Implementation Support

Yardi Professional Services

By Erica Rascón on Dec 4, 2015 in People

The Yardi Professional Services Group (PSG) is available to help clients get the most out of their new software as quickly as possible. PSG assists clients with project management, implementation services, needs analysis, data conversion, training and technical support. With the backing of PSG, clients can experience timely, seamless product implementation.

JBG Companies is a management firm that supervises 24 million square feet of multifamily, retail, and hospitality assets. After using Yardi Voyager 6 for six years, JBG upgraded to Yardi Voyager 7S earlier this summer.

Before conversion, PSG established a testing environment in which JBG managers could execute their daily protocols, edit menus and option settings. Adi Englander, Vice President of Financial Systems at JBG, explains how PSG supported her team during the tests.

“We compiled everyone’s issues after each testing period and worked with Yardi to address and manage those processes,” begins Englander. “PSG originally sent a few process experts of their own to sit down with users and give them an overview of some of the changes that might affect their groups so that they knew what to look out for. [The users] were more prepared than just me telling them what I think those things may change.”

PSG experts provided onsite, customized tutorials for personnel at JBG. Englander says, “We had the residential group sit with somebody from PSG, the management people, the construction guys, the commercial side, the lease admin– everyone sat with somebody from PSG for a few hours in the beginning.”

The thorough testing and individualized attention made conversion a more efficient process for JBG. “We did not have a lot of problems in that area. I expected we’d have a lot of problems, that reports would just not run, but they continued to run,” Englander laughs. “That was a pleasant surprise.”

While onsite, PSG also took the opportunity to ensure that JBG personnel could leverage the benefits of other products, such as Yardi Advanced Budgeting and Forecasting™. “As the PSG guys were meeting with the groups, they certainly asked if they had any pain points or particular areas that you think you should be using the system for, but you have workarounds outside of the system,” says Englander. “We definitely discussed some of that. Day-to-day, it turned out that we were using the functionality that exists in a proper manner. There wasn’t a lot of process tweaking.”

Having PSG assist with the implementation sped up the procedure while giving JBG staff the comfort and assurance needed to tackle the conversion. “I believe that we got a better comfort level by having used PSG,” says Englander. “Whenever there was a problem, I would go to them and they would do the research and figure it out. I also felt that if things weren’t to go as well as we had hoped, Yardi would assist us because they were already engaged. If you go to someone else, you’re not quite going to the premiere source. If it’s Yardi, you know that they’re responsible. It’s their software.”

PSG facilitates an enduring relationship between Yardi and its clients. It is a relationship rooted in accountability, collaboration, and a shared interest in offering stellar professional services. With the assistance of PSG, clients can enjoy product implementations that are timely, successful, and smooth. “I think I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out,” Englander says. “Being better prepared is always the right answer.”