Management Information Systems: Zillow – Strategy, Technology & Platform Innovation

Project Overview
As part of our Management Information Systems (MIS) course, our team conducted an in-depth analysis of Zillow, a leading real estate technology platform in the U.S. The project aimed to explore how Zillow leverages information systems to gain a competitive advantage, improve user experience, and streamline its platform operations.

Industry Competition & Strategy
In the real estate technology space, Zillow operates in a highly competitive environment—especially against rivals like Redfin and Realtor.com. Using Porter’s Five Forces framework, we identified rivalry among existing competitors as the most significant force affecting the industry.

Our video illustrates how Zillow strategically responds to this competition through:

AI-powered property valuations

Enhanced platform personalization

Aggressive agent and advertiser engagement through data analytics

Use of Machine Learning & Information Systems
Zillow integrates machine learning algorithms into its core information systems to deliver precise property evaluations. These algorithms take into account:

Neighborhood factors (e.g., noise, pollution)

Property history and transaction records

Market conditions and real-time trends

The result is an intelligent system that provides real-time pricing models, helping users make more informed decisions.

Platform Features & Agent Tools
Our research and presentation also explored Zillow’s digital ecosystem, including:

Premier Agent Program – giving agents enhanced customer data and lead generation tools

Property listings integration – with smart filters and customer interaction tracking

Feedback loops – enabling continuous optimization of ads, content, and website UI

These systems are managed through a central strategy that combines customer data, AI tools, and automated content delivery.

Project Deliverable: Group Video Presentation
In our group video, we showcased Zillow’s strategic use of MIS to manage market dynamics, improve its platform features, and stay ahead of the competition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYaBA_Lqjwg

Key Learnings
Understanding how MIS supports strategic decision-making

Seeing how real-time data and AI are applied in a high-demand industry

Exploring platform-based business models in digital real estate