Personal computing has entered a new age.
The way we conduct business, entertain and communicate with computers is constantly evolving, and I welcome you to the next phase. Here's a question for you to ponder: When was the last time you needed to load a CD-ROM into your drive? If it's been a while, you've already begun the journey into cloud computing.
Cloud computing is simply using the resources of the Internet to manage data and documents, enjoy multimedia, and automate business functions over the Web, by accessing network servers. These functions can now be done from anywhere, on any computer by simply signing on to the host website and managing the data from there.
Many companies have been managing their sales force activities and client relationship management for some time now, but companies like Google, Yahoo and Bing have led the way for individuals and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of cloud computing.
Take for instance, Google Calendar and Google Docs. These free applications allow you access to your information anytime, from anywhere as it is securely stored on their network servers. These applications can be shared by people you allow, even groups of people who can input data as necessary.
For real estate, cloud computing offers a tremendous opportunity to streamline the sales process, as well as enhance your marketing strategy in a marvelous way. Social networks are indeed a form of cloud computing as are media network sites like Hulu and Sling.com
Here’s an example of an innovative way of using cloud computing in your marketing plan: You want to share photos of your listings with your prospects. Rather than an attachment to an email, photos may be uploaded to free services such as Picasa or Flickr, organized into folders and full control of who gets to access your content. In Picasa, for example, up to 500 photos can be in one folder, so you basically have a free tool to a nearly unlimited opportunity to market your listings. Invite people to see your photos on the service and watch the sales increase.
Another useful tool is Google’s YouTube. An average of 100 million video uploads per day, but none of them keep your prospects away from your listing videos and virtual tours. Simply create a free YouTube channel. Upload your content onto the channel, mark them as private instead of public if you wish, and personally invite your prospects to view your content. No more worrying if a video file will be too large of an email attachment.
I’m expecting the cloud to be the way real estate transactions are done going into the future as well.
Imagine, if you haven’t already experienced it, a site on the Association’s server by which all the processes of a real estate transaction is performed, centrally located and in their own individual secure files under a transaction code number. Every step, from the initial contract, the offer, financing, Broker’s review, insurance, contractors, title, etc are all performed, reported and stored in one place. The file can be accessed only in parts by authorized users, and everything can be easily confirmed prior to closing, and no steps overlooked.
Smartphones play a huge role in cloud computing as well. As we become more dependent on the mobile office, access to this data from the Blackberry, iPhone or Pre will be crucial. Smartphones are getting more compatible to the Web with each generation, and will in many cases eliminate having to carry a laptop.
But in times when a PC is necessary……Enter the Netbook.
Netbooks are smaller versions of laptop computers, that actually are designed for cloud computing. Quite compact, averaging screen size of ten inches, and ranging in price from $249-$500. Most have flash memory instead of hard drives, run on Windows XP or Linux operating systems, and have no CD drives. In most other cases operate the same as any laptop. A thumb drive for file storage is a great accessory, but if you are true to cloud computing, you won’t even need that.
Services like Dropbox offer free storage space online so you can copy files from your hard drive to the Dropbox and later access them from any computer.
In my next installment I will discuss how we will access the cloud while in our automobi-office. Wireless carriers are offering services like WiMax, and 4G wireless Internet on the smartphone. Cloud computing, if you choose to be innovative with it is a novel and inexpensive way to manage your business without ever seeing your desk.
And just wait until you see your car’s new dashboard!
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