Here's what Wikipedia has for a definition of "cloud computing:" computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. To simplify, we use online solutions instead of onboard software to run our business. We log in to servers on the Internet to do what we are used to doing on our own computer or our in-house network.

So, how are we going to use cloud computing to manage and market our real estate brokerage?

Why should we even care? Here's a partial list of things we can do in this new virtual environment:

• Maintain a lot less office floor space with agents operating remotely
• Cut operating costs with online document and communication services
• Reduce reliance on office staff in pure overhead support functions
• Better serve our clients by using the latest available technology
• Enhance our marketing, get more leads, and increase brokerage income and profit

In this article by James Kimmons, Real Estate Business Expert, he shares resources with you to help you to adopt a cloud brokerage approach to your business. You'll get links to resources that provide online services, as well as basic instructions in how and why to use them. Keep reading, and I believe you'll be amazed at what you can now do without more staff, less office space, and generally lower overhead. Meet with your decision makers and those who will be impacted and get their buy-in.

If you view the process of moving your brokerage operations to a virtual online presence as a major process that requires a complete and immediate transition, then you'll probably not want to take it on. You can certainly do it quickly and completely, but it's not necessary. You can move through the process in an orderly way, with very little business disruption along the way. I believe that the ultimate result should be an almost "office independent" structure, but you can also stop at any point that you believe is right for your company.

Here's my view of the complete and effective Cloud Brokerage:

By James Kimmons, Real Estate Business Expert
Source: http://realestate.about.com/od/brokerofficemanagement/ss/cloud_broker.htm