A Filing System That’s Up in the Air

For years, technology experts have talked about  how “cloud computing” will transform our ability to access files on our computers, tablets, and smartphones. For real estate practitioners on the go, the ability to retrieve documents anywhere seems like a professional game-changer. But where is this cloud and how can you access it? “The cloud is complex ­because its true implications for business have not been presented,” says Mark Lesswing, chief technology officer and senior vice president for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Apple’s iCloud system debuted in the fall of 2011.
Observers say it can bring the same ease of use to document storage that iPods brought to the music world. And its features expand on other existing cloud services like Dropbox that can host documents and images. Here we explain the key features of the cloud and its advantages for real estate practitioners.

What is the Cloud?

Essentially the cloud is an online storage system where, instead of saving your documents, pictures, and even your music files to your desktop or iPad, you store them online. Cloud applications are also available on social networking sites such as Facebook, which allows you to upload your photos and save them on Web-based servers that make them accessible to friends and other users. iTunes now comes with a cloud component that automatically saves your purchases online, which means you don’t have to back up your music files on a hard drive.

Google Docs is another example of a cloud service that enables you to save ­material on a Web-based server and provides an effective way for ­people to share and edit documents.

How iCloud Can Boost Your Real Estate Game

Apple’s iCloud system has several practical applications for real estate professionals:

- Share the work on marketing materials. After you take listing photos and upload them to iCloud, someone else in the office can download them immediately to include in a brochure.

- Keep your documents current. You can get into trouble if you’re not working on the latest version of a sales contract or other document. iCloud’s Document Sync function allows you to access the right documents from your laptop, iPad, or smartphone. In addition, you can set user permissions to allow other users to access these documents.

- Upload listing presentations. Using the AirPlay application, you can save your listing pre­sentations and show them on an iPad or on any television connected to an Apple TV.

Another iCloud service protects you in case you lose your iPhone or iPad. Install the free app called Find My iPhone on either your tablet or smartphone. Then, if your device is missing, log into your iCloud service from your desktop or laptop, and it provides the location of the lost item. To use iCloud, Mac users must have the latest operating systems, iOS 5 and Mac OS X Lion, on their iPhone, iPad, and computers. The company provides 5 GB of storage free of charge. Larger storage packages start at $20 a year for 15 GB. Don’t have a Mac? The iCloud service is also compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7 PCs.