco, California.
Cloud computing has been great for picture sites like Flickr. People can store their photos and other people like grandparents can login and access the latest shots of their grandkids. I use and love using Flickr for real estate because it’s a great web sharing platform for my listings. Fixing and editing photos are now all done in the cloud. In real estate, if I have to edit some photos of a house on the fly, I just go to the website Kanubee. It’s simple, easy, free, and it’s cloud computing.
At first there was concern over the security of storing important files and documents in the cloud. Fear of them being hacked or fears of them being lost to equipment failure were all real concerns. Great strides have been made in the last few years for encryption and security of sensitive files and now the backup systems that store all this data have their own backup systems.
Our office has just implemented a cloud computing platform to better manage and communicate all the real estate transactions for the company. Now all the agents can sign into one web portal, communicate with each other, and schedule multiple processes with just a few clicks of the mouse. In the past, most of these actions took a few phone calls, some emails, and little back and forth. That is now eliminated as technology continues to drive a more efficient machine with one process that is now speaking to another in computer language.
You can even set up a cloud computing platform for yourself and or your small business. I set one up two years ago for me and my business partner Gary so we could better manage our listings and the marketing required by each. It’s called Basecamp and they have really affordable plans for everyone.
If you haven’t dipped into this new technology, give it try. I promise it won’t hurt and might even help you.
Dan Polimino is a Realtor with Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty. He can be reached at DPolimino@fullerproperties.com and www.coloradodreamhouse.com/denverpost
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