There’s A Lot to Love in the New MLXchange 4.0
MFRMLS
If you’ve been paying attention, you already know that we’ve upgraded our MLS system from MLXchange 3.0 to MLXchange 4.0. What you may not know yet is just how much there is in this new upgraded version. From a friendlier interface to streamlined listings and new tools to make your life even easier, MLXchange 4.0 is a welcome change. Just take a look at the changes that make this familiar software easier, handier and more robust than you ever thought it could be.
Right Up Front
One of the first things you’ll notice when you log into your MLXchange 4.0 is the new, expandable/collapsible side bar. It’s right there on the left hand side of your home page – if you have it expanded. If you don’t see it, click on the left-hand margin to expand the sidebar. You can do that from any view or page in MLXChange now. When you expand your sidebar, you’ll have easy access to all of your resources: tutorial and help links, tools like MongoFax and MLX Wireless, personal links and Hotsheets, and MFRMLS links. When you’re done using it, click on the MY SIDEBAR border again, and it will tuck itself out of the way so that you have the full browser window for your listings and results.
MLXchange developers have gone through and made a lot of little changes that make the entire user experience easier. One for instance – there is now a “Show On Market Only” check box for the address and ML# search on the home page, so you don’t have to scroll through old expired and withdrawn listings.
The Email screen now has a nice rich text editor that lets you add some pizzazz to your mails. You can color, bold, highlight and change text size for your emails right in the editor so that your messages will always look exactly the way that you want them to look.
The Big Changes – The Search Screen
Your search screen is a whole lot friendlier. The new alternating grid lines coloring is easier on the eye and on the brain. There are a lot of little changes to the search screen that add up to a lot of convenience and time-saving. A quick overview of the changes includes:
- One of my favorites is the new MS Virtual Earth Mapping system! The integration of next generation mapping with search results includes street, aerial, hybrid aerial with street view and birds eye view maps.
- The new Locator tool lets you search for an address, MLS number, business, zip code or point of interest – right from the map.
- Search by… rectangle, polygon and circle tools are easier to use.
- Dropdown menu box lets you easily pull up your own templates or use system searches
- Alternating colors and better alignment of fields make it easier to view and work with the search screen
- New Date options in the Sold Date Field – you can easily find listings that sold in the last week, two weeks, month, three months, six months and more
- The footer menu lets you work with the criteria fields in searches easily without leaving the search screen. Add fields, remove fields, move them up or down on the screen – even hide or show the advanced search options easily and quickly.
- Most used actions items are now graphical buttons to make it easy for you to locate and use them. Save search, map results, check statistics, results and details – all with one click.
The Results Screen – More Big Changes!
The Results screen has another group of little changes that add up to far more ease in working with your results. Those changes include:
- reorder columns on your results page by dragging and dropping column headings. Rearrange just like that!
- The Status column is color coded to make it easier to identify properties by status.
- The List Price column now features icon indicators for price increases and decreases so that you can easily identify listings with changes.
- Want to see the map – without losing your place? Just click the Show Map button in the lower right of your screen and you’ll get the map in a split screen view for easy comparison and checking.
- Generate charts directly from the listings page with ease. There are a number of built-in options for the most used charts.
- The plan route tab lets you generate step-by-step driving directions right from the listings page populated with the addresses you select. You can easily use the default “My Office” as a starting point for your route – and save gas with the easiest, most direct route. You can also email them out to customers and colleagues with just one click.
- The printable maps are now better and brighter. They markers are bigger and easier to find, and you can now print the maps with info popups and images open.
A Few Small Things that Make Your Life Easier
It’s easier to save searches now, with all the options condensed to one page so you don’t have to click through to the second page.
The image viewer now displays all types of media and includes an automatic slide show to flip through all the photos associated with a listing.
Tips and Hints for Using MLXchange 4.0
Here’s a list of tips and helpful hints to help you get the most out of the new upgraded MLXchange 4.0.
Fix Pop-up Blockers
If you use pop-up blockers, you’ll need to set them to allow pop-ups from the MLXchange site or any feature that uses pop-ups won’t work.
Make Sure Your Listings are Plotted Right
The next generation maps and tools are among the hottest new features in MLX 4.0. If you’re listings are plotted properly, they can be searched via the new maps. Here’s how to make sure that your listings are set up right:
Note: You must have broker load or listing maintenance privileges to complete the following procedure.
1. From the homepage Inventory Watch section, click Active Listings
2. Hover over the info bubble and then Click the edit icon
3. Click the button labeled Map
4. Check to be sure the property is in the correct location. If it is, click “close”. Otherwise, click on the map in the right place.
5. Click “OK”
Use Internet Explorer
MLXchange works best with Internet Explorer. Avoid using AOL or MSN browsers, or you may have trouble with the features of MLXchange.
Minimum Screen Resolution
The minimum recommended screen resolution supported for MLXchange 4.0 is 1024x768. If you’ve been using 600x800, it’s no longer supported. You’ll need to change your screen resolution in order to view MXChange 4.0 properly.
Maximize Internet Explorer
There’s so much information available to you in the new Homepage that you really need to maximize your Internet Explorer window. Check it out at full screen by typing F11 to maximize and remove your browser menu. Hitting F11 again will restore your menu.
Use Service Pack 2.
If you’re running Windows XP, you’ll need to have Service Pack 2 installed. You can update your Windows XP by clicking on Tools > Windows Update in your Internet Explorer.
Client Status
The Status (Active, ActiveHot and Inactive) provides additional options on your contacts page. Make sure that the appropriate status is set in the client manager.
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Jim Hirschhorn
Now THAT is a blog!