CAI-NJ Jan. 2022(w)

GAME CHANGER... from page 44.

is tracking to know where maintenance staff and property managers are as problems arise. Working with vendors and tradespeople who have imple- mented this technology lets us know when to expect them onsite. For example, about two months ago, a vendor was onsite at a property. Unfortunately, the technician had to esca- late the work to another level requiring additional equipment. However, immediately after contacting the cesspool company, they could track when the new team with other equipment could be expected at the property while on the phone. In addition, it allows the property manager onsite to now contact the office with status updates, including how much needed additional time before the job was complete. There are also tracking applications used both for pay- roll and work orders. We have given several a test drive, including Busy Busy, ClockShark, and Tsheets, now owned by Quickbooks. These become payroll tracking apps, but when there is an emergency, it allows users to dispatch the closest team member to the site of the issue. So, what›s next? You may have heard that 60 percent of the jobs today won’t exist when today’s students enter the job market. It seems like a scary thought unless, of course, you’re in the field of community management. There will also be a need for the managers, accountants, attorneys, and tradespeo- ple that serve the communities to; enforce the rule of law; apply tax codes of the IRS and replenish the hourglass. The question is how technology will evolve to make our buildings more sustainable and human resources more effi- ciently. Several organizations are at the forefront, including US Green Building Council that issues the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Technologies are available to maintain HVAC-controlled comfort zones to control the balance of heating and cooling within a build- ing where it is needed. With all-new technology, there will be a learning curve. However, the ability to adapt and implement technology will help you achieve the expectations to make you the game-changer for your board and communities. n

Do One Thing Easier Tips from the CAI-NJ Editorial Committee O ne of the most useful tools that I have added to my arsenal in recent years was a tablet (spe- cifically, a Microsoft Surface). Although it seems simple, using a tablet has had an immense impact on my organization. Prior to having a tablet, I took handwritten notes in the same spiral notebooks that I used in college. This was great until it came time to locate a specific note, which led to a manhunt through various pages in multiple notebooks looking for that one piece of information. Utilizing Microsoft One Note (a note taking appli- cation in Microsoft Office) within my Surface has allowed me to organize my notes by client, project, etc. The best part is that they are always with me! Even if I forget my Surface at home, I can still access all of my notes from my computer or cell phone. — Michael Mezzo, CPA, WilkinGuttenplan Y ou can now scan a document on iPhone using the notes feature. It takes a scan of your document(s), centers it and saves it to your notes. You can email or message to someone directly from your notes. Not sure if there’s an Android companion. The other one I’ve used for years is AudioNote — you can record meetings or conversations and save them to the cloud. At any point during the meeting, you can type in what the conversation is about — say “minutes approval”. At any time after that you can go directly to that portion of the meeting as it’s labeled for quick reference. — Larry Thomas, PCAM, Taylor Management Company, AAMC, AMO

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