BUYER'S GUIDE: PDA Software
Palm or Pocket PC?
Where to find PDA programs
Software to fit your needs
Cool tools
BY MICHAEL ANTONIAK
Powerful add-ons
Right off the rack, a personal digital assistant is a great tool for communicating with and tracking customers. But the real power of a PDA is in the add-on software. PDA programs can transform your palmtop into a highly specialized tool for real estate.
When you buy a handheld device, there are actually three realms of software to consider. First, there’s the selection included with the hardware. Both Palm and Pocket PC devices come with basic productivity programs: calculator, handwriting recognition, electronic address book and calendar, and sync software for transferring information between the handheld and your PC.
Pocket PCs also include compact versions of popular Windows applications such as Outlook, Explorer, and Word that mimic the full versions’ features and performance. Palm users might find their PDA installed with Avanti’s Documents To Go for working with text documents or Palm’s VersaMail for e-mail. You might also get applications for Web browsing or wireless access.
Next, look at the software you’re using for your desktop or laptop computer. You’ll very likely want access to some of the same resources on both systems, especially sensitive client and schedule information. Fortunately, both generic contact management software, such as ACT!, and real estate applications, such as Top Producer and OnlineAgent, can share some data with handhelds, especially PDAs based on the Palm OS.
Finally, there’s the growing selection of programs created specifically for the PDA. Some applications, such as Landware’s PocketQuicken or Top Producer for the Palm, bring the features of desktop software to the handheld.
And specialized add-on programs maximize the advantages of carrying a PDA. For instance, a basic calculator is included with your PDA, but it’s likely you’ll be better served with PDA software that allows you to do “what if” financial analyses. Pocket Real Estate’s applications give PDA users quick access to MLS information; opt for the wireless service and you can retrieve the latest listing information. When you need directions to a showing, add-on Mapopolis will help you get there in a hurry.
Speaking of quick results, PDA software will help you make more productive use of your time away from the office with a solution that requires almost no space or boot-up time.
Palm or Pocket PC?
Should software dictate your choice of PDA? Could be.
Those who value access without excess may be best served with always-on options such as T-Mobile’s Sidekick or any of the Blackberry handhelds from Research in Motion. These are wireless communications devices first and foremost, allowing you to send and receive data, e-mail, and even phone calls (depending on the model). Beyond their contact management and calendar functions, however, there’s currently little software available to add.
If software selection is important to you, the choice is clearly the family of PDAs and smart phones (November 2002, page 56) based on the Palm OS. You can easily and affordably enhance your PDA’s performance with thousands of software titles, including many developed by and for real estate professionals.
If a miniature computer is what you need, one of the Pocket PC PDAs from vendors such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard may be in order. They haven’t attracted anything near the level of third-party software support enjoyed by Palm devices, but the selection is steadily growing. And, along with faster processors and more memory, Pocket PCs come bundled with special versions of Windows applications you’re already likely to be using.
Whichever platform you choose, watch for operating system upgrades. New versions can improve performance and add capabilities.
Where to find PDA programs
There are hundreds of software applications for PDAs. The best place to begin your search for software options is with the Web sites listed here.
Both Palm (software.palm.com) and Microsoft’s Pocket PC (www.pocketpc.com) provide links for and information on a range of software and accessories.
For Palm enthusiasts, one of the best resources for finding Palm software is PalmGear (www.palmgear.com). Search its catalog by keywords, such as “real estate.” Results can be ranked by the number of downloads—what’s popular is often your best bet. For each software title, you’ll find a brief description of features, information on the publisher and its Web site, and comments posted by users.
PocketGear (www.pocketgear.com) is a similar site devoted to the growing collection of Pocket PC hardware, software, and accessories. You can check out the catalog of software available for purchase and download, and catch up on the latest news about the platform.
Both Handango (www.handango.com) and PDAStreet (www.pdastreet.com) take a much broader approach, devoted to the entire universe of PDA and handheld platforms. Handango carries a variety of software for all PDAs, including those just emerging or with a limited user base. PDA Street provides a clearinghouse of information and resources, with software downloads, user forums, links to retailers, and news.
Bear in mind that many software titles for PDAs—especially those developed for the Palm OS—are inexpensive programs developed by small companies and individuals with limited tech support. As a general rule, the more popular a title, the more likely it’s been field tested and proven. Before you download any software, learn all you can from users and reviewers.
Software to fit your needs
Mapopolis $14.95
Mapopolis.com Inc., www.mapopolis.com, 216/835-9070
For Palm and Pocket PC. Requires annual subscription for MapPack map sets, starting at $14.95. Free application for viewing map sets on PDA. Atlas and navigation software provides instant access to directions. Maps scroll on PDA as user drags stylus. Zoom to 16X, with option to show more or less detail. Search function finds locations
by nearby landmarks, addresses, or street names. Provides detailed point-to-point driving instructions on a Palm, spoken directions on a Pocket PC.
Canale Calc $19 for basic program
The Competitive Edge, www.canale.com, 734/481-9000
For Palm. Real estate financial calculator developed by real estate professional and technology consultant Stephen Canale. Performs variety of standard calculations used in real estate including principal and interest payments based on amount and length of loan and interest rate. Breaks down total monthly payments for all fees and calculates amortization for any period of time. Customized version for promotional distribution available.
SplashPhoto 3.5 $19.95
SplashData, www.splashdata.com, 206/780-9184
For Palm. Palm OS-based application displays color or grayscale, low- or high-resolution JPEG images, depending on capabilities of device. Includes SplashPhoto Desktop for organizing and transferring images between Windows or Mac and PDA. Creates thumbnails of images for quick display and browsing. Lets users edit images and add notes on PDA. Beam images to compatible PDAs.
Loan Pro 3.2 $19.99
Infinity Softworks, www.infinitysw.com, 503/690-3134
For Palm. Specialized software for loan calculation and analysis. Supports all types of loan calculations. Built-in loan database compares different loan structures and options. Performs mortgage analysis to show how factors such as downpayment, monthly payment, and interest rate affect payments, closing costs, and length of mortgage.
Pocket Quicken $39.95
Landware, www.landware.com, 800/526-3977
For Palm and Pocket PC. Mobile companion to desktop version of Quicken provides access to financial records and ability to track financial activities. Includes Quicken QuickFill and Memorized Transaction features for simplified record keeping: Memory remembers items commonly inserted. Easy data synchronization and updating of records between handheld and PC or Mac.
PowerOne Finance $59.99
Infinity Softworks, www.infinitysw.com, 503/690-3134
For Palm and Pocket PC. Software with calculation and analysis features comparable to HP and Texas Instruments financial calculators. Includes screen templates for complex financial calculations and analysis with “what-if” scenarios. More than 100 templates available, including a real estate set for amortization, loans, and mortgages. Exports data to other applications. Software option to synchronize data with information stored on a primary PC system.
Top Producer for Palm 2.0 $149
Top Producer Systems, www.topproducer.com, 800/444-8570
For Palm. Handheld version of popular real estate productivity software works as a stand–alone application or as a mobile extension of Top Producer 6i on desktop PC. Includes modules for contact records, to-do list, lead and task management, appointment book, and scheduler. Lets user browse images, enter data, and update records using screen keypad or stylus.
Pocket Real Estate $199
Pocket Real Estate, www.pocketrealestate.com, 510/580-9870
For Palm and Pocket PC. Software for immediate access to MLS data on a handheld, where available. With standard version, MLS data is downloaded onto handheld; wireless option gives real-time access to latest MLS data over wireless PDAs. Offers built-in calculators for mortgage, loan, home equity, and rent vs. own analyses. Retrieve MLS records using a variety of search criteria. Store salesperson and office contact information as part of property information. Perform market analyses based on range of factors. Store prospect and client criteria for searches.
Pocket Total 3.0 $245
A La Mode Inc., www.alamode.com, 800/252-6633
For Pocket PC. Appraisal solution extends features, functions of company’s WinTOTAL appraisal software to Pocket PCs. PowerView reformats appraiser’s desktop PC forms for PDAs. WinTOTAL users can load partially completed forms into PDA for completion on site, then synchronize data between PDA and PC. Software supports inclusion of digital images in reports. Lets users record spoken notes as part of field report. Offers sketching capabilities, including Pocket Apex floor plan tool. Supports XML data transfer for exporting report content to compatible software.
Prices are the manufacturers’ suggested retail prices and are subject to change. This list isn’t comprehensive; NAR doesn’t evaluate or endorse these products and isn’t responsible for changes in company info.
