2000 may be 'The Year of the Internet efficiencies'.

When New Year's Eve passed with lots of fireworks but nary a single Y2K glitch, we all realized that life as we know it simply doesn't change overnight. So it's no surprise that six months into 2000 and following the launch of more than 100 Business-to-Business (B2B) commercial real estate web sites, the pace of change in our business remains calculated and deliberate. Nonetheless, change occurring, and it is accelerating.

The Internet hype machine would have us believe that our professional lives will be magically changed by technology. From our perch at RealtyIQ.com, the first research-driven commercial real estate information service offered on-line, we see the industry's desire for magical solutions, but the delivery of true efficiencies and improvements is hardly about magic, illusion or smoke and mirrors. The Internet holds the potential to improve Commercial Real Estate careers by hosting sites and services that help close deals faster and provide the very best information and connectivity to industry professionals. But there's no magic wand to turn this potential into reality. Instead, the transformation of business practices will take time and hard work -- on the part of technology services companies, industry professionals, and web service providers.

First, high-speed Internet service is a necessity in order to appreciate the benefits of on-line services. The demand for broadband far outweighs the supply, and until the "need for speed" is satisfied, many commercial real estate professionals (and consumers in general) will be left out of the ongoing Internet revolution. Anyone who has tried to download information on a slow-speed modem has felt the frustration of having the world at one's fingertips - yet still out of reach. As fiber, wireless technology and super-charged copper deliver faster and faster speeds of Internet access to commercial real estate professionals around the country, the potential of B2B web sites will be greatly unlocked.

Second, industry professionals are just beginning to test the waters of B2B Internet services. A few companies, including RealtyIQ.com inaugural member Cushman & Wakefield, are diving in head first. Others are sticking their toes in -- but holding back on major commitments. No matter the style, the reality is that commercial real estate professionals are interested in learning about what the Internet can offer them and how they can benefit. Our industry has come a long way from the days just a decade ago, when I was a struggling real estate broker searching a rusty old file cabinet for office space listings. Today, RealtyIQ.com customers perform detailed local office space surveys with three clicks of a computer mouse. A willingness to test new technology is playing a pivotal role in the delivery of Internet efficiencies to our business.

Finally, and most important, it is up to on-line service providers to deliver true and honest efficiencies to the commercial real estate profession. There is tremendous competition for the commercial real estate professional's attention and loyalty - and I believe that sites that understand, listen to, respond to and deliver on the industry's needs will succeed. Since launching our site on March 15, we've added more than 20 new markets to the site and made more than 500 separate improvements to service. Today, with an active CRE membership 25,000 professionals strong, RealtyIQ.com is in a unique position to help move the Internet revolution forward. As we continue to improve our site, foster community, deliver compelling, unique services and efficiencies, I'm confident we'll see the adoption of our service - and other top Internet B2B sites - accelerate through the end of the year and beyond.