Upstream Project Update - February 2017

PILOT

On February 15, the team completed all on-site Discovery meetings with each of the 16 brokerage firms and five MLSs in our first pilot.   This allowed us to finalize the business rule assessment, workflow documentation, training and customer support models.  Armed with this information, the team completed these upgrades preparing to scale massively:

• RPR executed a contract with Real Estate Business Resource (REBR) to deliver web-based training support.  
• RPR's Customer Support Center completed upgrades to its phone and network system allowing it to answer dedicated calls from Upstream users and support staff.

The team continued Discovery meetings in the seven selected Phase II Pilot markets:

• Detroit, Michigan
  • Realcomp MLS - Locked down the on-site business rule assessment for March 8/9th
  • Real Estate One-Continue to schedule on-site Discovery meetings.
• Austin, Texas
  • Austin Board of REALTORS® - Confirmation of participation.
  • Keller Williams International - Scheduling on-site Discovery meetings
  • Tenura Holdings/Private Label Realty - Completing Broker Assessment Template before Discovery meetings.
• Richmond, Virginia
  • Long and Foster Completed on-site Discovery meeting
  • Developing joint communication plan to approach Central Virginia MLS/Richmond Assoc. of REALTORS®
• New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Pending discussions with Latter and Blum.
  • Pending discussions with Gulf South Real Estate Information Network (GSREIN)
• Phoenix, Arizona
  • Scheduled on-site business rule assessment with ARMLS for February 22/23
  • Scheduling on-site Discovery meetings with RSLIR, with outreach to BHHS Arizona Properties
• Memphis, Tennessee
  • Scheduling discussions with Crye-Leike Realty and Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®.
• Miami, Florida
  • Broker Discovery meetings completed.
  • Miami MLS on hold, pending additional progress in Phase I markets.

  
DEVELOPMENT

Sprint 13 is scheduled for release on March 8.  Refinement of support for OData querying of the “flat” listings resource continues as we test against the RESO Web API 1.0.3 specification. 

We continue to make progress behind the scenes on the administrative dashboard for Upstream brokerages, authorized MLS staff, and RPR support staff.  Admin development is a multi-sprint effort; the team is engaged in building out the administration of business entities in the system, including agents, teams, offices, firms, and associated staff users.
​
STAFFING

No headcount changes or additions.  We are running lean!

AGREEMENTS

The Agreements Work Group is working on the final agreements (non-beta).  Additionally, the team reviewed the new Terms of Use and Supplement from ACTRIS that acquires ownership of the participant’s data and, in exchange, will protect the participant’s data. The participant gets an unrestricted license to use the data in return.   One action item was to consider whether Upstream should offer to register members’ copyrights as a free service.

 GOVERNANCE
 
To better align with our MLS partners, the board will vote on the creation of a new "member group" at our next Board of Managers meeting.  Currently, to become a member, which allows you to select a board representative, you must be a brokerage.   The creation of a new MLS member type will pave the way for participating MLSs to have representation on the Board of Managers.

 NOTE FROM THE CEO

​This has been an exciting month as "conference season" kicked off.  I'm seeing increasing support and excitement as we addressed brokerages at the Keller Williams, RE/MAX and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World conferences.  I’m encouraged as questions have shifted from “What is Upstream?” and “Why do we need it?” to “When will it be live?” and “How do we get involved?”