Scott Strong, new CEO of zipLogix
This week zipLogix formally announced a leadership shift with Scott Strong, formerly VP of products and retail with global technology company Siemens, taking the reins as CEO of the Michigan-based real estate transaction management software firm. Strong succeeds long-time CEO Joel Singer, who will remain on zipLogix’s board of directors.
Set up in 1991 to improve productivity and efficiency in the real estate industry, ZipLogix is a joint venture between the National Association of Realtors and California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) subsidiary Real Estate Business Services. Its transaction management software tools, including zipForm Plus, zipTMS and zipVault, are available as a benefit to NAR’s more than 1.3 million Realtor members at no cost.
Speaking with Inman today, Strong said he was aware that the transaction management business in real estate is “definitely a competitive space,” but this was nothing new to him as someone with a background in technology and commerce, having served as CEO of Blue Software in Chicago and as global operations director of the software division of Matthews International prior to his position with Siemens.
A big year lies ahead for zipLogix, in which will broaden its range of products and services to include zipCRM, a customer relationship management tool that will launch Feb. 14. The CRM will be powered by WiseAgent and fully integrate with zipForm Plus, zipLogix’s latest form software program.
In his new position, Strong said he wanted to provide an “open integrated model” so that agents can, in one platform, engage buyers throughout their home purchasing journey, even when they are ready to buy a home for the second time, he said. Though he comes from the SaaS (software as a service) space, the new CEO has real estate ties through his wife, who he said is a successful agent in Chicago.
“I have lived the real estate world every evening and weekend,” said Strong, adding that he had spent many a Sunday vetting tools that might help his wife streamline her business. “I definitely feel attached to the industry.”
Strong acknowledged the importance of the “human connection” in helping someone buy a home, but also the role that technology plays in creating efficiencies. “As long as we can provide agents with seamless tech, they won’t be disintermediated by anything,” Strong told Inman.
In his 18 years leading zipLogix, Singer, who is also CEO of C.A.R., took the company from paper to digital.
“Joel has been instrumental in positioning zipLogix as the leader in the real estate forms and transaction management space empowering real estate professionals with the tools needed to prosper in today’s dynamic real estate market,” said Mark Peterson, zipLogix chairman in a company press release. “Scott will take us to the next level in terms of applying new technologies to create an even more profound end-to-end user experience.”