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Ask HN: Why are property managers slow at adopting software?

5 points by aml183 11y ago

angersock 11y ago
Better question: Why should they adopt software?
- tired_man 11y ago
  I agree. If they already use a management package, the chances of them changing are slim unless some other package is _significantly_ better, easier to run, and costs next to nothing. Otherwise, why bother? The ones who use paper probably don't really need to overhead of a computer to run software to manage their properties.
phlandis 11y ago
backwards bricks and mortar mentality
paulcole 11y ago
Same reason as everyone. They've got a workflow that works for them, they don't see the value, and it isn't worth the hassle to change the way they do things.
brudgers 11y ago
Since these days most property managers rely on ordinary smartphones and ordinary business software and ordinary websites, the implication is that most of their pain points are ordinary pain points better addressed by ordinary software than bespoke solutions...though they tend to use custom Excel spreadsheets so it's not like they're adverse to something specific. I suspect a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of what a property manager does is in meat space. Maintenance, repair, residents, rent checks, etc. are all rooted in the physical world...tenants and lawn crews aren't remote and that's where the money flows in and out. Good luck.
Mz 11y ago
For years and years, I kept medical appointments for me and both my sons (and probably the husband) in my head a year or more in advance. I never used a calendar. I couldn't comprehend why anyone did. I still don't much use a calendar, but mostly because my life doesn't have a lot of appointments. But I don't have that kind of memory anymore and I at least understand why people would if they have busy lives. A lot of times, people wanting to make a Thing to sell, like software, aren't really addressing a problem these people really have. If you thought I needed a calendar when I was young, you were flat out wrong. I didn't need it. I kept it all in my head. A calendar was not going to add value to my life. It was just going to bleed me for time, energy, money, space in my crowded apartment. It was all downside, no upside. What value are you adding to these folks lives that will be worth the dollar cost and time and effort of learning a new methodology? How does it positively impact their bottom line? I think a lot of software solutions are like calendars were once to me: Something that will line the pockets of the person selling it if you bother to buy it, but not necessarily adding anything of value to my life. What problem are you solving? How are you communicating to these people about the solution you are offering and what it can mean for them? If you want property managers to adopt some kind of software you are developing/selling, you might try answering some of those questions.

5 points by aml183 11y ago

angersock 11y ago

Better question: Why should they adopt software?

tired_man 11y ago
I agree. If they already use a management package, the chances of them changing are slim unless some other package is _significantly_ better, easier to run, and costs next to nothing. Otherwise, why bother? The ones who use paper probably don't really need to overhead of a computer to run software to manage their properties.

phlandis 11y ago

backwards bricks and mortar mentality

paulcole 11y ago

Same reason as everyone. They've got a workflow that works for them, they don't see the value, and it isn't worth the hassle to change the way they do things.

brudgers 11y ago

Since these days most property managers rely on ordinary smartphones and ordinary business software and ordinary websites, the implication is that most of their pain points are ordinary pain points better addressed by ordinary software than bespoke solutions...though they tend to use custom Excel spreadsheets so it's not like they're adverse to something specific. I suspect a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of what a property manager does is in meat space. Maintenance, repair, residents, rent checks, etc. are all rooted in the physical world...tenants and lawn crews aren't remote and that's where the money flows in and out. Good luck.

Mz 11y ago

For years and years, I kept medical appointments for me and both my sons (and probably the husband) in my head a year or more in advance. I never used a calendar. I couldn't comprehend why anyone did. I still don't much use a calendar, but mostly because my life doesn't have a lot of appointments. But I don't have that kind of memory anymore and I at least understand why people would if they have busy lives. A lot of times, people wanting to make a Thing to sell, like software, aren't really addressing a problem these people really have. If you thought I needed a calendar when I was young, you were flat out wrong. I didn't need it. I kept it all in my head. A calendar was not going to add value to my life. It was just going to bleed me for time, energy, money, space in my crowded apartment. It was all downside, no upside. What value are you adding to these folks lives that will be worth the dollar cost and time and effort of learning a new methodology? How does it positively impact their bottom line? I think a lot of software solutions are like calendars were once to me: Something that will line the pockets of the person selling it if you bother to buy it, but not necessarily adding anything of value to my life. What problem are you solving? How are you communicating to these people about the solution you are offering and what it can mean for them? If you want property managers to adopt some kind of software you are developing/selling, you might try answering some of those questions.