I’m sure most everyone is already familiar with Top Producer. If not, it is basically THE tool for agents to manage their contacts, set up action plans, and anything else you would need to do on a day to day basis. For anyone who doesn’t know how it runs on a technical level, it uses a Java machine to transform Internet Explorer into a robust email client, database manager, scheduler and more all hosted on company servers. Working with agents, I have heard a lot of complaints about how it works, what it doesn’t do, and overall performance issues.
Now, along comes EurekaWare. This new software integrates itself into your copy of Microsoft Outlook 2003 to give it the kind of power that an agent needs. Most systems out there (including Top Producer) require you to relearn how to do everything. There is a different interface for every tool you have. EurekWare recognizes this so they decided to integrate their tool into Outlook, something that most business professionals are already very familiar with. Taken directly from the site, “You’ll be up and running in minutes allowing you to focus your time with your clients, not learning new technology.”
The Pros:
- Familiar Software – By adding functionality to a tool that most people are already familiar with, users will feel at home very quickly after installation.
- Local Install – Your database is now installed onto your personal machine, giving you access to your data when you are online and offline.
- Faster than Java applications – This tool is a plugin based system that adds functionality to your Outlook software. Top Producer runs everything through the a Java machine which is basically a middle man translating Java commands to commands your computer can undertake. This is a slow process, especially on Vista which is already system resource hungry.
- Cheaper – Lower cost with a software fee, not a monthly fee.
The Cons:
- Local Installation – Backups are now back in your hands. Make sure you know that.
- Dependant on Outlook 2003 – As far as I know, doesn’t work with the latest version of Office (2007). Not a big deal for some, but a deal breaker for others.
- No integration into websites – Top Producer integrates with Top Producer Websites to connect your listings and leads into one package. Nothing like that for Eureka.
Many agents who are fed up with Top Producer love EurekaWare. If that is you, give it a try and let me know what you think.
