We're gearing up here for a publicity drive in the run-up to the
PCS Expo in Islington, London in October. (If you'd like an invite, just drop us a line -- we have about 5,000!) Here's a press release that we're putting out in the coming weeks:
WALKTHROUGH BREAKTHROUGH FROM METROPIX
London-based property visualisation specialists Metropix have pulled off a world first with the launch of a new 3D walkthrough system which could revolutionise the way agents market property online.
3D walkthroughs present a detailed, computer-generated guided tour of a property, moving realistically from room to room through connecting doorways as if the viewer were holding a video camera. However, because they are computer-generated, they enjoy a number of major advantages over conventional video clips:
• Much greater clarity and definition than can be achieved using a hand-held camera.
• Potential purchasers can get a real feel for the size and layout of a property, without the current owner’s furnishings and fixtures in place.
• A range of different colour schemes and décor styles are displayed during the tour, helping the viewer to visualise how a property might be made to look.
The big problem with 3D walkthroughs, however, has always been cost. Because they have to be individually created and painstakingly assembled by highly-skilled designer-programmers, a walkthrough for a fairly standard 2-bedroom flat will cost in the region of £5,000-£8,000, and take around 10 days to produce.
Small wonder then that until now, their use in the property sector has been limited to major new developments only.
Not any more, however - thanks to Metropix. Their quick and simple-to-use software for the first time brings computerised walkthroughs within reach of every agent in the country – at a fraction of the previous cost. “Instead of £8,000, an agent using our system can generate a walkthrough for a 2-bed apartment, in minutes, for just £30,” says Metropix Director Brian Farrell. Indeed, he adds, with discounts for regular or high-volume usage, this can be reduced to as little as £10-£15.
The new software thus gives agents access to a uniquely powerful visualisation tool at a price which can potentially transform the online marketing of every single property on their books!
Two years in development, and the first of its kind in the world (so, not surprisingly, the cause of a considerable stir in the IT community), the secret of Metropix’s revolutionary new system is that it is based on the company’s existing floor plan technology. Launched at the start of the year, and already highly successful, with usage quadrupling in the first 6 months, this is an extremely easy to use, subscription-based system giving agents the ability to generate unlimited numbers of floor plans online - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - in just minutes. Now, once a plan has been generated using this system, a 3D walkthrough can also be ordered, at the touch of a button. Online delivery of the completed walkthrough is guaranteed within 24 hours.
Prior to launch, the system - which is compatible with most major estate agency software packages - was comprehensively field-tested by selected agents around the country, and the response was hugely enthusiastic. Martin Robinson, Residential Sales Director of Hunters Property Group ltd in Yorkshire & Manchester said “The power of this system to bring a property to life on screen is phenomenal. Buyers absolutely love the tours – even though the images are computer-generated, they convey a far more ‘real’ impression than any number of still photographs, 360-degree panoramas, or even video clips. As a result, the majority of our vendors are clamouring to have tours done for their homes appreciating the advantage, in this tough market, the Walkthrough will give their home over a one without. Using Walkthroughs has helped to raise our fees without any problems and also to secure an improved number of quality instructions. ”
This uniquely powerful new online marketing tool is likely to be the star turn at next month’s PCS Expo at the Business Design Centre in London. But meanwhile, for further information, contact Metropix at sales@metropix.co.uk, or by phone on 0845 838 5355.
For further press information, please contact:
Brian Farrell, Metropix brian.farrell@metropix.com
Tel: 0845 838 5355
