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Wish Top Producer and other Realtor CRM Programs Would Produce a Mac Friendly Version

By Jessica Bigger

Services for Real Estate Pros with Bigger Communications

September 10, 2008 10:24 AM

Ok, maybe I'm stubborn. I have one of the newer mac notebooks (macbook) which does have the ability to handle some PC based programs by creating a wall that separates the PC side from the Apple side. But to be honest, I really just want to be Apple based and not be forced to have to use a PC for some real estate programs that would benefit my business.

I'm not sure how many of us are out there who prefer macs and other apple products over PC's, but there has to be enough of us and I'm sure the numbers are growing that Apple would want to work with some of these company's that create Real Estate or other Customer Relationship Management programs for macusers and vice versa. Why should we have to deal with PC's. They should create something for Macs.

Ok, I've said my peace. I'll be quiet now.

Macbook

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Janie Coffey

First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty - Ponte Vedra, FL

Uniting Extraordinary Homes w/ Extraordinary Lives

I have been a mac user for 15 years and was mad about the MLS and such RE programs as Top Producer, but I use Parralls now and have not had a problem. I use Mac's wifi Time Capsule to connect to the internet and have had no problem at all. These are the ONLY things I do on IE.

Mar 07, 2009 11:43 PM

Jessica Bigger

Bigger Communications - Reston, VA

Freelance Real Estate Business Writer

Thanks for sharing your strategy on this topic Janie. Always appreciated.

Mar 10, 2009 04:24 AM

Shelly Burrows

Keller Williams Energy Real Estate Brokerage - Oshawa, ON

I agree fully! That was my biggest irritation when I got my Mac because I would still have to use another computer at work...defeating the purpose of buying myself this new laptop. Its also frustrating because I dont have a Mac store near me so after a 3 hour drive (both ways) and spending time and money to do it, I might actually be able to use the programs. I tried to get the program that flips you back and forth from Mac to Microsoft but my computer wont let it load - lol - kinda figures..

Hopefully you are having better luck after all of your responses and I think that I am going to have to bite the bullet and spend the day at the Mac store to learn how to use it!

Best of luck!!

Mar 26, 2009 11:59 PM

Anonymous

Jeff Novick

I fall into the same boat. I am a newer Mac user (6 months), after almost throwing my PC out the window numerous times. I like everything better on a MAC, which is why I do not want to run windows on it. I have been researching CRM software for the entire 6 months and still can not decide what to do. The CRM's that say they work on a MAC may indeed, however most don't work like MAC software works (i.e. intuitive, uncomplicated...). Some seem to focus on large companies (I need this for my own real estate business). And of course it has to communicate with my iphone. I may have to go for a non-real estate CRM.

Here are some I am looking into; ACT for real estate, Active agent, Elements (Ntractive), Netsuite, Salesforce, REST, Redlein, Daylite, EB Suite and Heap.

Any Mac users out there have any luck with any of these?

Apr 07, 2009 01:09 AM

#14

Laura "Ole" Olesen

Sky Realty - Austin, TX

Am sad this stream left off here. Would love to know what results you've since then! Any updates? :)

May 24, 2009 01:38 AM

Jean Richer

Keller Williams Realty Inc. - Orléans, ON

Straight Talk on Real Estate

I agree 100% I am a new Mac user ( apx 6 months now ) and I believe that eventually, as more people ask for it, the programs for he mac will come out more and more. Like I always say "Once you go Mac, you never go back".

Sep 16, 2009 01:42 PM

Anonymous

Cathy Conn

I have been a mac user for many years. I DO NOT use parallels, I tried it and never liked it, however I LOVE VMWare Fusion http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/ They have made many upgrades it is fantastic I think. Our MLS has a pda version that works great on the mac too.

I think it stinks that none of the search engines for MLS will convert to whatever they need to do to use Mac only! Come on somebody ought to be a developer out there that can help us!

I would like to know what app's you use on the iphone that you just HAVE to HAVE?

Oct 03, 2009 05:16 AM

#18

Lisa Curt

Palm Breeze Realty, LLC - Nokomis, FL

I've been a Mac user for about 3 years...and won't go back to Windows/Microsoft, even if it means trying to find a work-around for whatever Microsoft-only program that I absolutely must use (for example, Internet Explorer to access my MLS). I've been happy with Crossover for Mac because with it I haven't had to put Windows on my Mac, yet I can still use my area MLS and other programs that require IE. I also like REST (Real Estate Success Tools CRM).

Oct 22, 2009 01:45 PM

Anonymous

Suzy Evans

I will be switching to a MacBook Pro this week and would like to know if anyone uses BENTO 3 for a CRM?

Nov 03, 2009 12:36 PM

#20

Anonymous

Mark McLafferty

My wife & I both have Macbook Pros and love them. I started out with VMWare Fusion and now HAR has the Citrix client. I do not like either one because they are cumbersome. My desktop PC just went on the fritz and we went to look at the new IMac 27" at Best Buy. Wow! Fell in love with it but expressed my concerns to the Apple rep about using Internet explorer to access MLS. She recommended "Cross Over Mac by Code Weavers". We downloaded the trial version and then downloaded Internet Explorer through the Cross Over program. Tempo works beautifully and does not kick you off like Citrix does all of the time. Finally a solution that allows Realtors to be on the Mac platform and get away from the frustrations of a PC. Our household never need or have a PC again! Needless to say I ordered a beautifull new IMac 27" desk top! Hoo Waaa!

Dec 10, 2009 05:45 AM

#21

Sam Miller

RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH

Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Jessica - Have you looked at "Daylight" yet? I was in a real estate meeting with some big top producers in late December and I got a chance to see Daylight in action and i was very impressed.

Jan 06, 2010 12:32 AM

Dawn & Charlie Tetro

PalmerHouse Properties & Associates - Johns Creek, GA

Real Service Real Results

I just purchased my very first Mac and i am so excited about the freedom to create and ease of use it represents. I am searching for the best way to integrate the programs I need with a Mac. I hear some of you love and hate Parallels, Fusion I hear is mostly positive, and not too much information about Northstar Access Network system. I currently use Mark-it advantage xi as my contact managment system, but wondering if i should go with another platform. i heard The Wise Agent was good on Mac. Any other recommendations?

May 28, 2010 05:19 AM

Sam Miller

RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH

Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Did you know that Top Producer 8i just launched an iPhone app? I believe we will see a Top Producer for Safari in the future along with other programs as so many of them move onto the cloud.

Sep 12, 2010 04:31 AM

Ryan Case

Pacific Servicing - Temecula, CA

As a Mac and a PC user, I agree!

Sep 12, 2010 04:34 AM

Anonymous

Sally Cashman

You know, I have seen Top Producer presentations and LOVE their product, especially market snapshot. But like you, I have my MacBook Pro and I want something that does it all, on a MAC not a PC Parallel. CRM, email marketing, tied into my website, social media, etc...right now I use Wise Agent for my CRM, Superlative for my website, and MAC MAIL for my contact database locally. Crazy duplicity...I think TP would make a LOT of money on their MAC product if they'd only pull the trigger.

Sep 23, 2010 09:43 AM

#26

Dawn & Charlie Tetro

PalmerHouse Properties & Associates - Johns Creek, GA

Real Service Real Results

I am currenlty testing My Red Tools on the Mac and so far I really do like it. Have any of you taken a look at this? It is similar to Top Producer but so much easier to use!!

Oct 09, 2010 03:45 AM

Gary David Hall

RE-ACT, LLC - Doylestown, PA

Real Estate CRM Sales, Training and Implementation

There are a couple of dekstop CRM's that work with a Mac, REST being one of them, and a couple good Web based ones, depending pon your needs. The answer to your original question is relatively simple. Supply and demand. The market for Real Estate specific Contact Managers and CRMs is arguably between 2 and 4 hundred thousand. Given that the top three to five CRM's have at least half of that market, it does not leave much room for the other 40 that are vying for what is left.

The number of Mac users that are also Real estate Agents, that also see the value in having a good CRM, that also are willing to spend the money for one - are very few in the scheme of things. You can't build a product that costs 2 million dollars to develop if you can only sell $100,000 worth of it.

Mac has been doing a great job of marketing, but what you don't see in the ads is that the reason more people still don't own them is the same reason it always has been. Business Software developers do not usually develop their software for a Mac if it is a desktop application.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that more and more applications are online or "in the cloud". This means a greater likelihood that they will work on your Mac, because they are not operating system dependent.

Before you spend money and time choosing a contact manager/CRM, wouldn't it be prudent to find out exactly what they are all capable of? Not knowing is like buying a house in Arizona without air conditioning because you never heard of such a thing. People propose using Outlook or Google because they don't realize how many shortcomings there are, assuming you want to grow your business, not just track people and appointments. Find out what you can have if you know what to look for!

I would like to take a moment to announce that my new book is out!

"Choosing and Using a Contact Manager or CRM".

"Gary sent me an advanced copy of his Contact Manager Book. It's an excellent resource on Customer Relationship Management (CRM), easy to read and full of gems. I highly recommend it, whether you are contemplating buying a CRM or you are currently happy with your CRM."

John Reilly - CEO & Publisher - Real Town

Oct 26, 2010 04:56 AM

Rich Gaasenbeek

IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM - Toronto, ON

Real Estate CRM & Marketing Made Easy!

My company offers a superb Realtor CRM system that works beautifully on the Mac and Safari web broswer. Our customers prefer it to, say a Top Producer, because of its ease-of-use.

Right now, you can download a free 5-week trial at www.ixactcontact.com

If you're interested in how IXACT Contact stacks up against Top Proucer, we've created a comparisson chart here: http://www.ixactcontact.com/IXACTvsTopProducer.aspx?a=gsecomcad-tp-201011011&gclid=CLnrgJa0vagCFQQbKgodaTv3CA

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Rich Gaasenbeek, IXACT Contact, The Easy Way To Manage Your Contacts

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ixactcontact
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ixactcontact
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.ixactcontact.com/

Apr 27, 2011 08:16 AM

Curtis Hunt

Coldwell Banker - Chicago, IL

Chicago House Hunt / Find Your Way Home

Been a Mac user for a couple years. I also use Brian Buffinis' CRM "Referral Maker. Love it. It works great with everything Apple.

Aug 28, 2013 11:18 PM

Gary David Hall

RE-ACT, LLC - Doylestown, PA

Real Estate CRM Sales, Training and Implementation

As far as web based CRMs, TP is really the only one left that is not 100% Mac compatible. It is - except for printing issues. They're working on that.

Aug 29, 2013 01:30 AM