By integrating all the different aspects of Google Apps into Aspasia we are able to develop vastly improved methods of communicating with customers, prospects and suppliers. Moreover, many of these new communication methods are second nature to the younger generation brought up on the likes of Facebook, YouTube, etc.. The opportunities are endless and will in turn provide agencies with significantly higher perceived levels of service from their customers. Weak communication has often been the "achillies heel" of the industry and is what largely contributes to the poor public image of estate and lettings agents. Although we can't control every individual in the industry we can provide a mix of manual and automated communication channels to begin to break down this reputation. Methods being employed use tools such as Google Mail, Google Talk, Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Calendar, Google Blogs and so on.

One of the difficulties in communicating with customers and prospects via an agency web site is the need for compatibility across all the different browsers on any Internet connected device. The combination of Aspasia Cloud and the various Google applications for mobile devices overcome all these difficulties and ensure complete compatibility across all platforms. An additional benefit is the ability for agency staff to use appropriate aspects of Aspasia via an iPhone or similar mobile device. Of course it will also be possible to use Aspasia Cloud on any fully featured browser running on a PC, Mac, Netbook, Tablet or whatever else comes along.

There already exists a framework which consists of a central warehouse or repository through which data can be passed in any direction between all Aspasia user companies and/or third party suppliers. It is this framework which, for example, enables all the Rightmove leads to go straight into customer's Aspasia databases. Aspasia Cloud will see a significant expansion of this facility so, for example, we will create referral systems and commission sharing facilities between Aspasia agency customers and easy ways in which suppliers can integrate their services with Aspasia. As the number of third party concerns (like portals, etc.) wishing to integrate with Aspasia expands, it makes more sense to do this via a central repository rather than ad-hoc third party database linkages that previously existed.

The traditional manner of charging customers for agency services has remained largely unchanged over time and is considered by many to inflame the public sentiment towards agents. Moreover, the inflexibility of existing methods give rivals the opportunity to invent alternative, apparently more attractive or equitable charging mechanisms. Whilst traditional charging mechanisms can be continued if desired, Aspasia Cloud has the ability for agents to break their charges into discrete elements many of which can be totally automated. By adopting such an approach agencies can offer a much more flexible band or range of services and as such attract many customers currently frightened away by seemingly excessive or inflexible charges. Such an approach gives Aspasia Cloud customers the ability to choose the type of services appropriate for the markets in which they operate.

"While there has been some innovation in the market for estate agency services in recent years, most notably in relation to use of the internet for listing properties and for facilitating consumer research, there is still room for much more innovation in terms of contract types, menus of services provided and fees structures, as well as many areas where estate agents could facilitate innovation in dealing with process issues." (OFT report into Estate Agents Feb 2010)

The reduced level of requirement for hardware and IT services surrounding cloud computing is very significant and directly impacts on the profitability of companies using this architecture. The time consuming, complicated and expensive IT infrastructures associated with the world of desktop computing are now a thing of the past leaving agents free to capitalise on the provision of their own professional services associated with residential property.