Advanced SSO Technology Enables RealTown.com and Point2 NLS Members
to Login Just Once and Create a “Personalized Virtual Network”
Saskatoon, SK and San Diego, CA – April 25, 2007
– Point2 Technologies Inc. (“Point2”) and InternetCrusade’s RealTown
(“IC”) today introduced Single Sign On, a web authentication initiative
that will enable members of Point2 NLS (Point2 National Listing
Service) and RealTown.com to access or sign up to either system
directly from their respective Online Office, using their existing
credentials, identity and pass codes.
SSO has been effectively integrated and is now
live on both platforms. Simply stated, SSO allows entry into two or
more systems or databases using one password.
“The concept of SSO can be applied across many
industries,” said Saul Klein, President of InternetCrusade’s
RealTown.com Internet portal. “Think about ATM cash withdrawals. Your
identity is established by an ATM card and a password. Once your
identity is established, you are provided convenient service
irrespective of where you choose to withdraw funds. A person with a
Wells Fargo account can withdraw funds from a Bank of America ATM,
using their Wells Fargo ATM card and their Wells Fargo password. The
concept is enabled through the ‘trust’ and processes the financial
institutions have established between each other that guarantee both
parties accurately identify the person requesting the withdrawal.”
“There are many situations in the real estate
industry where Single Sign On will be of benefit to real estate
professionals,” Klein continued. “InternetCrusade’s RealTown is excited
to partner with Point2 and to be among the first to bring the concept
of SSO to real estate. Over the next few years, SSO will be the subject
of much discussion and application in the industry, as the benefits and
advantages of the technology become more apparent, adopted and
implemented by trusted partners across the sector.”
“Effective immediately, Point2 and RealTown
customers will have the advantage of experiencing the benefits of SSO,
with ease, providing convenience and speed to their daily online tasks.
Imagine being able to access all your online options and applications
from a single point of entry. RealTown members have now, for example,
gained the ability to create free world-class websites as well as
access to upload listings for syndication and advertising, through
Point2 NLS, using the same online ID,” Klein said. “This will be even
more of a benefit for those using wireless technology as they can make
changes while in the field through a single interface.”
RealTown.com is the Internet portal that features
everything real estate. The community is one of the oldest and most
respected in the real estate industry and the leader in community
created content with more than 50,000 opt-in subscribers. It is the
home to RealTalk and other online communities that have recorded nearly
one million posts made over the past decade plus. It is the number one
source for real estate related information from experienced real estate
professionals.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with
InternetCrusade’s RealTown.com portal to bring the benefits of SSO to
give both our communities easier, more convenient access to the
critical knowledge and technology they rely on for their business,”
said Brendan King, chief operating officer, Point2 Technologies. “SSO
will undoubtedly become increasingly relevant and important in real
estate, and we’re very excited that Point2 NLS members will be among
the early adopters to apply and benefit from the technology.
“RealTown provides its members with access to an
unparalleled real estate knowledge base and support. Now with Single
Sign On to Point2 NLS, brokers and agents on RealTown.com will also
have direct, free access to Point2 NLS, a solution that is giving to
tens of thousands of real estate professionals the ability to regain
complete control of their listing assets – and with that, their
future,” concluded King.
The collaboration between Point2 and
InternetCrusade will now also bring to Point2 NLS members a free
real-time RSS feed containing custom content from RealTown’s numerous
communities and RealTown Blogs, with additional features being added
each week.
Exclusive to licensed real estate professionals,
Point2 NLS is a free cooperative marketing and advertising platform
that allows real estate brokers, agents, builders and property managers
to repurpose their listing content for all key marketing tasks,
including listing syndication, advertising, website and blog. Point2
NLS also incorporates advanced lead incubation technology, which
provides users with the most scientific approach available today, for
managing and monetizing both web-based and traditional real estate
leads. Point2 NLS is the world’s most widely used real estate marketing
platform and currently boasts over 123,000 members in 85 countries,
with more than 1,000 new members joining each week. More information
can be obtained at www.Point2NLS.com.
About InternetCrusade®
InternetCrusade®
is a San Diego-based company that was founded in 1995. Specializing in
online publishing, InternetCrusade provides tools and systems for real
estate professionals including domains, domain hosting, e-mail systems
and hosting, online communities, blogs, online voting and surveys. The
firm is the exclusive provider of the National Association of REALTORS’
e-PRO® certification course and a member of the NAR REALTOR Benefits
Program. InternetCrusade’s principals have more than 100 years of
combined real estate industry experience. The RealTown.com portal is
the embodiment of a vision created more than a decade ago, a real
estate portal with concentration on Content, Context, Collaboration and
Community.
About Point2 Technologies Inc.
Point2 Technologies provides online marketing and eBusiness software
solutions for the real estate and heavy equipment industries.
Leveraging Point2 proprietary and patented technology, Point2 develops
and markets software solutions that enable organizations to conduct
business over the Internet more easily and more profitably. The company
is the largest provider of online marketing and lead management
software for real estate professionals, with over 123,000 brokers and
agents subscribing to Point2 NLS, in 85 countries. Point2 is also one
of the largest providers of e-commerce solutions to the heavy equipment
industry, powers Caterpillar Inc.’s global heavy equipment dealer
network and owns and operates UsedIron.com, one of the largest used
equipment venues online.
Founded in 1996, Point2 Technologies is privately
held and employs a staff of 100 at its headquarters in Saskatoon, SK
and its Vancouver, BC offices. More information can be obtained at www.Point2.com.
Point2® is a trademark of Point2 Technologies
Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the
respective companies with which they are associated. InternetCrusade®
and RealTownTM are trademarks of the Real Estate Electronic Publishing
Company.
Media contacts:
InternetCrusade®
Rich Hudson
Director of PR/Marketing
Tel: 619-283-7302 Ext. 602
Rich@InternetCrusade.com
Point2 Technologies Inc.
Roger Noujeim
Public Relations Director
Toll Free: 1-888-955-7900 Ext. 224 (U.S. and Canada)
Tel: 1-604-675-9393 Ext. 224
rnoujeim@point2.com