New Products to Help Real Estate Agents Using BlackBerry Smart Phones Improve Productivity
GE Security’s Supra Announces December Availability of BlackBerry-Compatible eKey
All-in-One Access to Listings, Showing Alerts and Market Intelligence
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GE Security Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions (NYSE:GE), today announced availability of a new version of its wireless eKEY that will enable full lockbox functionality for BlackBerry® smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM) (TSX:RIM). The eKEY Basic version is expected to be available for BlackBerry by mid-December 2008. eKEY Professional is expected to be launched in spring 2009.
Both eKEY Basic and eKEY Professional editions will allow real estate agents to access, manage and search listed properties using BlackBerry smart phones and can help them save time and increase productivity in today’s ultra competitive market.
“The device works great right out of the box and is very easy to set up and use immediately. It is incredibly stable, reliable and convenient,” said beta tester, Padraic Ansbro, a REALTOR® with Keller Williams in Portland, Oregon. “All the other alternatives are larger and bulkier to use. Before switching, I was so bogged down with gadgets that it was like wearing Batman’s utility belt. Simpler is definitely better.”
“We are excited about the new BlackBerry eKEY solution. We know that many of our customers are BlackBerry users and this is a great way to help them further increase productivity,” said Ron Virden, general manager, GE Security’s key control business. “Mobile technology is a very important tool in today’s challenging marketplace and the BlackBerry eKEY can provide real estate professionals with a distinct competitive advantage.”
eKEY Basic allows agents to open lockboxes, receive real-time showing notifications and view showing reports using their GE Security Supra-certified BlackBerry smart phones.
Three popular Blackberry smartphones will initially be certified by GE Security as compatible with its eKey for Blackberry solution. These include the Blackberry Curve™, Blackberry Pearl™ and Blackberry 8800. Additional smartphones scheduled for release will be tested for certification by GE Security. For up to date information on eKey-compatible smartphones, visit http://www.supraekey.com and click on “Certified eKey Devices.”
eKEY Professional provides the ability to search Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data and view a complete range of searchable criteria. New features in eKEY Professional provide access to updated MLS listings, agent roster information, real-time showing reports, customizable searches which can be saved to the phone, mapping and other Web-based competitive intelligence.
For more information, please visit http://www.supraekey.com.
About GE’s Security Business
GE Security, Inc., a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 35 countries and $1.8 billion in annual sales. GE Security offers one of the industry’s broadest product portfolios, including access control, explosives and narcotics detection, fire detection, intrusion, key management and video surveillance. GE Security’s products are used to protect people and property across a wide range of industries, including aviation, banking and finance, education, government and military, healthcare, law enforcement, residential, retail, stadiums and event venues, and transportation.
GE Security was honored with Frost & Sullivan’s 2008 North American Video Surveillance Solutions Company of the Year Award for its industry leading video portfolio and integration strategy vision and execution. For more information about GE Security, please visit http://www.gesecurity.com.
GE Security, making the world safer.