4 Technology Tools to Improve Your Association Management Operations

Community association management firms often tend to drag their feet on adopting the latest technological innovations, to the detriment of themselves and their clients.

“Our industry historically has been a little behind the curve when it comes to pushing for more advanced technology. There are only a small handful of technology companies in our space,” says Katie Anderson, CEO of Aperion Management Group, LLC, which manages around 65 associations in central Oregon.

“We need to be open to technology that allows us to provide a high level of service,” says Brad van Rooyen, founder and senior member of Tampa, Fla.-based HomeRiver Group and its national specialist for community association management, which operates more than 230 associations in three states.

According to Paul Grucza, principal with PDG and Associates, consultants for the association management industry, the slow adoption of technology comes with a price. “There are those companies still out there using old-time technology that really doesn’t help them do the best they can for their clients in the most efficient way possible,” he says.

While cost can pose an obstacle for some firms, Anderson says that should be less of a factor these days. “There was some consolidation in the association software market a few years ago, and you started to see the venture capital money coming in and moving software forward. That makes it more obtainable for smaller and medium-sized firms. There are a lot more options now.”

Van Rooyen’s company is among those that find the need to keep up technologically apparent.

“We’re making an investment because more and more of the world is self-service, and technology costs less than people cost,” he says. “There’s always going to be a human element to this business, but adopting technology is going to help keep our operation costs affordable and in turn keep management fees affordable.”

If that isn’t enough of an incentive for you, consider that more associations are beginning to demand a certain level of tech savvy from their managers. “I have started to see in some requests for proposals where associations are asking about technology so they can compare us with our competitors,” van Rooyen says.

In a new article, we’ll share four of the latest tech developments that can help your management firm increase its efficiency, customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, your bottom line.

Read the full article here: Top Technology Trends for Improving Your Profitability

Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President