ITSO’s data feed is a mechanism for delivering listing information from the MLS® System to another destination, such as an authorized real estate product, website or an application.

Having an ITSO data feed arms you with the crucial tools to enable brokerages, authorized technology providers, and other industry stakeholders to access accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive property information. The importance of a real estate data feed from ITSO stems from several factors: Reliability and Accuracy: Using a data feed from the ITSO MLS® System ensures that the information provided is accurate, trustworthy and up-to-date. Using the latest WebAPI technology, ITSO data feeds automate data transmission, enabling real-time updates on property listings, pricing changes, and more. Standardization: ITSO provides data using the industry standards, such as the RESO dictionary and the RESO Web API, which ensures consistency and compatibility across various platforms, applications, and services. This standardization allows for seamless integration of data into multiple systems, reducing the effort and cost required for data manipulation and management. Timeliness: ITSO’s data feeds are updated in real time providing users with the most current information on property listings and market conditions.

ITSO provides multiple types of data feeds to cater to your specific needs. As part of the data feed process, ITSO requires the person applying for a data feed to answer a questionnaire as part of the agreement process. The most important question on the questionnaire is “what type of data feed do you require”? To help you answer that part of the questionnaire, here are explanations of the types of data feeds ITSO provides. IDX (Internet Data Exchange) - ITSO’s IDX data feed, exclusively available to Brokerages that belong to ITSO Member Associations, provide comprehensive on-market aka “active status” listings from all participating Member Brokerage offices. These offices opt in or out at the office level, and do not have the option to select individual listings for inclusion or exclusion from the feed. An IDX feed is used to advertise MLS® listings on a brokerage or REALTOR® website only. As the purpose of these websites is to advertise listings, the feed includes the same level of information as consumers are used to seeing on websites like REALTOR.ca. Office Active - This data feed is similar to IDX, used to advertise listings on a Brokerage or REALTOR® websites, however, this feed contains only those listings owned by the applicant Brokerage rather than all Member Brokerages participating in IDX. VOW (Virtual Office Website) - A VOW is a Brokerage website that displays MLS® listings for the purpose of enabling the Brokerage to provide online brokerage services to VOW customers. VOW customers have the opportunity to search MLS® listings, subject to the Brokerage’s oversight, supervision, and accountability. VOW feeds contain MLS® listings from all users of the MLS® System unless a seller has opted out of having their property advertised on the Internet. Unlike IDX websites, VOW websites are not necessarily advertising vehicles. VOWS can display an IDX or DDF® feed on the consumer facing side of the website, but customers must create a lawful Brokerage-consumer relationship by setting up an account and agreeing to terms of use prior to consumers accessing any VOW content. The VOW content includes additional fields that are not in the IDX feed, like two years of sold prices, expired, cancelled and suspended listings, buyer agency compensation remarks, and offer remarks. ITSO charges an annual fee for VOW feeds to reflect the value of this data and the resources that go into creating VOW feeds, monitoring VOW feeds for compliance, and maintenance of the feeds. The fee applies at the Brokerage level only and multiple REALTORS® can use the same Brokerage VOW feed to provide their own VOW websites under the Brokerage’s supervision. Back-Office Data Feed - A back-office data feed provides Brokerages with the essential data fields from the MLS® System to effectively manage the day-to-day operations of their Brokerage office or set of offices. This type of data feed typically includes data from listings, transactions, and client information, allowing Brokerages to efficiently organize, monitor, and analyze their business processes and commission payments. By integrating a back-office data feed into their office management applications, Brokerages can streamline their workflow, enhance productivity, allowing direct population of MLS® data into their applications to ensure 100% data accuracy for a more efficient and organized business. Back Office feeds only include MLS® listings that belong to the applicant Brokerage. Consumer Facing Website - This is feed of listing content provided to entities that are not members of organize real estate (i.e., not a brokerage, salesperson or broker). Typically, Consumer Facing Websites data feeds are provided to companies like Franchisors or cities/municipalities that want to promote listings in their region on their website. The feed is a consent-based feed meaning listings will only be included in the feed if the brokerage that owns the listings gives ITSO permission to provide them to the website. As the purpose of these websites is to advertise listings, the feed includes the same level of information as consumers are used to seeing on websites like REALTOR.ca.

An ATP (Authorized Technology Provider) is a technology provider that has entered into a contract with ITSO to provide websites and real estate products to Brokerages and REALTORS® and who have agreed to comply with the terms of that contract and the ITSO MLS® Rules when operating those websites and products.

If your website provider is already an Authorized Technology Provider, they will appear in the drop-down menu for selection as part of your data-feed application process. If not, they will need to complete their own ATP application before we can finalize and approve your application. Email datafeeds@itsosystems.ca and request that an invite be sent to your ATP.

Sold prices are included in back-office feeds for only the Brokerage that has requested the feed. Sold prices are otherwise not included in data feeds for display on websites other than a VOW.

The designated broker of record for each office must first log into BAM before agents are able to log in. BAM will auto-register the office when the designated broker logs in.

ITSO has chosen to manage the data feed process using the Bridge Agreement Management (BAM) application. This online tool replaces the legacy paper agreement process. BAM provides all parties, (Brokers, Agents, Vendors or ATPs, and ITSO) an account to approve, cancel and store agreements in one location. Brokers can login and approve waiting agreements, from their agents. All parties to an agreement can see the status of agreements they are a part of. Brokers of Record: Begin by logging into the MLS® system dashboard at https://itsorealestate.ca where you will see the BAM icon. Once you have done this, the tool will now be available to you and your REALTORS® to request data feeds. Detailed instructions for Brokers of Record can be found HERE. Real Estate Salespeople: Begin by logging to the MLS® system dashboard at https://itsorealestate.ca where you will see the BAM icon. Once you click the BAM icon you will be taken to the Bridge application to begin the agreement process. NOTE: The Broker of Record for your office MUST first log into their agreement management dashboard to allow access to the salespeople/agents from your office. This allows the platform to assign your Broker of Record as a signing party to the data access agreements. If your Broker of Record has not yet logged into their agreement management dashboard, you will receive a message explaining that this step must be completed before you can log in. Detailed instructions for salespeople can be found HERE.