This is the latest in a series of 'Buyer's Guides' that feature questions to ask and options to consider before making a new purchase. See our previous guides to purchasing a CMA, CRM, Document and Transaction Management, Electronic Signature, Ad Network, IDX/VOW, and iPad App.

What are Back Office Solutions?

So much of the business of a real estate broker goes on behind-the-scenes, in your back office. Functions such as accounting, lead routing, reporting, and agent management often fall into this category and are managed with back office software. Each back office solution is different, so it's important to understand what you expect from your technology.

Questions to Ask

There are some important questions to ask when buying any real estate technology product and some that are unique to choosing a Back Office solution.

First, let's look at general questions you'll want to ask.

• What are my objectives for this piece of technology and will this product help me achieve those objectives?
• What is my budget?
• Does my MLS or Association have any agreements with any vendors that might help me obtain this product at a discount or for free?
• What kind of customer service and training programs are available? Are there webinars and, if so, are they recorded so you can view them at any time? Is the vendor's online help sufficient?

After you've asked and answered these questions, you can get down to the back office-specific questions:

• Do I already use accounting software and, if so, will it integrate with my back office solution?
• MLS data can play a role in back office functions. Will this product pull data from my MLS? What is the frequency of listing updates from your MLS (goal is 15 minutes)? Does it support multiple MLSs, if your company requires that?
• What does it integrate with my Exchange or Gmail/Google Calendar system?
• Does it support permissions for super admin, executive management, regional management, office management, office admin, teams, and agents? Similarly, does it have a role-based document management solution?
• Is there enterprise calendar management?
• Can you pull in leads from all lead sources?
• Does it integrate with agent website management?
• Does it have drip marketing?
• Can it be fully white labeled?
• Does it integrate with the print ordering program within your brokerage?
• Can you order sign-up/sign-down service, photography, and other types of activities?
• Does it provide seller reports that show all marketing activities?
• Does it have a Google-like universal search?
• Does it display market penetration numbers?
• Does it support ancillary businesses, if needed—like commercial, property management, new home, mortgage, title, or insurance?
• Does it have single sign-on to other applications?
• Can data be easily imported and exported should you choose to switch vendors in the future?
• Does it have an integrated Customer Relationship Management solution or Competitive Market Analysis solution?

Your Options

For more information on these options, download our 2013 Technology Guide.

• Pipeline ROI: From a la mode, Inc., this Web-based app imports leads from any source and allows brokers to set rules for distributing the leads to agents. Advanced metrics help you track lead and agent performance.
• AgentAchieve: CoreLogic's broker business management solution incorporates websites, lead management, CRM, and online marketing, as well as other tools to support you and your agents.
• Listingbook: Compatible with any MLS system, Listingbook supports real estate professionals with a client management system to incubate leads, drip marketing tools, property promotion tools, and a variety of comprehensive reports.
• brokerWOLF: Always know where your money is coming from and going to, as well as your agents' progress with this back office solution from Lone Wolf.
• WOLFconnect: A virtual office that connects brokers with agents. Lone Wolf's solution helps you communicate news or events, manage or distribute leads, market your brokerage, manage documents, coordinate events, and much more.
• Point2 Property Manager: A Web-based property management tool for those who oversee apartments, duplexes, single family housing or vacation homes. Gain 24/7 access to your property and tenant, accounting functionality, resident portals, property marketing websites, and free data backups.
• TigerLead®: The solution for real estate professionals with a high volume of leads comes to you from realtor.com®. It's an easy way to get high quality buyer leads, connect with more of your leads, and manage your team.

Next Steps

• Download the 2013 Technology Guide
• Read articles about back office solutions
• Visit the back office section of our product directory
• Contact the vendors above
• Talk to your MLS, Association, or broker