The Toronto Real Estate Board has gone south of the border
to select its long‑awaited new MLS system partner.  Stratus Data Systems of White Plains, N.Y.
has been chosen to provide TREB's new system, based on the MLS system Stratus
currently supplies to the 14,000‑member Long Island Real Estate Board.

“The similar system, which was implemented in Long
Island in 1999, has never experienced any downtime,” TREB president David
Pearce said to members in a President's Message issued after the July 20
meeting of the board that gave the go‑ahead to Stratus. 

“Members who have seen the Long Island system are
particularly impressed with the mapping capability, which includes graphic
illustrations of the locations of listings, churches, schools, etc.  The system also includes automated search and
matching and email capability,” said Pearce in his message.

The Stratus system will require TREB members to have an
Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order to log on, which could mean an
additional $15 per month per member for the unlimited ISP service offered
through TREB.  The board is also offering
to arrange for the system's required browser, Internet Explorer, to be
accessible to members who currently use other browsers.

TREB hopes to have the first phase of the new Stratus system
awaiting its members on Christmas Day.