Converting Microsoft Word documents into web pages!
Many agents create their property particulars using Microsoft WORD instead of entering full descriptions into their Estate Agency software database. (Often, only a short description is added to the database). This creates a problem if full particulars are required on the website however we have written software that will convert Word documents into a web-friendly format (HTML) then upload this data to the website.
Due to the fact that every agent uses a different layout for their property particulars we have to carefully configure the software for each agent so that it takes account of their particular layout. This configuration usually takes about 2 hours programming time but once it is set up it is a God-send!
We call this process “Word Extraction” and the software we use was written in-house and is unique to Technicweb.
Floorplans
Floorplans come in various formats but the most common is JPEG which works nicely when floor plans are displayed on the website. (We convert them into PDF format as it can be zoomed and panned (moved around) very easily and is much more accommodating with unusual shaped properties (e.g. long and thin Victorian terraced properties).
Our BRIDGE software can be configured to convert your floorplans and upload them to your website in the correct PDF format.
Virtual Tours
Many clients like to present Virtual Tours of properties on their websites. We can work with virtually every type of virtual tours but recommend the following systems: -
- Smart Panorama
- Apple Quicktime
- PanPics
- SurroundVideo
Some systems store the virtual tours on your local server whilst others host them for you on web servers. We can adapt to either method.
Controlling data once it’s been uploaded to your website
We now provide a ‘back door’ into your web server so you can view the full list of properties that have been uploaded by the BRIDGE system. Many agents like to control which properties are ‘featured’ on their website (e.g. Home of the week etc.) and this ‘back door’ access provides this functionality and a lot more besides!
EstateWeb Content Management System (CMS)
Today’s website is all about giving you control. As well as being able to view the properties that have been uploaded to your website we provide you with a full content management system (EstateWeb© CMS) that enables you to change all the other pages on your website too, without incurring development fees.
EstateWeb Bridge
Extracting data and photos from your local Estate Agency software and sending it to your website
If you run your business using any of the major Estate Agency software package (see list of supported packages below*), the process of updating your website can be fully automated using our EstateWeb© Web BRIDGE Synchronization Software which is unique to Technicweb.
EstateWeb© BRIDGE is software that we install on your local branch ‘server’ and its purpose is to monitor your database activity minute by minute, looking for changes. As soon as any change is detected (e.g. price, description, photo, property withdrawn, new instruction, anything!) the changed data is uploaded to your website automatically.
No manual intervention is required on your part – the process is entirely automatic. This means that updates are never forgotten and no staff time is taken up dealing with the website.
How is EstateWeb Bridge Installed?
EstateWeb© BRIDGE is installed by our technical team ‘remotely’ – this means we ‘dial in’ to your office server using remote access software (like PC Anywhere or VNC) and install the software on line. We then configure the software specifically to your situation and go through various testing processes. Once testing is complete, the software is then ready to power your website.
Currently supported Estate Agency Software
The EstateWeb© BRIDGE currently works with the following Estate Agency software packages: -
- ASPASIA
- ALCIUM (COMMERCIAL)
- AQUARIUS
- CFP COMMERCIAL
- CFP WINESTATE
- CFP WINMAN
- DEZREZ
- DOMUS
- ENCORE 32
- ENCORELIVE
- EUROLINK
- EUROLINK VECO
- EUROLINK FOR WEB
- EXPERT AGENT
- FAP (FINDAPROPERTY)
- FOCUS
- GEMINI
- GMW SYSTEM4W
- GMW M2
- PCHOMES
- PORTFOLIO
- PREVIEW
- PROPERTYPRO
- REAPIT
- REAPITLET
- RENTMAN
- UNIVERSAL SALES
- VEBRA ESTATECRAFT
- VEBRA PREMISE
- VEBRA SOLEX
EstateWeb© Bridge Photo Management
Most software applications store your digital photos in separate folders on your server. EstateWeb© BRIDGE also monitors these folders looking for new or additional photos. Again any changes are immediately uploaded to the website. The BRIDGE also resizes all your images before they are uploaded to the website so you do not have this burden.