Upstream: First Impressions from the Field

As the Upstream team prepares to go live with Broker Direct Feed, we're still working hard on Direct Input and plan to launch in RMLS and MLSListings soon. Recently, we introduced Upstream to pilot testers in RMLS (Portland) where they input, edited and managed listings. The team conducted three separate sessions with agents, brokers and MLS personnel to test usability, ease of training, and overall satisfaction.

As always, transparency has been the Upstream way. In our latest chapter of "Pilot Markets Tell All," we got the scoop on likes, dislikes, and opinions regarding the entire process.

Test groups included representatives from:

• Keller Williams Eugene & Springfield, Eugene: 9/26/2017
• Coldwell Banker Bain, Lake Oswego: 9/28/201
• RE/MAX Equity Group, Sunset Corridor: 9/27/2017

Most testers were quite satisfied with the listing entry process and assured the system provides enough guidance to enter a listing from start to finish. When asked what they liked most about Upstream, the most common answers were: easy to use, very intuitive, efficiency, clean, and love one-stop data entry. One user added, "Nice interface, feels snappy, will remove duplicate data entry for most of my listings."

Of course, there are two sides to every story. Although testers rave about the seamless, user-friendly interface, there is always room for improvements. The colors used to indicate required fields were difficult for some to recognize. One asked for a more prominent icon for starting the listing. And we can always create better, context-specific help messaging.
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Overall, there were no significant obstacles experienced while entering, editing, or changing a listing. The general reaction is that "Upstream is more logical and linear," and the "input process flows better" than current systems.

Other questions solicited open comments. Here's a sample of what testers wrote:

What do you like most about Upstream?

• "It's a user-friendly product. Easy to learn as a first-time user."
• "I like the fact that it is designed for simplicity for agents with teams or a transaction coordinator. Also, another item I enjoyed is the fact that you input the info into Upstream and from there it generates to others."

What do you dislike about Upstream?

• "Color shading of required areas. Shapes next to field would work better for me."
• "Dashboard is almost too simplified. More information about the listings or a photo of each listing would be nice."

What's one feature missing from Upstream?

• "A drop-down menu for local area schools"
• "Ability to create a custom label for photos, room name"

How is entering a listing in Upstream different from entering a listing in your MLS?

• "With side-by-side compare feature, less ping-ponging back and forth. Faster entry with drop-down lists."
• "Not that different. I think the transition to this system would not be stressful."

Which enhancement would you like to see on Upstream?

• "Wider reach for the market."
• "PDF photos?"

Our testers had little idea what they would experience, and expectations were high. One tester made a comment that sums up our findings.

"​At this time, it is obvious a great deal of thought and work has gone into this product. I see more testing by the 'users' as being a very important part of the success of this."

​We agree wholeheartedly!

To view the original article, visit the Swimming Upstream blog.