Jim Young, co-producer of the event, held a press conference a few hours ago to sum up the state of the technology as it is represented at the show. He noted that the last phase in the development of real estate technology ended in "carnage," due to bad business models, the general tech fallout and commercial real estate's historic slowness to adapt.

But now, he says, the "true internet" has arrived, thanks to the coming together of six prime forces. These forces, Young believes, will usher in a new technological era. First in the six forces is "inexpensive, powerful computing." Next is more powerful broadband. He noted that 24 months ago, 56K was typical, and "today you can get 100 megabits."

He cited standardized IP networks as one of these forces, along with network appliances--the growing ability for building systems and other tech tools--such as digital cameras and even cars--to plug into the internet. He noted internet-based integrated information systems as a major force, and he envisioned a time in the not-too-distant future when an after-hours motion detector picks up movement on a property and the manager can view the area through his cell phone.

But the "strongest underlying theme of this conference" was wireless technology, and as he said this, Young held aloft his laptop with wireless internet connectivity. "In the next 12 months," he stated, "if your business model is not built around remote technology, you are in trouble."

Realcomm itself has had some troubles in the wake of the dot-bomb, and Young reported that this is the first year that booth numbers have dwindled. "In '99, we had 37 vendors," he reported. "In 2000, we had 117 and in '01 we had 150." This year, there are 120 vendors at the show, and Young says he expects the same next year.

"But I'm more encouraged this year than I was last year," he commented. "There's less hype based on erroneous business models. The people you see here have big scars on their backs, but they're all still here.