During my hour long conversation with the Owner/CEO of a Major BPO Mill last week, I learned some very important information and perspectives that I want to share with you.

As you may be aware BPO Auto-Accept software has been available and used heavily in the BPO & REO industry in last few years by thousands of BPO & REO professionals all over the United States. The areas hit hardest by people deciding to use the software are within the states of: California, Florida and Nevada, to name but a few. You can probably venture a guess that these areas offer the most volume of work, and the amount of people that are doing BPO & REO related work is staggering, thus competition for BPO work is fierce.

As a front-runner and pioneer in this software, I can say first-hand that there is lots of controversy, speculation, myths and rumors surrounding BPO Auto-Accept software. Many assume that every company will ‘blacklist’ you if you use it or that they will plain fire you. This is partially true for some companies, but the crazy reality is that like almost everything in life, there are always loop-holes These same companies that supposedly ‘blacklist’ and ‘fire’ EVERY agents and brokers who uses BPO Auto-Accept software in realtiry also choose to look the other way for many of their vendors that use the software too.

How is that possible you ask? Well, my perspective on this comes from first-hand experience of seeing this happen to some of our clients that use our Order Central and legacy AutoAccepter2 software. You can see proof in our ‘Statistics’ tab that is located within the software. Plus, I feel strongly that these companies have a certain criteria or guidelines surrounding how they apply their policies against people using the software, but keep in mind that exceptions to the rules always exist. I know of many agents and brokers in the business who work for these same controversial companies and they are being successful with our Order Central Auto-Accept software.

I suspect that if a BPO agent or broker is working for a company that has a history or policies of enforcing punishment for people that use BPO Auto-Accept software, that they will look the other way when a vendor has: a high vendor rating, a long track record of performance and high quality work, a history of not missing deadlines or asking that orders be reassigned and as such these companies look the other way. I’ve heard personal stories from clients of how company reps would call one of their agents or brokers that they suspect is using BPO Auto-Accept software and tell them, “I am supposed to fire you, but…..”

When it comes down to it at the end of the day, I feel that BPO Auto-Accept software wouldn’t be so controversial if companies were set up correctly in how they assign orders and instead of broadcast orders to the masses, like throwing out meat to a hungry pack of wolves, they instead take care of their vendors by assigning orders directly to them based on ‘rank and rating.’

A few select, top BPO mills do just this beautifully and with much success because they have automated systems to help them with this task, but it’s the smaller companies that typically aren’t prepared or armed with the right systems like the top BPO mills have.

All of this leads me to mention the real reason why some BPO mills don’t like BPO Auto-Accept software. From my experience and from the wonderful conversation I shared with the Owner of a Top BPO mill, he mentioned that they don’t have a problem with BPO Auto-Accept software per se, but their clients definitely do. The BPO Mill doesn’t want to rock the boat or lose business by making their client angry, thus they enforce policies against people using the software. Keep in mind that not only are BPO & REO agents and brokers feeling the wrath of increasingly more QC requirements and strict policies and receiving lower and lower fees to do BPO work, but BPO Mills are also seen as a ‘dime a dozen.’ They feel the pressure just as much as we do, but it starts at the top and always trickles downhill. This is one of the real reasons why many companies have an issue with the software.

Another important item to note as taken from my conversation with the BPO mill executive was how BPO Auto-Accept software slows down their servers and if they didn’t have the setup that they had then it would be a real issue. He mentioned that many smaller companies aren’t setup to be able to handle all of the pings that hit their site when BPO Auto-Accept software is used, thus it creates issues for the company and for the people trying to use their site to do BPO work as well as for the times when clients log into some BPO companies website to look at completed work that they requested. It creates a ‘bottle-neck.’

In case you aren’t familiar with this, BPO mills complain about how their servers are being ‘pinged’ too often by the software. Thus, many companies monitor IP addresses and have people within their company assigned to ‘look-out’ for people that are suspect for using BPO Auto-Accept software. Once they find someone that is, then they choose which direction to go with them.

So at the end of the day, the key points here are:

* Many top BPO mills don’t have an issue with people using BPO Auto-Accept software

* The main complainer and advocate against the software are the various clients of the BPO Mills.

* Smaller companies that provide BPO work don’t have the necessary systems in place to be able to handle the extra workload that the software creates internally and on their servers.

* People that use the software for controversial companies are still gaining work and not everyone is getting fire or blacklisted.

* Most importantly, people using the software need to be informed and stay educated, and at the end of the day the choice to use the software or not use it is up to them personally.

Please keep in mind that I am not offering legal advice or counsel here, but am offering my personal opinion here based on my own experience with this topic. I always tell people to get educated as much as possible about the software and at the end of the day the risk is theirs to take when deciding to use it or not use it. The results of our Order Central software speak for themselves, Click here to learn more!
I hope this gives some great insight,

Nicole Ocean

Founder | BPO Automation Group
(360) 223-2482 ext 2 | nicole@bpo-automation.com

About BPO Automation: With thousands of clients nationwide, we’re the #1 provider for BPO form-completion and automated order-acceptance software in the United States. Our focus is on quality solutions that save time, boost revenue, and let you focus on growing your business. Learn More »

BPO Automation Group LLC
PO Box 1325, Ferndale, WA 98248
Tel: (360) 223-2482 | E-mail: sales@bpo-automation.com

COPYRIGHT 2009-2011. BPO Automation Group LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Location: Seattle, Washington area
Start Time: Monday, August 2, 2010 at 9:00am
End Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 2:00pm

This 2 day, half day live course focuses on the basics concepts surrounding Broker Price Opinions. The lessons from the class provide a firm foundation for any real estate professionals wanting to learn valuable aspects and applications that apply to Broker Price Opinion work. Anyone taking this class will leave with a solid understanding of the business and how to accurately do BPO orders.

Our inaugural class is going to be held August 2nd-3rd, 2010 (Classes are held the first Monday and Tuesday of each month)

Instructors: Nicole Ocean, Lead Instructor for BPOU and Steve Lorimer, Senior Instructor for BPOU.

Space is limited to the first 50 people that sign up for the live class that will be 2 half days!

Don’t Delay Sign Up Today and Then……Mark Your Calendar!

We Look Forward To Meeting You At The Class.

(Course Number 7051. This course was approved on June 1, 2010 through the Department of Licensing/Real Estate Education Board in Washington State).

For more info or to sign up for the live class visit our website: www.bpo-university.com

I remember signing up with FARVV about 3+ years ago and then it took them 1 full year before I saw my first solicitation come through my email inbox. I literally forgot that I signed up with them….ironically they became a substantial money-maker for me!

After reading the words of my client and thinking about it for a moment, I couldn’t help but think about my own experience with this and then wonder what other people in the BPO and REO business have gone through as well.

Won’t you share a personal story about what’s the longest amount of time you’ve waited until you received your first order from a BPO or REO company you signed up with?

‘BPO Basics 101′ Will Be Offered As a Live Class in Washington State First, Then It Will Go National!

March 17, 2010 – Nicole Ocean submitted the ‘BPO Basics 101′ course for approval to the Real Estate Commission within the Department of Licensing in Washington state. After approval it will be offered to all Washington state real estate professionals as an accrediated live class that they can come to, learn about BPO’s and get clock hours that they can apply towards their continuing education requirements.

Click here to learn more!

Written by:
Nicole Ocean,
BPO University
BPO Automation Group
Nicolesdreams eBooks
www.bpo-university.com
www.bpo-automation.com
www.nicoleocean.com
360-223-2482

One thing that they outsourced (that surprised me) was the data entry part. Many would outsource this work to someone else. Some outsourced the data entry side of their BPO’s to people in India. They would pay a ‘VA’ (virtual assistant) a few dollars an hour and they would do the data entry for them on any BPO’s the agent had coming in. (Unfortunately, I was sad to learn that some BPO and REO agents would let their ‘VA’ go into their MLS, pick their comps and some would even let people in an unlicensed person [both those that live in the US as well as those that live in a foreign county) decide on the final value on a BPO order.)

I personally don’t believe in this option. Call me ‘too proud’ to outsource to a third world, but I believe in keeping work here in the US. If someone is trying to save money because people in the states charge more than I think that there are better options.

When talking to these agents most times it is because they are clients of BPO Automation Group. They are wanting to automate their BPO work. Most times this means doing away with their ‘VA.’

I praise them on this decision and fully support this choice…and not just because this means that I get their business. From my own experience with having my own team helping me with my BPO’s, I found out that it is better to rely on automation software as my ‘VA’ then on a person…no matter where they live.

When your reputation is on the live and many times a means to have a livelihood, then I personally feel that it is critical to be in control of many important aspects of your business. To me this means making sure that you are the only one involved in picking all of your comps for each order and overseeing the data entry side.

p.s. I realize that this blog posting may be contraverial. Please be warned that it was not my intention to offend anyone.

What are your thoughts on this?

Typical order-acceptance scheduling will automatically login to the your preferred BPO and/or REO providers and accept any/all orders that are in your queue at the times when the auto-accept macro runs! Scheduled to run 30 seconds to every minute, the Auto Accepter software constantly scours your BPO and REO companies to capture the latest BPO orders to keep you ahead of the competition!

BPO Automation Group’s Auto Accepter is the preferred choice by BPO and REO providers, because it’s secure: your login information is encrypted and stored on your own computer, keeping your valuable info safe from identity thieves!

Here are the current auto-accept macros that we can offer to you :

1. AVM

2. Bank of America/Landsafe

3. Clear Capital

4. Collateral Intelligence

5. EML (Can use this when you agree to a liability release)

6. Equi-Trax

7. Equity Pointe

8. FARVV

9. Goodman Dean

10. IASREO

11. iMortgage

12. Inside Valuations

13. IREP

14. LandAm (UTLS)

15. Mark to Market (Can use this when you agree to a liability release)

16. Mainstreet

17. Ocwen

18. Old Republic

19. PASREO

20. PCV-Murcor

21. Proteck

22. Realserv

23. Safeguard

24. SSPS

25. USRES

Click Here to Learn More!

Give us a call with any questions too!

You can reach us at: 360-223-2482

I am a BPO Automation expert and as such I’ve gotten completely spoiled when doing the data entry for my BPO’s. Mind you on top of running the BPO Automation Group, Nicolesdreams eBooks and being a certified real estate instructor….in my spare time (which comes up about once a month for a few hours) You can find me doing a few BPO’s.

Because of my connection with the BPO Automation Group, I am able to utilize many of the tools and services that we offer to other BPO and REO Agents for their own business, when doing my own BPO’s.

Although, I don’t do BPO’s them full-time, I still really enjoy getting in a putting on my Sherlock Holmes investigator’s cap as I search for clues and tidbits that will help me formulate how much I think a specific property is worth.

I’ve gotten to the point that I absolutely refuse to do any BPO without using automation software. I guess I’ve gotten spoiled. But it goes to say that first came the horse, then the cart….then the buggy….next the car…. the same notion applies to doing the data entry for my BPO’s. First there was me doing absolutely everything within my BPO business, then I hired data entry helpers….then I learned about automation software and let my help go….. So, here I stand 3 years later on the tip top of a huge mountain that I have been steadily climbing. And as I look back to the bottom of the magnificent mountain and I follow the path that I took to get here, I thank GOD that I made it in one piece….ha…ha…..

I must say that I am truly thankful for the experience of making the journey and for being so lucky as to have learned that there is a much better way to do my BPO work. Without it, I’d be stuck on the side of a cliff-face on that monstrous mountain, hoping I can hold on just a little bit longer and that my poor fingers don’t give out.

How Are You Holding On Within Your Own BPO and REO Business?

Warmly,
Nicole Ocean

BPO Automation Group

November 18, 2009

As the Sales Manager of the BPO Automation Group I have been in contact with hundreds of agents across the nation, who are vitally concerned about their ability to get BPO orders successfully. There are now a multitude of agents who are making a partial and/or meaningful livelihood from completing BPO orders. The guaranteed payday for those in the BPO industry, especially in today’s economic marketplace, is extremely attractive for many.

With BPO market saturation occurring in many areas of the nation, it is becoming more and more difficult to successfully get orders. To blame are the huge volume of agents attempting to get orders manually AND the increasing number of agents who are using auto-accept technology to get orders. Frequent questions regarding whether using auto-accept software is illegal and/or unethical abound. On one side of the coin I picture BPO agents chained to their desks, continually refreshing their computer in search of the illusive BPO orders. Agents who are using auto accept technology are enjoying a different lifestyle. Auto- accept software can be set to look for orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Orders can be accepted when the agent is taking BPO pictures or is out of the office on business, or are enjoying the family or other favorite activities. Throw off the shackles, make money and take charge of life!

Who, in their right mind, would like to spend hours each day looking for orders, when technology is available to effortlessly capture orders? I imagine that horses thought that automobiles were illegal and/or unethical when introduced into the marketplace, too! Such is automation. . . I recently spoke with a woman from the Chicago area that spent hours each day attempting to get BPO orders by frequently and continuously refreshing her internet connection with several BPO vendors. One of the vendors that has gone on record of stating that they do not allow auto-accepters to be used to capture their orders (to remain nameless) called this person on the phone, accused her of using an auto accepter, and fired her-even though she wasn’t using one at that time. I heard from another agent last week that she, too, was fired-even though she was only refreshing her link to this vendor’s website hundreds of times a day. Bottom line: neither agent was very successful getting orders from this vendor and others and both purchased our auto-accept software. In recent follow up conversation with both people, I was told that not only is their success ratio significantly higher in getting BPO orders since the installation date of our software, but both couldn’t imagine going back to the stress and hours of wasted time manually attempting to get orders-with little success!

Is it illegal or unethical to use auto-accepters to get orders? In my opinion, not using auto-accept software is much like the seemingly endless days people formerly spent in sweatshops, suffering cruel and unusual work conditions-especially when the alternative is so inexpensive and works so well! The BPO vendors, instead of trying to outlaw auto accept technology, should instead DIRECT BPO orders to individual agents who do a good job and get the orders done in a timely fashion. Vendors who rely on ‘market blasts’ to get BPO orders completed, who insist that agents chain themselves to their desks for hours at a time, are truly the ones who should get a wake-up call! Hundreds of frustrated agents across the nation are actively searching, hoping and praying for a solution to the BPO order nightmare.

Give me a call, Steve Lorimer, at the BPO Automation Group, and let’s talk about auto-accepters and when you are productive and busy getting orders, give me a call and let’s explore our form completion software that will cut hours off the time it takes to do the BPO paperwork!

Written by Steve Lorimer, Sales Manager for the BPO Automation Group

While the most obvious change in the popular order acceptance software comes in the form of a new, more intuitive user-interface, the software benefits from a larger number of major technological advances, including:

1. Login & password management that stores & validates user account information to assist in managing order-acceptance campaigns for the enterprise, along with immediate notication when an account passwords expire.

2. BPO task-management tools that provide On-Demand access to BPO Automation’s entire collection of automated order-acceptance scripts for the nation’s leading BPO companies.

3. Advanced networking functionality, which includes a breakthrough in bandwidth utilization to reduce network load for clients as well as making the software a “BPO Company Friendly” solution.

4. Increased speed, utilizing new enhancements in the software architecture that put the Auto-Accepter 2.0 at the theoretical limit of responsiveness to incoming BPO orders.

5. Enhanced memory utilization to reduce system load & allow higher overall responsiveness, combined with improvements in task-scheduling to allow the software to simultaneously check larger volumes of active agent accounts.

The pre-release software in the development video is shown running in visible task mode, which provides viewers with visible evidence of the speed & stability of the new system as it rapidly scans test-accounts in the BPOA test environment for BPO orders to accept.

Scheduled for release in December 2009, the software will allow BPO agents to capture larger volumes of orders in an increasing competitive marketplace, as well as broadening agent’s scope in capturing orders from a wider array of top national providers.

BPO Automation recommends that agents interested in purchasing the new software visit their site for details at http://www.bpo-automation.com, and have made the video available for viewing on YouTube, at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1WvXoPGYfk

Written by Tim Ventura, Co-Owner of BPO Automation Group

My name is Nicole Ocean, co-owner of BPO Automation Group and President of Nicolesdreams eBooks. You may have heard all of the buzz recently about auto-accept software and BPO automation software that helps BPO and REO Agents automate the data entry side of their BPO orders and monthly reports for their REO properties.

I’m extremely excited with how the BPO Automation Group has quickly become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to helping BPO and REO agents automate and streamline their businesses.

Some of the ways that we stand out is in the fact that I am a certified real estate instructor and BPO trainer. I’ve done BPO’s full-time for years and still am in the business to this day. I know the business because of being in the business. I personally use the automation software (iMacros) and our own in-house software application called the Auto Accepter for my own BPO orders. (There is no way I’d do an order without it anymore!)

I started this company by taking things upon myself and learning everything from the ground up. I’m the type of person that enjoys learning how everything works. Because of this, it took me about 6 months to teach myself the iMacros software and how to apply it to automate filling in BPO and REO orders as well as how to apply the concepts and features within the software to create auto-accept macros. Let me also mention that I am not a programmer, but after a year of investing myself I feel like I have become an expert at the iMacros software.

Within the last month our team has put together amazing tools that have helped advance our business and be able to offer amazing solutions to issues such as: MLS data clean up (Check out our MLS Tune Up tool!), custom macro creation for Word based BPO’s, as well as monthly marketing reports [MMR’s for your REO properties} custom data extraction, and lots more. We have even been able to help out appraisers too!

One of our biggest advances we made recently is by being able to offer our complete directory of over 115+ master macros for 35+ BPO and REO companies. All of our customers have access to use any or all of the macros that we offer right away as they need them. We are able to offer this within our Sync Tool. We often get asked if our system is compatible with a certain MLS, we now can guarantee that our system is compatible with any MLS and I do mean ANY MLS! (Plus, if we don’t have a company you need macros for we will create it for you for no extra charge! We are adding more companies, more macros and auto-accept macros to our directory every few days).

Other ways that we strive for excellence is by offering the absolute best products and solutions available anywhere. We also have a high regard in providing the best customer service experience possible for our customers. (We have a team of 7 people and are expanding to a new office to help keep up with the demand).

I’d like to personally invite you to check out our website or to sign up for a live demonstration that we put on each week. Come join me on Friday’s at 10 am PST as I showcase our signature ‘one-click’ macro, how we work, what to expect and show you how you can benefit from hiring us to help automate and streamline your BPO and REO business.

When people sign up with us they get their life back! Stop working nights and weekends on BPO and REO reports. Check in automating your business. Please take a few minutes to stop by our website and watch a demo to see how easy it can be to take your business to the next level and take control over your time for good!

Warmly,

Nicole Ocean

Certified Real Estate Instructor/BPO Trainer

www.bpo-automation.com

www.nicoleocean.com

360-223-2482