As technology advances, crime keeps pace. Modern lawbreakers can now hold lives hostage from afar. It’s all because of type of malicious software called ransomware. These programs are designed to lock down computers and data until a monetary demand is paid. When these viruses first cropped up, they generally targeted users indiscriminately by casting a wide net of spam emails and infected links, waiting for an unsuspecting web surfer to bite. Your computer would freeze, or your data would disappear under encryption, and you’d be treated to a pop-up asking you to pay up. But cyber criminals have gotten more sophisticated with their methodology just as the technology itself has evolved. These hackers now increasingly target health care organizations for their vast wealth of confidential medical records, which can be sold on the dark web for up to $1,000 each. At the same time, the attackers can deny access to the health care organization’s systems, including their electronic health records and medical administration solutions. This can have huge consequences for caregiving. Since most health organizations now rely on tablet-based charts, staff are left without medical histories and care plans to ensure proper treatment, putting their patients’ lives at risk. Long-term care under attack Hospitals aren’t the only care facilities affected by ransomware. Criminals have begun targeting businesses who handle the IT service needs for smaller organizations in health care – including senior living providers. This way, hackers can infiltrate hundreds of client businesses from a single breach. It’s what recently happened to Virtual Care Provider Inc, based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On November 17, a criminal group encrypted the data of their entire customer base: 110 skilled nursing and acute care providers in 45 states. Resident records were locked, internet access blocked and medication...

You’ve finally found your dream real estate management software. You’re pumped about the efficiencies that your organization will gain and the money that it will save. But before you can reach those results, you’ve got to get your staff on board. Without proper employee buy-in, the implementation process will be slow, tedious, and less productive. The six tips below can improve employee buy-in. Get leadership enthusiastic about the new technology. C-Level and mid-tier leadership need to understand the benefits that new technology will offer them and their teams. They also need to receive answers to their questions well before implementation begins. With those two factors in place, leadership is better able to present the change to their teams with confidence and gusto. “Ensuring they’re informed and can provide input throughout the transition are essential in earning their support,” states Elizabeth Dukes, employee experience expert at Inc.com. Pinpoint the administrative tasks that devour staff’s time. Understand the pain points around the current workflow. Explore any non-essential tasks that hamper productivity. Then explain how the new real estate management software will address those issue. Note how the technology will streamline day-to-day workflows, permitting staff to focus more on what matters most. Identify inconsistencies in task execution. Inconsistencies are often a red flag. They indicate a point in the process that seems too time-consuming for staff to complete properly. Reiterate the importance and benefits of following protocols. Then show employees how the new software can make it easier for them to achieve consistency. 4. Educate staff on role-based, flexible training software. Employees dread learning new programs for several reasons: Some trainings are too broad, wasting their time on information that is not applicable to their job. Most trainings cater to auditory learners, which make up only 30...

Choosing the right property management software determines the efficiency and productivity of your organization. Jumpstart your selection process with these eight simple questions. Is the software installed at the premises or cloud-based?This is a matter of preference. Some organizations prefer installed software because data access does not depend upon an internet connection. The industry, however, shifts towards cloud-based platforms. Such web-based software permits users to access the data in the office, in the field and anywhere in between. Cloud-based solutions often include updates for the latest improvements and changes in compliance. Staff is free to focus on their roles, not the nuances of software.   What security and backup procedures are available? Cloud security services combine convenience with safety. Ensure that your cloud-based software offers data recovery, encryption and around-the-clock server operation monitoring.   Is the pricing model determined by the number of users or units? Software may be priced per licensed user or per unit. Licensing by user may be convenient for organizations with few employees and limited plans for growth. Pricing by unit allows the greatest flexibility and scalability. Staff growth and software usage are not hampered by paid licenses.   Is the product out-of-the-box or customizable? Turnkey solutions offer the ability the hit the ground running. Customizable systems will suite your portfolio more precisely and grow with you as your needs change.   Does the software integrate with other services necessary for your business? A fully integrated platform makes daily operations easier. The suite keeps data consistent between services such as accounting, leasing, resident screening, marketing, maintenance, and utility billing.   When is technical support available? Emergencies don’t wait for convenient office hours. Check support service hours to ensure that you can receive assistance on weekdays as well as weekends. Read...

Five years ago this month, Yardi eLearning was officially launched to the world. Like every successful software product, there is an interesting back story to Yardi’s online staff training management solution. Did you know that Yardi eLearning was originally conceived as part of a MBA thesis by a Yardi employee? Yves Hajjar came to Yardi in 2011, and at the time was working on his MBA. Read Yves’ story here. Patty Evans, manager of training for Yardi, heard of Yves’ masters project shortly after his arrival at Yardi. The two quickly teamed up and began to design what eventually became Yardi eLearning. “I read the press release announcing a new real estate training service we were offering at Yardi. That announcement inspired me to consider how we could create an online learning platform for our clients and staff. Simultaneously, Yves was pitching his masters project to Yardi management as a potential client-facing product for learning management. We quickly connected with each other, and the rest is history,” said Evans. For months, Patty and Yves worked on creating a functional learning management system. Yves focused on redesigning the product’s framework and interface. Patty worked evenings and weekends on the first set of courses. Those courses were eventually launched in October 2012 as Simpson Housing used Yardi eLearning to train employees during their launch of Yardi Voyager. “Simpson was a great experience for us. Their employees and properties are spread across four regions. Yardi eLearning helped Simpson Housing deliver standardized training through a single online interface without the trouble and travel costs of hosting onsite classroom sessions in multiple areas,” said Evans. Over the past five years, Yardi eLearning has grown significantly in number of daily active users, markets supported and number of courses offered. Yardi...

Team Yardi brought something different to the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) annual tradeshow and convention this year: brand new software! Our staff was excited to introduce the crowd in Orlando to Yardi Breeze, refreshingly simple software designed to make work easier for smaller owners, investors and managers. This completely new platform is very different than any property management software you may have tested before. It’s intuitive to use, quick to implement and works on any device. See everything you need at a glance – in your office, at home or on the go. Better still, live chat support is just a click away within the platform. Priced at only $1 per unit per month and backed by our years of industry experience and reliable accounting, Yardi Breeze is the next big thing for small business. Although it won’t be widely available until January, we were excited to show Breeze off for the first time at this particular show. We can’t think of a more fitting audience! What residential manager doesn’t need a better solution that’s simple, reliable and a breeze to use? NARPM attendees had a great time “test driving” the software, giving the Yardi team their feedback and winning prizes. We plan on officially rolling out Breeze in 2018, but if you want to learn more, you can request a preview now. While you’re waiting, follow Breeze on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for sneak peeks and exclusive content for smaller...

Global real estate technology provider Yardi has been named for the second time to the Forbes Cloud 100, the definitive list of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world. Yardi was a member of the inaugural Cloud 100 in 2016, moving up to the #26 spot on the list in 2017. Published by Forbes in collaboration with Bessemer Venture Partners, the list will appear in the July 27, 2017 issue of Forbes magazine and is available at forbes.com/cloud100. “We’re honored that Forbes chose to recognize our efforts to provide industry-leading cloud solutions for our clients for the second straight year,” said Anant Yardi, founder and president of Yardi. “Our cloud-based software serves real estate and investment companies of all sizes around the globe.” The Forbes 2017 Cloud 100 was selected by a panel of judges representing leading public cloud companies, using qualitative and quantitative data submitted by nominees, along with third-party data sources. The evaluation process involved four factors: estimated valuation (30%), operating metrics (20%), people & culture (15%) and market leadership (35%), which the judge panel then weighed to select, score and rank the winners. With that data, the Forbes Cloud 100 judge panel, made up of a majority of public cloud company CEOs, was then responsible for selecting and ranking the top 100 companies from all over the world. “Our inaugural Cloud 100 list showed the tech and venture capital community just how many standout private cloud companies there are to watch, and this year’s list is no exception,” said Forbes editor of the Cloud 100 list Alex Konrad. “Forbes has a keen eye for businesses, and combining that with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures’ deep knowledge of the cloud industry, any company’s inclusion on the Forbes 2017 Cloud...

NEW YORK (Sept. 7, 2016) – Real estate technology provider Yardi is part of the first-ever Forbes 2016 Cloud 100, the definitive list of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, developed in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners. To view the list, please visit www.forbes.com/cloud100. The list will appear in the October 4, 2016 issue of Forbes magazine. “We’re honored that Forbes chose to recognize our efforts to provide industry-leading cloud solutions for our clients,” said Anant Yardi, founder and president of Yardi. “This is a tremendous acknowledgement of the work we have done over the last decade to transition our products and clients to the cloud.” “Cloud companies are revolutionizing how businesses reach their customers today from digitizing painful old processes to allowing them more time to focus on what they really care about—what makes their products unique,” said Forbes editor of the Cloud 100 list Alex Konrad. “Inclusion in the Forbes 2016 Cloud 100 list recognizes a company for its financial growth and excellence as recognized by customers and peers.” “These are the companies to watch!” said Byron Deeter, a leading cloud investor and partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. “The Forbes Cloud 100 companies represent the very best private companies in cloud computing. We will see category killers emerge from this list as the cloud computing continues to propel the trillion-dollar software industry.” The first-ever Forbes 2016 Cloud 100 list profiles the world’s top-tier private companies leading the cloud technology revolution, plus twenty rising stars within the field. With advancements in software, cloud security, or platform development, these companies are redefining the future for all industries and sectors. Yardi is No. 27 on the list, which includes companies like Slack, SurveyMonkey, MailChimp and Squarespace. Forbes, in partnership with Bessemer Venture...

In 2004, Yardi opened its doors in Glen Head, Oyster Bay, New York as part of the BJ Murray acquisition. The team of 16 employees set out to define a course for the fledgling office. “We faced the challenge of merging functionality, converting client platforms and creating a shared culture,” recalls Richard Malpica, Vice President and General Manager, Eastern US, Sales at Yardi. “I don’t know if there was an official strategy for [merging cultures]. I think we made it clear, from a Yardi perspective, that the company was committed to integrating the group and growing together,” says Malpica. “It was really a matter of understanding people’s skills and desires and plugging them into our framework. They can create a new trajectory for a long-term career with the company.” Over a span of several years, the New York office steadily found its way. Employees discovered new applications for their talents and practical ways of supporting one another along the journey. In addition to merging corporate cultures, Yardi found itself adapting to the New York culture. The market proved to be rich with opportunity but difficult to conquer. The Yardi team strived to form relationships in a market where loyalties are strong and tough to penetrate. “New York clients are the most demanding but they’re also extremely loyal. Once you get through the difficulties, the relationships are very, very strong,” Malpica says. John Caputo agrees. The Senior Server Administrator at Yardi has worked in New York since 1996. In his experience, brand loyalties have always been a challenge for growing companies in the metropolitan area. “[New York companies] have strong connections to our clients. It’s true of Yardi and other companies around here because it is such a competitive workplace. They really have a fierce...

Prologis, the global leader in industrial real estate, is a master of sustainable growth. With more than $56.0 billion in assets under management and 670 million square feet of real estate, the Yardi client has never been stronger. Prologis has consistently focused on delivering quality products and exemplary service to its global customer base. The company has earned international accolades for sustainable business practices, smart management and global competitiveness. I recently sat down with Arthur Nelson, VP Global Business Systems, for insight into their success. Progress on a global scale Corporate Knights Global 100 has named Prologis one of the World’s Most Sustainable Corporations for seven consecutive years. Prologis outperformed its international peers across 12 key performance indicators, demonstrating that the company’s enduring focus on sustainability is working. “We place high value on being a responsible corporate citizen,” Nelson explained. “One key element of that commitment is developing to internationally recognized sustainable building standards including LEED, BREEAM, CASBEE, HQE and DGNB, with the goal of certification.” In 2014, the company achieved sustainable building certifications for 27 new projects totaling 9 million square feet. The Prologis platform now boasts more than 53 million square feet of sustainable building certifications. Resource reductions are a consistent corporate priority. By the end of 2014, 68 percent of the company’s global operating portfolio had been upgraded to energy-efficient lighting. Prologis’ rooftop solar initiative has interconnected over 112 megawatts of renewable energy since 2007. In total, energy savings from energy-efficient lighting and renewable energy systems is equivalent to 400 million kWh. Cool roofing covers more than 31 percent of the company’s rooftops, reducing energy use by up to five percent in air conditioned spaces. In addition, Prologis has set goals to: Reduce energy consumption across the global portfolio 20 percent...

Energy management software from Yardi® promotes efficiency and savings following the company’s acquisition of energy services provider MCEnergy Inc. Energy management services from MCEnergy include contract negotiations with leading electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and green energy suppliers to provide reliable energy at competitive prices. Turnkey submetering solutions and energy and environmental tracking software give property managers access to energy, environmental and sustainability data and information. MCEnergy’s product offerings complement existing Yardi solutions for utility billing, energy management, submeter data administration and intelligent HVAC energy optimization software. “MCEnergy has been providing market insights and energy management services to Class A commercial and industrial clients for nearly 20 years. Teaming with Yardi is a great opportunity to strengthen and extend our offerings on a national level and provide these services to the residential as well as commercial real estate communities. We are thrilled to join Yardi,” said Margaret M. Carey, president of MCEnergy. “Yardi continues to focus on advancing our clients’ energy-related objectives by providing options to actively manage consumption, cut costs and support environmental initiatives within a single full-business software platform. Acquiring MCEnergy is the latest step toward that goal, and we look forward to welcoming their energy, real estate and software expertise to Yardi,” said Gordon Morrell, executive vice president of Yardi. About MCEnergy Inc. MCEnergy, based in Valhalla, N.Y., is a world-class energy information and procurement company. MCEnergy helps clients secure energy at competitive prices, meter and track energy usage, calculate carbon footprints, institute green initiatives, manage data exporting for clients participating in the EPA EnergyStar Program and maximize recovery of utility revenue. The company advises hundreds of companies, from Fortune 500 to medium and small energy users. In 2005, MCEnergy was awarded the Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certification by New York...

Yardi has been recognized for its self-storage technology platform by Inside Self-Storage, an industry publication for storage providers. The company won the Best Technology Innovation category in the 2015 Best of Business awards. It’s the latest honor for the company’s move into the self-storage business, which began in early 2014 with the acquisition of Salt Lake City-based Centershift. Today, that product is part of Yardi’s Genesis2 offering, targeted directly to self-storage providers. Genesis2 is the first single platform, device-agnostic, full suite solution, complete with robust accounting capability and customer management portals. “This is just the tip of the iceberg, from an innovation standpoint, for Yardi in the self-storage market,” said Mark Smith, Director of Self Storage Marketing for Yardi. The company also offers platforms for the industry’s largest storage providers. Yardi Genesis2 is designed for the property manager who wears every hat. Typically managing a small to mid-sized portfolio, they need comprehensive, mobile solution that makes juggling multiple tasks easier. Lauded features include best-practice workflows, all-one-functionality, maintenance, insurance, payment processing, and tenant services. Yardi Genesis2 is available today, and you can get more information...

The future of computing, in Microsoft’s vision, is way beyond the mouse, keyboard, and touchscreen. Will this extraordinary vision of personal computing be strong enough to walk side-by-side Apple and Google? Time will tell. Let’s take a look at Microsoft’s pitch. Many had given up hope when picturing Microsoft’s future in the world of OSes, after the launch of 8 and 8.1.  But the vast majority of us has at least one device running on Windows OS, typically a PC or laptop. The press event which took place last week in Washington made spectators wonder: is this really a Microsoft conference? It was indeed Microsoft, and it made 2015 be the year that science fiction becomes real. Windows 10 will arrive in fall 2015 as a free update to Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 and will run on phones, tablet, laptops, on a massive conference-room TV, and a mind-blowing holographic headset.  Opening the session, Joe Belfiore reminded attendees what the company showed off last September regarding Windows 10. Then, news started flowing. Cortana Enters the PC Platform The witty Cortana has outgrown the Windows Phone platform and now finds a home in  Windows 10, aiding with the system’s search features. She sits nicely right next to the Start button on the desktop’s taskbar, able to perform any basic trick she does in the Windows Phone, whether she’s asked vocally or via text. Thanks to Microsoft’s cloud-based Bing brains, she is able to advise whether or not you’ll need a coat the next day by checking the forecast. She can dig on your local machine, OneDrive account, and even your business network, to find files or respond to commands through natural language queries: Belfiore asked her to find some specific PowerPoint slides and to show...

The following interview by Nisha Randhava appeared on the All Property Management blog, an industry resource on property management technology. In this digital world, where information can be accessed quickly and at any time, managing your online reputation as a property management company is critical. Learning how to access this information and keep it updated in a timely manner however, can be difficult if you do not know where to begin. The property management software Yardi Voyager, provides a reputation management feature. In addition, property managers can utilize the online leasing and resident services and property marketing sites. We spoke with Brad Setser, VP of Marketing, to learn more. APM: Please describe the product and its function. Brad: Yardi Voyager is our flagship property management and accounting platform. Voyager, plus a suite of complementary products, creates a full real estate management solution-operations, accounting and ancillary processes and services with portfolio-wide business intelligence and platform-wide mobility-for all types of real estate. We recently launched the latest version of Yardi Voyager, called Yardi Voyager 7S. One of the most significant aspects of 7S is that it’s browser-agnostic, which means the entire program can be run from any mobile device as easily as from a desktop. All new Voyager clients adopt 7S and we’re upgrading our existing clients. APM: What made you develop your product? Brad: We know that many people conduct much of their business, personal as well as work-related, on the go.We responded by developing Voyager 7S to help our clients meet the mobile expectations of their residents, tenants and investors. We wanted to make Voyager a one-stop solution where users can conduct all marketing, leasing and property maintenance operations from any mobile device. This accessibility helps our clients attract tenants and residents, retain them...

When it comes to property management software, every company’s needs are unique. But one thing many companies have in common, according to a recent survey by a software review website, is a desire to increase the operational efficiency and effectiveness of their properties through smart software solutions. Companies across many industries are finding that that their technology goals are more easily achieved when working with fewer vendors. Saving time and money and increasing productivity and efficiency are motivating factors for such a shift, not to mention that single stack technology solutions are integral to building useful databases, better serving customers, and producing dynamic business intelligence. A recent survey from software review provider Software Advice provided insight into what needs and expectations property managers have from industry-specific software.  The company’s website provides detailed reviews, comparisons and research to help property managers choose the right software. Aundraya Ruse is an Editorial Coordinator for Software Advice. She helps manage Software Advice’s content and primary research across six enterprise software markets, including property management and construction. She answered a few questions for us about overarching trends in property  management software, as revealed by the summary report findings. 1. What overall conclusions can you make about the state of the property management software industry based on the results of this survey? Ruse: We found the majority of property management software buyers in our sample are looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their property management operations. This was by far the most common reason buyers purchase property management software (based on responses from our full report). Reasons for Purchasing – High Level Overview   We also learned most of these buyers were using spreadsheets or other manual methods to manage their properties, while buyers already using property management software...

Changes and updates are on the horizon for many Yardi verticals. Many of today’s sessions prepared attendees for software updates and industry changes that will affect the way that they do business. Voyager 6 to 7S: A small step forward with many benefits With excitement brewing about the recent release of Yardi Voyager 7S, many YASC attendees were interested in learning the differences between Voyager 7S and its predecessor, Voyager 6. While it will not be a jolting conversion for most clients, there were several key changes that make the user experience more efficient and pleasurable. Project Manager Ami Kerns walked class participants through the highlights. -Users now have a new menu search bar, Favorites and History at their fingertips -Designated users can search the back end of the database, making most objects and columns searchable. -Search results now appear on a tidy pop-up window that doesn’t interfere with information and menus displayed on the page initially views. Users may now navigate through multiple screens at the same time without access to Ctrl+N—which is excellent for on tablets and devices without Control features -Voyager 6 has been rewritten using .NET, creating convenient tabs  and links for features that users utilize most -Designated users may gain access to posted batches and edit their details -PayScan 12.1 is compatible with 7S display type securities -7S allows users to enter multiple tax values for one object, then have those tax values auto-populate according to the specific GL account, expense account, or the payable account -Users can customize how payments are divided -Prepayments can be made on a non-zero receipt and multiple pre-pays can be issued on a single receipt batch -Periodic invoicing available with customizable fields Getting Revved-up for HUD Updates “Does everyone have all of the...