Press Release
April 17, 2003
Retrieval Dynamics and EarthLink Announce Alliance to Offer Wireless Program For Real Estate Professionals
Marketing of mobile data solutions for document management / Launch planned at CeBIT
Sarasota, FL and Atlanta, GA - Retrieval Dynamics Corporation (RDC) and EarthLink, Inc. today announced a new bundled wireless program designed exclusively for real estate agents and brokers across the U.S.
The program combines BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™ from Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM) with EarthLink Wireless service and real estate-specific business solutions, including RDC's Mobile Listing Advantage application, which provides handheld wireless access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS)(R) properties.
"By teaming with Retrieval Dynamics, we can offer real estate agents and brokers a truly unique bundle of wireless products and services to maximize their competitive advantage," said Brent Cobb, vice president of EarthLink Wireless. "A significant component of our wireless strategy is to establish relationships with leading companies in specific vertical industries, such as real estate, who can provide their end-users with vertical-specific productivity applications out of the box. Partnering with industry leaders, such as Retrieval Dynamics Corporation, will enable EarthLink to penetrate the highly sought after mobile professional market and reinforce EarthLink's position as a leading wireless business solution provider."
RDC, through its Mobile Listing Advantage program, enables real estate professionals to access MLS listings anytime, anywhere and has set the standard in creating bundled programs for specific vertical markets, specifically real estate. EarthLink brings its strong brand, product expertise, network services, and award-winning customer service capabilities to this product offering. For the agent and broker, this agreement creates a one-stop shopping experience that leads directly to greater productivity and customer responsiveness.
Retrieval Dynamics and EarthLink launched their alliance at the recent 30th Anniversary RE/MAX International Convention in Las Vegas, attended by more than 8,000 RE/MAX agents and brokers. Retrieval Dynamics is the Approved Supplier for the Mobile Advantages For RE/MAX program that provides RE/MAX associates with a variety of "best of breed" bundled wireless solutions for real estate, including Mobile Listing Advantage.
"RE/MAX has become a global real estate franchise network by leading the industry with experienced, knowledgeable, service-oriented associates," said Bruce Benham, RE/MAX senior vice president and chief technology officer. "We are dedicated to providing our associates with innovative solutions like the Mobile Advantages Program that increase productivity and improve customer service anywhere at anytime."
"The RDC/EarthLink alliance maximizes each company's strengths and areas of expertise to the real estate professional's benefit," said John Harkola, chief executive officer of Retrieval Dynamics. "EarthLink strengthens the depth of our program through its extensive sales and support network for enhanced speed to market. By teaming a wireless carrier that delivers a strong brand, backed by proven technological and customer service expertise, with a wireless program developer that is focused not just on real estate but the enterprise market overall, we are doing more than offering a convenient and affordable solution. We are breaking new ground in the wireless industry in enlisting key value-added integrators to support our market-specific programs."
Retrieval Dynamics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of RDC International, is a program developer offering wireless and wireless Internet- enabled applications and business productivity solutions to maximize the communications potential of wireless data and information connectivity.
For more information about Retrieval's wireless solutions, go to www.retrievaldynamics.com.
EarthLink is the Internet service provider (ISP) solution for an impatient world. Headquartered in Atlanta, EarthLink has earned a national reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. According to J.D. Power and Associates, EarthLink is ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Dial-up ISPs and tied in the ranking for Highest Customer Satisfaction Among High-Speed ISPs. Serving approximately five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features.
Learn more about EarthLink by visiting Earth Link's Web site at www.earthlink.net.
Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data.
For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
The RE/MAX franchise network, celebrating 30 years of consecutive growth, is a global real estate system operating in 43 countries. More than 4,400 independently owned offices engage over 80,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, relocation, and asset management.
For more information, visit www.remax.com.
