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Daily Real Estate News | May 13, 2005 | Attendees Treated to Technology Updates, Advice The Center for REALTOR® Technology expects to release in June an alpha version of ezRETS, a database driver that lets users easily flow MLS data into applications such as Excel and Word. Keith Garner, strategic architect at CRT, told attendees of the Business Technology & Information Systems Forum on Thursday that the ezRETS driver, available at no charge to REALTORS®, will simplify the task of creating comparative market analyses, brochures, neighborhood trend reports, and listing sites. “This eliminates a lot of manual functions like cutting and pasting,” Garner said. CRT is a division of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® that provides advocacy, implementation, and information on technology to the real estate industry. The forum took place during the 2005 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, being held May 9-14 in Washington, D.C. Also speaking at the forum was Berlene Herren, a security assessment expert at Hewlett-Packard Co., who warned attendees to remain vigilant in their fight against computer intrusions such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. “Security is not a product, it’s a process,” she said, adding that wireless users must go one step farther in protecting their computers and networks. “You not only need to secure your PCs, you need to secure your airwaves.” Josh Sharfman, chief technology officer of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and CEO of Real Estate Business Technologies LLC, told forum attendees about RELAY, a new REALTOR®-centric transaction management system. An early adopter version of RELAY will be released later this month with general availability expected in July. —Chuck Paustian, REALTOR® Magazine Online