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[Post New] 09/14/2008 22:06:42 Subject: Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Elsie Hermann

Joined: 09/04/2008 09:37:51
Messages: 13
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IREM members identified technology as one of the top issues and trends impacting their business. Please share your challenges and experiences on this issue.
[Post New] 09/15/2008 09:31:21 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]

Joined: 09/15/2008 09:30:02
Messages: 1
Location: Birmingham, AL
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Blackberries Rock!
[Post New] 09/16/2008 10:27:39 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Lori Burger

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Joined: 09/16/2008 10:14:08
Messages: 6
Location: Headquarters - Rohnert Park, CA
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I agree. Technology related issues is one of the top business challanges that we face as a company. There are so many very worthy products on the market, I beleive that each firm should ultimately decide what they want to accomplish and then seek out the products to mirror their needs. We are often solicited with fantastic products which would ultimately streamline how we do things and improve our bottom line, but if we stop and try and engage each, though very worthy, all we would be doing is perpetual implementation. My recommendation stick with the basics and select a product that will grow with you.
[Post New] 09/19/2008 08:07:13 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]

Joined: 09/16/2008 08:05:24
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I believe we must embrace technology and continue to move forward to grow both in yourself and your business. I hope we contine to benefit from the changes and learn how using technolgy in so many ways will empower you to do your job using the up-to-date forms of technology, i.e. blackberries, i-phones, etc.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/19/2008 08:09:51

[Post New] 09/25/2008 22:02:38 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Elsie Hermann

Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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I agree!
[Post New] 09/28/2008 17:54:02 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Christopher Mellen

Joined: 09/16/2008 11:19:56
Messages: 46
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Skype, the free voice and video calling system has changed the way we hold meetings. It makes it really easy to schedule meetings and guarantee attendance!

www.skype.com
[Post New] 10/05/2008 14:29:33 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Sandra Acton

Joined: 09/15/2008 13:53:15
Messages: 7
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This is always the million dollar issue for us - do we forge ahead into another level of technology or stick with what we have? Technology has become and blessing as well as a curse and I find myself spending lots of time either on an electronic devise or contemplating one and less time face to face with the clients I serve. Hard to find the balance some times.
[Post New] 10/14/2008 09:48:53 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Anthony Pusateri

Joined: 10/14/2008 09:08:36
Messages: 9
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One of the greatest advances this year in Technology was the G3 IPhone . This device makes it almost antiquated to use a Desk top PC or any other form of telephone. The security and added functionality added to this second generation of IpHone has opened the door for use in business and exploded the possibilities of it's use. Many appplications are now at your finger tips and with the ability to use WIFI for connecting to the web has opneed up the use of ASP applications for Apartment marketing and rental applications enabling the person to use the phone as if they are at heir desk in the office to take calls, offer rental availblility and rental rates , send brochures to prospects and to demonstrate simulations and property and model tours.
All on your IPhone !!!
[Post New] 04/21/2009 09:59:56 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Louis Nimkoff

Joined: 11/13/2008 12:18:15
Messages: 10
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The challenge is the balancing act between using technology to lever your ability to do your job, and keep up with what's going on. E-mail, for example, out-of-control. The ability to so easily copy people on e-mails has made it that we gets hundreds of e-mails each day and are expected to reply to them all, or at least know what's in them. Blackberry is a great tool, but I can't spend my life on it either.
[Post New] 04/25/2009 20:01:21 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Diane Rice

Joined: 04/05/2009 20:56:27
Messages: 27
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One of the challenges we face is upgrading our software. Because we are opening a second office, we need to have web-based accounting for access to those we delegate tenant record keeping to. Another very important reality is that we must prepare for the youth to take our places in the future, and they will not use our outdated antiquated methods! Trends have shown that our youth are not following us... we have to follow them... (somewhat).
[Post New] 06/19/2009 15:52:26 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Terry Barnes

Joined: 06/19/2009 15:26:23
Messages: 3
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Where would we be without technology. It is a constant challenge that each company faces. It seems like something new appears each week. We hardly have time to relate to the past innovation. However, great most of these are, there are also downfalls. Seems like we answer e-mails all day and even during our evenings, weekends, holidays and vacations. It is difficult to have any down time and relax from our professions.
[Post New] 06/23/2009 10:38:44 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Owen Ahearn

Joined: 10/29/2008 19:29:04
Messages: 64
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The development of PDA's and wireless devices has made great advances in the property management industry. Those who chose not to evolve along with the hardware and the software are either at a professional crossroads or have been bypassed already by more technologically advanced employees. One must obviously have an asset management or property management background to first succeed in this industry, as well as knowledge and expertise in computers and other electronic devices.

It is difficult at times to stay away from our Blackberry's and other devices. In the past we would have had to go into the office on the weekend. Now we can log in from our home, from our car and while away at vacation. We can have access to documents and information online or through handhelds that we up until a few years ago required us to print them out and carry them with us.

Property inspections are now performed using PDA's rather than the notepad and pen. People now can read my reports rather than squirm at my handwriting. Photographs of emergency conditions can be documented immediately, rather than point, click, drive to the photodevelopment lab and print.

Every business owner and employee must determine what works best for them (in terms of technology usage and personal time). I like having the opportunity to view my emails at home as well as on my handheld. There are numerous advantages in technology. I definitely like having options!
[Post New] 06/23/2009 15:29:53 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Stephen Kleva

Joined: 04/08/2009 12:21:14
Messages: 4
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My name is Stephen Kleva, president and CEO of Insparisk, a national safety inspection company. We manage safety inspection for boilers, elevators, fire detection/suppression systems, building facades, and other equipment.

In our experience, preventative maintenance activities including equipment inspection benefit greatly from the use of technology. (We’ve have developed proprietary technology for our services.)
Technology came relatively late to facility management, but as prices continue to fall and the user friendliness of applications increases, it is becoming a very useful tool for management of even small to mid-sized facilities. And although technology is no panacea, it does help to manage many of the tasks and responsibilities associated with safety and maintenance activities.

In a nutshell, technology can help track and manage information, which leads to greater efficiency and data and information that is more easily accessible and visible and can more easily support decision making. Inspection- and maintenance-related documents and information can be easily archived, located and retrieved, significantly reducing incidents of misfiled or lost documents.

A wide variety of applications and functionality is available at many price points today. Applications enable facility managers to better manage and verify their maintenance activities including repairs, routine inspections, and preventive maintenance and report them to other stakeholders.

Significantly, insurance companies, property owners and real estate managers benefit from a comprehensive electronic record of safety inspection and maintenance activities. If liability questions arise, electronic records enable audit trails and accountability that help decision makers/an organization defend itself by showing that all required maintenance was performed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, legal requirements and on schedule.

Maintenance activities can easily be prompted, email reminders automatically sent to ensure that maintenance is performed according to schedule, management can monitor the status of activities, and communication amongst all relevant stakeholders is facilitated.

[Post New] 03/11/2010 18:30:27 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
William Wenger

Joined: 03/08/2010 12:40:36
Messages: 1
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Anyone have knowledge of capable vendor for property management virtual office hosting, software, solutions, operation and maintenance?
[Post New] 04/30/2010 23:28:34 Subject: Re:Technology: Challenges and Issues [Up]
Eric Orsbon

Joined: 04/02/2010 10:23:32
Messages: 13
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I just added Yahoo pingboxes to our websites. It's a box you can put on any website by copying and pasting in html code that allows website visitors to chat with you on yahoo messenger. So when my leasing agents are in the office they leave Yahoo Messenger open so prospects can ask instant leasing questions!

See: http://messenger.yahoo.com/pingbox
And in action on our websites at: www.TheUWTowers.com and www.TheStatesider.com
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