Since its introduction in 2001 Aspasia has become recognised as the most technically advanced and functionally rich residential estate agency solution on the market.  It is principally aimed at a specific niche in the industry – operators, usually of multiple sites, who through their size and geographical distribution, are best placed to benefit from the power of an Oracle database and the true "thin client" Internet architecture on which it is based.

Aspasia's development so far has essentially seen the automation of the core functionality of a traditional sales or lettings agency and is similar in concept to many competitor products albeit more extensive in it's scope. Although ongoing development of this traditional model will continue unabated, Phase 1 of Aspasia's growth can be considered largely complete. 

However, it has always been the long term goal to produce a product that is unique in the marketplace and which capitalises on the Internet architecture on which it has been built from the onset.  Aspasia has no legacy DOS or Windows architecture to hamper its development in this field.  The early vision saw the power of Oracle's database, combined with the development of the Internet, creating an enabling technology and platform on which significant new ways of conducting business through e-business being developed.

All the building blocks are now in place for a significant move forward.  Aspasia exists in its traditional form and the general availability of broadband Internet access presents us with tremendous opportunities to influence the manner in which residential property transactions can be improved for the customer's benefit in the future.  Estate agents and lettings agents armed with these new opportunities can look forward to significant differentiation from their competitors in the industry with the resultant benefits in profitability.

There is no suggestion that Aspasia should become a "dot com" business.  The objective is to enrich the value and impact of personal communication by enabling customers to perform for themselves any activities that don't require the expertise of a specialist.

However, as with Dell and others who have digitised their businesses, customers who wish to conduct their business with an agency in the traditional manner should be able to do so.  All existing functionality within Aspasia will remain and continue to be improved.  There will always be those on either side, the customer or the agency, who may not wish to change or whose dealings may not be appropriate for a web orientated customer focussed solution. 

In all other industries where a process of digitisation has taken place the move towards the new method of business has been gradual but in all cases significant.  Not only is there to be expected an improvement in the level of customer service but there is also the potential for cost savings on a large scale.  The improved levels of customer service combined with significant cost savings place pioneering organisations in an almost unassailable position relative to their competitors.