RISMEDIA, March 26, 2008-Fidelity National Financial, Inc., a provider of products, services and technology solutions to the financial and real estate industries, has announced that free training for Paragon 4 MLS, the Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions (FNRES) platform used on many U.S. Multiple Listings Services, is now available through Fidelity National University, an online education and training service for real estate professionals located at fidelitynationalu.com.
According to Fidelity National University President Timothy Brannan, an introductory Paragon 4 Essentials course is available at no charge to anyone, whether or not they are enrolled in Fidelity National U. For further understanding, an Advanced Course is available as part of the program’s annual subscription fee. Both modules include video simulations, printable walkthrough guides and self-assessment.
“FNRES is committed to the well-being of the real estate professional,” said Brannan in making the announcement. “We are creating advanced technology tools to give agents and brokers an edge in business development and generating sales. Much of the MLS industry is now powered by the Paragon platform. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to take full advantage of its extensive capabilities.”
Paragon 4 Essentials, says the company, focuses on basic concepts and functions presented in the Paragon 4 system, such as Set Up, Property Searches, Views and Reports, Listing Distributions and Input Maintenance. Paragon 4 Advanced opens up the full functionality of the powerful platform with training in User Preferences, Managing Contacts and Managing CMAs. Access to this module is available as part of a single $99/year subscription.
“The greatest value of online education,” Dr. Brannan said, “is allowing the working professional to deepen his or her skills and understanding with minimum impact on their schedules. Classes are available 24/7 and individual sessions can be whatever length of time suits the student. Because they can be accessed from any computer, classes are ‘held’ at the hour and in the environment that a person finds most conducive to learning – whether that is the office, the home or wherever. Agents no longer have to drive to tech training sessions across town.”
Those who enroll in Fidelity National University have instant access to a wide array of online real estate classes grouped into three categories: sales and professional development classes, technology training and personal safety awareness. “Sales Training” includes productivity enhancement tools in prospecting techniques, approaching FSBO listings, effective listing presentations, improving use of technology on sales calls, holding open houses, and presentation and negotiation skills. “Technology Skills and Tools” includes computer systems, USB (Universal Serial Bus) Drives, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Podcasting, Microsoft Office Tools – including Word and PowerPoint, digital photography, contact management tools and mapping technologies. “Personal Safety,” overlooked in many online programs, includes physical safety while on calls, at listing presentations and at open houses, as well as cyber-protection against identity theft and cyber intrusion.
Drawing on decades as an information powerhouse, not only in the real estate industry but in the related fields of lending, title, insurance and technology, Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions (FNRES) launched Fidelity National University in 2007 in partnership with Michigan-based Instructional Technology Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.), a corporation that provides customized online training for associations and corporations, as well as students in grades K-12 and college.
Already embraced across the real estate spectrum, online education is finding acceptance beyond agents looking for convenient ways to meet their next continuing education requirement. Brokers are increasingly using the service for incoming agents who are best trained where the office machines and association software are the same that they will use for their clients. Local boards and associations can establish their own on-line professional development programs and states and Multiple Listing Services benefit from a delivery system that can update online instructional materials within days rather than the months or years it takes to re-publish textbooks.
“Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions brings a breadth of real-world information and access to the latest technologies as they are introduced,” said Beverly Faull, “This is a unique opportunity for real estate professionals to benefit from the industry’s most comprehensive repository of practical information, delivered via state-of-the-art technology that is administered by a leader in online education.”
For more information, visit www.fidelitynationalu.com.
