However, John Robbins of Carpenter/Robbins Commercial Real Estate in San Ramon, CA, (SF Bay Area) writes that his company does actively exchange information using an ARES/ACT database of 10,000 contacts. "THIS IS A CULTURE ISSUE! ... The software you mentioned sounds like an expensive management spy game, not empowering the brokers to look smarter in front of their clients, which is what the shared data-base does for us. I think the real issue is Can the culture of traditional brokerage companies change? And, if they do, will it mean less or more service for the customer?"

David Duble with Cushman & Wakefield in San Francisco writes, "The scenario you laid out in the first paragraph is a dream. ... The various services comprising the real estate industry don't want to be collaborative. For better or for worse, no software program in the world will overcome the competitive nature of real estate."

David Johnson with Prudential Jordan Hart Commercial Services in Columbus, GA, writes that sharing data depends on a number of considerations. "Will it benefit my client (or just the broker)? What are the long-term implications? ... Who manages the relationship? ... The qualities that make a successful broker can easily clash with the qualities that make a good team player. How do you balance the two?"

--Peter Pike