ELF - Event Logic Framework
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ELF - the Event Logic Framework is a CCAR innovation. ELF is a relatively new tool that you will be hearing much more about. This page will help you understand what ELF is, how it works, and how it can help your business. ELF is a 'message broker.' In technology terms, ELF is an AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol) based tool that is also the CCAR RETS client. RETS is the transaction standard for real estate. This means that ELF lives at the heart of our communication with the MLS. Since ELF is also tied directly into additional data sources like our membership system, it enables us to layer data, analyze and react to it. ELF listens for event changes, like the entry of a new listing in the MLS, then reacts by grabbing the data and inserting it into various databases. ELF then listens for triggers to perform against that data. In a sense it is like automatic email notifications from the MLS, but much more flexible. Think of ELF as your very own combination 'data butler' and 'mailperson.' |
One of the first things that ELF did for CCAR was to analyze our MLS data and create a replicated data set called the MLS Mirror. The mirror plays a key role in our ability to act on data triggers and do reporting across time on your behalf.
Now ELF sits between our membership data, the MLS, and the MLS Mirror running in the background of our new ccartoday.com website. It updates information as needed, and sends communications as programmed. These programmed communications are called 'channels.'
A practical example is the ELF 'new listing channel.' When ELF notices that a new listing has been input on the MLS, it replicates that data into our database. It then constructs a StreetURLS single property website for your new listing. Next it updates your widget galleries, cooliris galleries, your consumer targeted pages, your listing history, HOT, and much more.
Next ELF packages up these free marketing tools and services, and sends an email to you, the listing agent, within an hour of listing input. This convenient email reminds you of these services, the MLS rules governing that listing, and much more. This email is delivered from the address noreply.ccar.elf@ccartoday.com. You can see the template that drives these messages here... please ignore the obvious program variables.
If you have ever played a game of pinball, and had multiple balls bouncing off of the flipper paddles at the same time, then you can visualize what ELF does in the background of CCAR's services. We are very excited with what ELF has already helped us to achieve. We are even more excited, however, at what ELF can deliver going forward.
Our next channel will provide members with an empowering, personalized statistical report every morning. There are many other functional, empowering channels of communications and service waiting in our pipeline beyond that, so stay tuned to see what ELF will do for you next!