Syndicates in a nutshell...

A SUPER subscription affords you all the features and benefits of Syndicates (syndicates). If you do not have a SUPER subscription you can still be a member of one or more syndicates. See syndications below.

Syndicates in RealtyZapp are a way to group together a bunch of features and a bunch of users. At the heart of all syndicates is the owner who is responsible for the creation, configuration, and management of the syndicate. The owner is the syndicate's benefactor. A syndicate has members who join the syndicate and are the beneficiaries of the syndicate's features. In some cases, the owner is also a member of the syndicate in order to be a beneficiary of the syndicate's features.  

There are different types of syndicates, each with its own characteristics and configurable settings.

• Company Tree: used to create a company hierarchy of users e.g. agents of a firm; synchronize company profile information for uniformity; and more.
  
• Authority: used for account management providing the owner the ability to impersonate member, reset member password, impound member account.
  
• Listings Share: used to grant members co-representation on one or more listings.
  
• Listing Flyers: used to publish one or more design PDF Flyers as the default flyers on the members' listings.
  
• Designs Share: used to publish a set of Designs to members. See Designs help for more information about Designs.
  

There is so much more that we could say about the types of syndicates but to keep it short and sweet, we will defer you to talk.realyzapp.com for more information. See also use cases below.

Syndicates page...

On the Syndicates page you will see one or more tabs depending upon your subscription.

• syndicates: shows a list of the syndicates you own. You can create and administrate your syndicates.
  
• members: shows all of the members of all your syndicates. You can administrate the members from this tab.
  
• syndications: shows all the syndicates you are a member of. This tab is available to all Agent+ subscriptions. Here is where you join syndicates and manage each of your memberships.
  

Let us now look at how syndicates work and what is on each of those tabs.

syndicates tab...

The list of syndicates for the most part, is read-only. You can however search (filter) and sort by any of the columns. To open a syndicate, click on the > button to the left of the syndicate record.

To create a new syndicate, click on the +new button. Choose which type of syndicate to create. A dialog opens where you configure the syndicate. All syndicates share a common set of features, only the "what's in it..." is specific to the type of syndicate.

• ON/OFF - this toggle the syndicate on or off. When a syndicate is ON, all of its features are working. When it is OFF, none of its features are working.
  
• name - give the syndicate a meaningful but short name. The name appears in a lot of places.
  
• description - give a brief description. The description only appears to the owner.
  
• secret token - this a token that is used to join the syndicate. the token is automatically generated in order to maintain uniqueness. When you create a syndicate, it is this token that you provide to other users i.e. firm agents, teammates so that they can join the syndicate. See syndications below for how to join.  You can generate a new token at any time by clicking the reset button to the right of the token box. In the event you generate a new token, the previous token can no longer be used to join. Know that any/all existing members that are already joined are unaffected when the token is changed.
  
• what's in it - this is the features of the type of syndicate. Some of the features are configurable i.e. on/off, checkbox, dropdown selection, input, etc. This appears to the members but they cannot change anything.
  
• what's the deal - this is sort of like the written contract. This is where you describe the terms, policy, instructions, whatever about the syndicate. This can be as formal or informal as you wish. This to appears to the members but they cannot change it.
  

When you are done creating or editing a syndicate, be sure to save it. Click the save button in the upper right corner. You also have duplicate and trash buttons.

members tab...

The members tab is where you manage all of the members of your syndicates. You can search (filter) and sort the list by any of the columns. There are some active elements in the list i.e. the actions button and the granted checkbox.

The granted checkbox is a quick way of granting a membership. When a member joins a syndicate, they check a box to accept their membership but the owner must then grant the membership before it is officially enabled.

Click on the > (actions) button to show popup of all the available actions. Depending on the syndicate type, the actions will vary but message and trash are common actions. Below is a description of the available actions..

• message - send a private message to the member. (all types of syndicates)
  
• trash - remove the member from the syndicate. This is permanent. Of course the member could rejoin if need be provided they have a valid secret token and the owner grants the membership. (all types of syndicates)
  
• impersonate user - the owner can impersonate the user's account. This is like being logged in as the user without having to authenticate via email and password. (Authority syndicate)
  
• reset password - allows owner to instantly reset a member's password. This is useful for occasions when the member forgets their password. (Authority syndicate)
  
• put account in impound / remove account from impound - allows the owner to disable/lockout a member's account. No one can access the account via the normal login page, only by administrative impersonation. When the account is impounded, anyone using the account will be logged out almost immediately. Use this feature with caution. It is intended only for extreme circumstances e.g. account compromise or member misconduct. (Authority syndicate)
  

syndications tab...

Everyone with a Agent+ subscription has the syndications tab. This tab lists all of your syndication memberships. This tab shows any/all system generated syndicates e.g Buildout plus any/all syndicates you have chosen to join.

You can search (filter) and sort by any of the columns.

To join a syndicate, click on the +join button and provide the secret token provided to you by the syndicate owner and then click the join button.

A popup will appear showing you all of the details of the syndicate. If you are okay with the deal then all you have to is check the box indicating you accept the deal and turn it ON if you wish. Your selections are saved immediately, no need to click any save button. When finished, just close the popup.

When you join a syndicate, the owner is sent a message informing them that you joined. The owner must perfom a final grant before you are officially a member.

Once you are a member of a syndicate, you have the power to turn it ON/OFF, unaccept it, and even trash it (delete). Keep in mind that some system generated syndicates may not afford you these powers.

Syndicate use case examples...

Keep in mind that there are so many different scenarios possible and our goal was that syndicates would be flexible enough to meet the needs of just about any organization or individual. The following use cases are very basic but we think you will get an idea of how useful syndicates really are.

Company Tree syndicate

Company Tree syndicate can be used to represent an organizational hierarchy e.g. firm > agents or perhaps even firm > offices > agents. Functionally a Company Tree syndicates provides ability synchronize owner's Company Profile information to members' Agent Profile.

1. Owner creates a Company Tree syndicate.
   
2. Owner provides a name, description, selects which features are on/off and provides some deal verbiage.
   
3. Owner makes note of (copies) the secret token.
   
4. Owner turns ON the syndicate and saves the syndicate.
   
5. Owner provides the secret token to the firm's agents.
   
6. Agent goes to their Syndicates page and clicks on the syndications tab.
   
7. Agent clicks on the new+ button and provides the secret token and then clicks the join button.
   
8. Agent next sees a popup where they can look over what's in it and what's the deal.
   
9. Agent checks the accept box and turns ON the syndication.
   
10. At this point the Syndication is not official yet, there is one more step. The owner must grant membership to the member to make it official.
    
11. When the member joined the syndicate, a message was sent to the owner. The message contains a link button to grant the membership OR the owner can go to their syndicates page - member tab to grant the membership.
    

All syndicates employ this "two-factor" membership approval process which helps to reduce misuse in the event a token gets in the wrong hands.

Authority syndicate

Authority syndicates are independent of, but often used in conjunction with, company tree syndicates . Authority syndicate acts like an account admin hierarchy where the owner is given administrative powers over the members accounts. This power can be used for support and/or security purposes. An example might be a firm with a bunch of agents and an office administrator. The administrator supports the firm's agents with tasks like managing thier listings. Perhaps the firm pays for all of the agent's subscriptions and considers it has ownership rights to all of the agent's account. Authority provides the firm control over the accounts.

An Authority syndicate is the only type of syndicate that once membership is officially granted, the member cannot turn off nor trash it. Only the owner can do those things. If the member really needs to be able to change something then the owner could temporarily revoke the membership and grant again once the member is done.

1. Owner creates a Authority syndicate.
   
2. Owner provides a name, description and some deal verbiage.
   
3. Owner makes note of (copies) the secret token.
   
4. Owner turns ON the syndicate and saves the syndicate.
   
5. Owner provides the secret token to the firm's agents (members).
   
6. Member goes to their Syndicates page and clicks on the syndications tab.
   
7. Member clicks on the new+ button and provides the secret token and then clicks the join button.
   
8. Member next sees a popup where they can look over what's in it and what's the deal.
   
9. Member checks the accept box and turns ON the syndication.
   
10. At this point the Syndication is not official yet, there is one more step. The owner must grant membership to the member to make it official.
    
11. When the member joined the syndicate, a message was sent to the owner. The message contains a link button to grant the membership OR the owner can go to their syndicates page - member tab to grant the membership.
    
12. Once granted, the membership is locked in and only the owner can change or trash the membership.
    

Listing Flyers syndicate

Listing Flyers syndicate is a means to designate one or more design PDF Flyers as default on the listing pages of the members' listings. This syndicate is typically employed in a firm or agency in order to standardize the flyers for all its agents.

1. Owner creates a Listing Flyer syndicate.
   
2. Owner provides a name, description and some deal verbiage.
   
3. Owner picks one or more designs to include in the syndicate. These are typically PDF Flyer designs
   
4. Owner makes note of (copies) the secret token.
   
5. Owner turns ON the syndicate and saves the syndicate.
   
6. Owner provides the secret token to the firm's agents (members).
   
7. Member goes to their Syndicates page and clicks on the syndications tab.
   
8. Member clicks on the new+ button and provides the secret token and then clicks the join button.
   
9. Member next sees a popup where they can look over what's in it and what's the deal.
   
10. Member checks the accept box and turns ON the syndication.
    
11. At this point the Syndication is not official yet, there is one more step. The owner must grant membership to the member to make it official.
    
12. When the member joined the syndicate, a message was sent to the owner. The message contains a link button to grant the membership OR the owner can go to thier syndicates page - member tab to grant the membership.
    

Listings Share syndicate

Listings Share syndicate is a means to represent multiple agents to one or more listings. Whomever is the owner of the listings meaning the one who created the listing records in RealtyZapp is the user who creates and ownes the Listings Share syndicate. The members of the syndicate become the secondary agents shown on the listing or listings.

1. Owner creates a Listings Share syndicate.
   
2. Owner provides a name, description and some deal verbiage.
   
3. Owner picks one or more listings to include in the syndicate.
   
4. Owner makes note of (copies) the secret token.
   
5. Owner turns ON the syndicate and saves the syndicate.
   
6. Owner provides the secret token to the specific users (members).
   
7. Member goes to their Syndicates page and clicks on the syndications tab.
   
8. Member clicks on the new+ button and provides the secret token and then clicks the join button.
   
9. Member next sees a popup where they can look over what's in it and what's the deal.
   
10. Member checks the accept box and turns ON the syndication.
    
11. At this point the Syndication is not official yet, there is one more step. The owner must grant membership to the member to make it official.
    
12. When the agent joined the syndicate, a message was sent to the owner. The message contains a link button to grant the membership OR the owner can go to thier syndicates page - member tab to grant the membership.
    

Designs Share syndicate

Designs Share syndicate is the most versitile type of syndicate that is applicable in many different scenarios. It affords the syndicate owner to share one or more of thier designs with any other RealtyZapp users. An obvious application would be in firm with multiple agents but it is not limited in that way. Any design can be shared with any arbitrary group of users (members).

1. Owner creates a Designs Share syndicate.
   
2. Owner provides a name, description and some deal verbiage.
   
3. Owner picks one or more designs to include in the syndicate. These are typically PDF Flyer designs
   
4. Owner makes note of (copies) the secret token.
   
5. Owner turns ON the syndicate and saves the syndicate.
   
6. Owner provides the secret token to the firm's agents (members).
   
7. Member goes to their Syndicates page and clicks on the syndications tab.
   
8. Member clicks on the new+ button and provides the secret token and then clicks the join button.
   
9. Member next sees a popup where they can look over what's in it and what's the deal.
   
10. Member checks the accept box and turns ON the syndication.
    
11. At this point the Syndication is not official yet, there is one more step. The owner must grant membership to the member to make it official.
    
12. When the member joined the syndicate, a message was sent to the owner. The message contains a link button to grant the membership OR the owner can go to their syndicates page - member tab to grant the membership.
    

Recall that any design can be published in the RZ Gallery but Designs Share is different than published in a couple of ways...

• The designs are only visible to the syndicate's members, not the whole world like with published.
  
• The designs will automatically appear to the members in other places like the RZ Designer.
  

Take a moment and imagine the possibilities with this type of syndicate.

Want more ideas? Take a look around talk.realyzapp.com where you will find all kinds of resources including ideas posed by not only RealtyZapp but also our great user community.