Page 6 - New England Condominium December 2020

6 NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -DECEMBER 2020 NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM their administrative processes over to digital and automated methods were able steady increase in users even before the “We’re seeing more and more buildings tion is probably too expensive for resi- to adapt as rapidly as the facts on the pandemic began, especially with the rise upgrade during this time,” he says, “es- ground did.” This was especially helpful during the in the six months since the beginning of issues or a malfunctioning intercom. For ucts like CCTV, ways to secure property depths of the first wave back in the spring, the coronavirus crisis, from April through example, in the six months from April though key fobs and cards, also intercom says Kestenbaum. “Think of a property September, he says they’ve seen a 55.6% through September, we’ve seen a 108% products that work with smartphones— manager who may be quarantined off- site,” he says. “Instead of flying blind, they of which have been handled by Carson’s the Carson app. New inquiries are up and technologies and will continue to evolve, can log in, see everything that’s going on 24/7 Remote Doorman services. Remote steadily growing. There are more in the becoming more and more sophisticated.” at their client buildings, leave instruc- tions for staff, review photos and service who buzz couriers and other delivery as access control and intercom apps. Ours pens in the future when it comes to the notes of a broken fixture—that is really people into the building. They verify who is a stand-alone app, and Carson is pretty increasing use of technology depends on empowering.” “Technology for security and access them in. The delivery people leave the terms of security, if there’s no doorman, dents are more sophisticated today and control systems, video intercoms, online package in a designated locked area or how are people getting in? Duplicate keys have a higher level of expectation for the payments, package tracking, communi- cation tools, and virtual tours platforms without interrupting the resident, which ings phase these out and provide access op or condo dweller of even a decade or already exist and are under refinement,” is important now that so many people are through the Carson app directly through two ago. Access control for their front says Neil Golub, director of sales for Car- son, another provider of tech services for rupted,” says Golub. “We instantly notify comes a key.” residential properties. “With COVID, the resident that property managers, staff, and residents a package is there need to operate remotely more than ever by whatever their before. With staff not in office, the Cloud preferred has become even more important for its ability to make working online more ef- ficient, and remote operations are es- sential—especially for digital payments. phone call. We’re seeing expedited adoption of these services now. Also, anything related to nage, permanent cleanliness is a plus.” “When we think about steps that ev- eryone needs to take during the pandem- ic,” says Larry Link, a real estate developer increasingly popular in common spaces new Contactless Package Pickup. We’ve port them. in New Haven, Connecticut, “we think in many Florida communities,” says Kra- about social distancing, masks, limited vit. “For instance, digital signage units app for residents, so they can gain entry changing the way we lived as apartment gatherings, etc. With this in mind, one are an excellent option in mail rooms for without needing a key or fob. We helped dwellers before the COVID pandemic thing that the technology we integrated communicating with unit owners. Also, buildings address their need to screen and started, the arrival of the virus has both into our building systems includes is ac- cess through key fobs or cards, provid- ing residents with access to the property managers, and many have integrated with ing forms. We’ve also just released a new ease for residents and emerged as a practi- both cleanly and remotely. \\\\\\\[Electronically accounts payable software programs that Inspections feature, helping properties cal method to battle the silent enemy. Ne- enabled\\\\\\\] keys can be issued to any pre- screened person who can then come to checks and get their vendors paid.” the property and gain one-time tempo- rary access—for apartment cleaning or efits of remote access technology. “We package delivery, for instance. However, actually haven’t had a very big impact on have installed touchless countertop or seek needed solutions. And boards and I wouldn’t limit this tech solution to just management from COVID,” he says, “but kiosk temperature scanners in their lob- something that aided us during the pan- demic; it’s something that makes manage- ment easier overall, pandemic or not.” And, adds Marcy Kravit, COO of Bro- ken Sound Master Association in Boca a net positive to be able to get someone purify spaces and attack germs are being Raton, Florida, “the coronavirus pan- demic has posed serious issues for con- dominium life. As a result of the crisis, never have to be home. Limited key entry communicate with their owners and an- managers have been forced to shift gears can be offered to anyone, and it is tracked nounce guest arrivals and deliveries.” in the way they are handling certain tasks via timestamping. “We also have video and operations—and technology has evidence for confirmation and control,” played an important role in delivering the Link continues. “The package room is fit- same level of services as were provided ted with remote notification to recipients, adoption of Cloud-based technologies, in person before the pandemic began. E- communications via various apps ranging and common areas as well. If there are too ity to operate remotely. While security from conventional email to phone-based many people in the space, we can man- notification systems and text messaging age it. Limiting in-person contact with all become essential, I haven’t seen tempera- are critical for announcements, especially these video-based and other controls is ture and thermal devices take off in the when implementing and explaining an very valuable in battling COVID.” association’s COVID policies and proce- dures.” How Does It Work? Golub says his company has seen a at the building level, and the user level. buildings going forward. Facial recogni- in e-commerce in recent years. However, pecially buildings that may have security anyway, but security and visitation prod- increase in deliveries per resident, most increase in resident door openings via these continue to be the most sought-after Doorman enlists live remote operators security space requesting software, such they are by camera and code and buzz much a software delivery company. In who is using it. He maintains that resi- a cage. “We get them into the building are a good example. We are seeing build- working from home and can’t be inter- means of communication is.” That could be email, text, or a “Digital sig- screens with alter- nating messages, are also becoming banks are offering online lockbox servic- es for both unit owners and community premises with brand new COVID screen- make it easy for board members to sign establish protocols around property-wide cessity has been the mother of invention. Link concurs with Golub on the ben- having this technology has helped with bies to protect their residents. High-po- getting vendors into the building, which tency air filtration systems that include on, “it’s our job to maintain the property we would need in any event. Its benefits germ-killing UV lights and the MERV-15 and provide a positive environment for are not COVID exclusive though.” It’s grade/HEPA air filters used in hospitals to our residents.” like a cleaning service employee into the considered, especially in fitness centers. building or unit with remote access. You Many associations are also using apps to too. Our system also tracks use of the gym giving managers and residents the abil- Accelerating Adoption Golub stresses that COVID has expe- dited the adoption of technology, both need for this in high-rise \\\\\\\[residential\\\\\\\] their phone to let you in. Your phone be- “We’ve developed newer buildings, as has fob or card access solutions to increase to apartment and amenity space doors. residents’ safety and Dedicated, integrated security systems, convenience, and to data and cable, and wifi access are all help managers adapt becoming standard issue, even in small to new requirements,” buildings. Luxury isn’t limited to full- says Kestenbaum. “Residents can now expensive—staffs; small can be luxury, pick up a package too, if you can check all the boxes. Link without touching a strongly recommends ‘future-proofing’ signature pad at the your building by assessing both your cur- front desk, using the rent needs and future aspirations, and in- resident mobile app’s vesting in the tech infrastructure to sup- built touchless access control into the track visitors and contractors entering the doubled-down on efforts to use technol- inspections and routine cleaning of com- mon areas.” Kravit adds, “Many condominiums and are integrating their technology to What’s on the Horizon? “For multifamily properties,” says Golub, “we’re seeing an increase in the and visitor communication products have multifamily segment yet. Office buildings have been adopting touchless systems and dispatched elevators, and there may be a dential communities, and may be overkill Link points out that a lot of what hap- technology they use than the typical co- door without a doorman, for instance, has become almost de rigueur in many service buildings with extensive—and While the technological revolution was ogy to provide security, cleanliness, and Providers have been quick to apply tech- nology to the challenges of the pandemic managers are getting on board; as Kravit says, whether or not there’s a global crisis n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for New England Condominium, and a pub- lished novelist. TECHNOLOGY... continued from page 1 “With COVID, property managers, staff, and residents need to operate remotely more than ever before.” — Neil Golub