Property managers know the pain points of disconnected technology all too well. Struggling to keep up with the changing landscape, adopting quick fixes seems the only way to overcome the next big hurdle. The result? A fragmented approach resulting from overlapping single-point solutions that don’t integrate or offer the scalability property managers need to evolve as their business matures. Although it might seem overwhelming, finding a comprehensive solution is possible.
How do you reduce operational expenses, streamline workflows, and support continued growth? With our step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to a secure, integrated, and optimized property management tech stack that boosts productivity and helps you maintain a competitive edge.
Identify Your Unique Requirements
Efficiently managing rental operations encompasses a range of activities, each demanding significant resources and time. From marketing and booking or renting, to maintenance, invoicing, and reporting, completing tasks quickly and efficiently requires steadfast determination and a dedicated team driven to succeed. It’s no easy feat. And in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to see why some property managers look for tools to address specific issues as they arise instead of an all-in-one solution. Before integrating with yet another single-point solution, take a step back and identify what software/hardware you’re using that works well or that’s essential to your business.
Evaluate Your Current Tech Stack
Property management tech stacks require tweaking periodically, so be sure to take inventory regularly to determine if you’re using everything and, if so, to what extent. Note beneficial components, assess problem areas, and identify redundancies and inefficiencies. What are your biggest obstacles, and will your current system help you achieve your goals? If you’re committed to a particular property management system, what solutions can be built around it to streamline crucial processes?
Once you have a clear picture of the pros and cons of your existing property management tech stack, it’s easier to understand the gaps enhanced technology could help close. An optimized tech stack is critical for an organization’s growth strategy, so be vigilant when assessing current and future requirements.
Identify Your Operations Pain Points
Repairs and maintenance are time-consuming, whether managing one property or thousands. Throw in resident or guest communication, access control, smart technology opportunities, and task management; it’s easy to see how processes can become cumbersome, particularly as your inventory and staffing levels increase. What manual tasks could you replace with workflows and automations, and how could that simplify your operations and increase your bottom line?
Identify areas that are sluggish or cause significant delays in the daily workflow and document your pain points as they occur. Once documented, selecting a solution to address those specific areas of concern will result in a more productive team and enhance overall performance in all areas of operation.
Know Your Options
With so many technology choices available to property managers, finding what works best for your unique business is one of your most important decisions and usually the most time-intensive step. Now that your pain points are well defined, use the vetting process to match product features and functionality to your unique business needs.
Shop around, participate in demos, ask for references, and don’t be afraid to ask hard questions to get the answers you need. It’s easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles of cutting-edge technology, but continually referencing your operational pain points and technology strengths and weaknesses will help you evaluate the product with clarity. Remember, the ultimate goal is for your business operations to run smoothly and efficiently, and the product needs to solve for those issues without potentially creating new ones.
Understand Integrations
Once you’ve narrowed it down to your top selections, determine how the product or technology will integrate with your current tech stack. Although great technology can function well on its own, property management technology is infinitely more powerful when used with integrated systems. A unifying operations platform like BeHome247 offers a vast suite of hardware and software integrations enabling operations management from one central hub. Mobile-friendly, fluid, and customizable, BeHome247 integrates seamlessly, offering pre-built connectivity options and an open API.
Understanding how applications communicate and share information in this intricate ecosystem will help you make smarter decisions. Ultimately, your goal should be to find a solution that improves connectivity, increases efficiency, and encourages collaboration among team members, vendors, and support staff.
Review the Onboarding Process
Once you’ve evaluated and identified the best operations software for your needs, onboarding is the final key element to consider. The assistance you receive during the implementation process is vitally important. So too, is the support you receive once the process is complete. What does the support system look like if you run into issues? Will it be primarily self-service, or is there a vast resource bank with additional training, online support, blogs, and videos?
If you seek a more personalized experience, opt for a unifying operations platform like BeHome247. Not only can BeHome247 integrate disparate technologies, replace manual tasks with workflows, organize data, and improve energy management, BeHome247 offers a thorough onboarding process dedicated to your long-term success.
In-person or remote training sessions and a training plan with step-by-step instructions, guides, and videos ensure users are comfortable with the platform. A support department and knowledge base provide additional assistance, and a dedicated account manager stays with clients after implementation to ensure they remain confident with the system.
“BeHome247 prides itself in the tools we offer property managers,” says BeHome247 Director of Operations, Ali Lauria. Overseeing BeHome247’s customer experience teams, Lauria is responsible for training, implementation, account management, and customer support. “My number one job is that our BeHome247 team and users are knowledgeable about our product,” says Lauria.
BeHome247: Unified Operations Platform
Although no two businesses are alike, all property managers ultimately share a desire for easy-to-use, flexible, and scalable solutions that optimize processes and streamline operations. It all starts with the proper framework, and selecting BeHome247’s unifying operations platform could be the first step to addressing your property management needs today and preparing for future growth tomorrow.
Contact us today and schedule a demo.
