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Your Property Management Software is Probably Your Biggest Slacker: Here’s Why It Matters

In today’s fast-paced real estate environment, your property management software is more than just a tool—it serves as the backbone of your operations.

Would you promote an employee who refused to learn new tools? Would you offer a raise to someone who was unresponsive and worked at half the pace of their colleagues? If an employee needed constant hand-holding, would you want your team to learn from their example?

Probably not.

So why settle for property management software that embodies these very shortcomings? Outdated systems, cumbersome integrations, and ineffective modules are akin to a lackluster team member who can drag the entire operation down.

If the idea that “The best way to reward your overachievers is to not burden them with underachievers” applies to your staff, this same logic should apply to your property management software. Your PMS should empower your team, not create added obstacles every single day. In 2024, a “good enough” standard for technology can actually create a massive amount of added risk.  

Why make what’s already hard, even harder? 

Your teams already juggle multiple roles—marketing, customer service, financial management, building operations, sales… When you add the complexity of managing outdated software, cumbersome integrations, and unreliable data, you add "Software Expert" to this ever growing list. Modern property management software needs to simplify tasks and streamline things like reporting to create more opportunity for resident-focused efforts. A property operations software that doesn’t feel intuitive can add hours of manual clicks, head scratching, and talking in circles on a 1-800 line. By eliminating the question of “How do I even get this done?”, you create time for your teams to ask, “What else can I do today?”

Unlock Your Team’s Full Potential

It's challenging to identify performance gaps or understand a team member’s true potential when they are constantly navigating inefficient workflows. Without accurate metrics, organized tasks, and transparent data, distinguishing between actual performance issues and technology-induced problems becomes nearly impossible. Implementing innovative property management software eliminates questions of how things should get done, or where errors occur, to provide clear insights into team efficiency and performance. This allows management companies to more easily identify problem areas, provide tangible feedback, and understand how teams are falling short, or excelling. 

Attract and Retain Top Talent

In an era where users are accustomed to technology such as iPhones and Smart TVs, operating on outdated, legacy property management software can be a real deterrent. Not to mention, your pool of talent to choose is incredibly limited if a software is so learning-preventative that you can only hire for system-specific experience. The difficult learning curves with a lack of support discourage users from fully leveraging the software's capabilities. The costly modules and expensive integrations are less likely to be leveraged when they require more work than they’re worth. When employees perceive that improving their toolbox is not a priority, they can feel undervalued and start to believe that their employer is not willing to make necessary improvements. Investing in property management software that meets your team’s needs, offers robust support, and operates smoothly leads to greater employee satisfaction, trust, and retention.

Streamline Operations and Boost Productivity

One of the biggest challenges for on-site leasing teams is managing multiple tasks efficiently. Buzzwords like "centralization" and “innovation” often disappoint due to unresponsive, complicated features. When single workflows take hours and require hundreds of clicks, it disrupts focus and stifles productivity. An effective property management software can help maximize efficiency by minimizing time spent on repetitive tasks. With more time to focus on residents and collaborate with colleagues, you are generating excitement and passion for your teams versus confusion over daunting tasks. The results are not only hours back, but a transformed sense of morale and personal development that will raise everyones’ standards of success. 

Trustworthy Technology Over Empty Promises

Much like an employee who boasts about their achievements without delivering tangible results, most property management softwares overpromise and underdeliver. When you choose to sink thousands of dollars into add-ons for a software that continues to cause frustration, you prevent the ability to pour those resources into better tools and training for your team. When something necessary to running your property is offered as an expensive “module”, this reveals exactly how a software company values you, your team, and your residents. The choice for a property management software that’s responsive, offers transparent contracts, and includes necessary core features that don’t cost extra will meet your needs without redirecting, dismissing, or up-charging you. The time and dollars saved increase opportunities to pour back into your teams. 

Create Alignment, Not Arguments 

The best way to help your team feel confident is by acting as a true resource for them. When questions arise about specific KPIs, workflows, or progress- everyone should feel prepared and on the same page. A PMS that gatekeeps your data and demands manual reporting creates unalignment that can result in a lack of confidence, or even added tension. When your system allows for no-question insights, nothing comes as a shock. By allowing your team constant access to insightful dashboards, you create less risk of mistakes or inefficiencies “slipping through the cracks”. Easy to digest, visual data encourages proactive effort and collaboration that will help drive improvements across your assets before it's too late.  

Elevate Your Team with the Right Property Management Software

In today’s fast-paced real estate environment, your property management software is more than just a tool—it serves as the backbone of your operations. If you wouldn’t tolerate underperformance from your team, don’t settle for outdated or ineffective technology.
Choosing the right property management software can transform how your teams manage tasks that ultimately drive success. By investing in a robust, intuitive PMS that end-users don’t despise, you empower your team to focus on what they do best: providing exceptional service that fosters a true home for your residents, and maximizes the performance of your assets.
It seems simple enough: your PMS should enhance productivity, not hinder it. Embrace innovative solutions that offer clarity, efficiency, and ease of use- you’ll not only see improvements in your team’s effectiveness, but also boost overall satisfaction and retention. In the competitive world of property management, don’t let a sluggish system hold you back. 
Make the smart choice, and let those slackers go. 

Sarah Lopez, Fortress Account Executive

Sarah Lopez, Fortress Account Executive

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