As real estate markets evolve, so do the technologies that support them. Today, 66% of real estate companies view technology as a core business strategy, not just an IT problem. Also, 71.6% now use cloud-based CRM tools to manage client relationships, which underscores the shift toward digital-first operations. Although, despite this momentum, 61% of organisations remain burdened by legacy systems and 37.3% still rely on on-premises setups – limiting data accessibility, creating operational silos and reducing performance visibility.
Commercial real estate (CRE) professionals, including fund managers, asset managers and property owners and operators, require more than disparate tools. They need a comprehensive, scalable platform that aligns with their investment goals and operational complexity. In this blog, we will outline the six essential capabilities to prioritise when selecting a real estate investment and property management solution – along with key questions to consider.
1. End-to-End Property and Financial Management
Managing a property portfolio involves multiple phases – acquisition, development, leasing, operations, capital improvements and eventual disposition. However, many organisations continue to use siloed solutions to manage these processes.
Ask yourself:
- Does your property management platform support all asset types, or can it scale to support new asset additions to your portfolio (retail, industrial, residential, mixed-use, etc.)?
- Can it manage the full investment lifecycle, from deal sourcing to asset disposition?
- Does it connect financial planning, construction, leasing, tenant relations and maintenance workflows?
Why it matters:
A single-stack solution such as Yardi’s Commercial Suite, which covers Office, Retail and Industrial assets, equips real estate firms with end-to-end tools across the entire property lifecycle. It removes duplication, simplifies administration, supports capital projects, enables preventative maintenance and enhances visibility into acquisition pipelines. By providing a unified view of portfolio health, the platform contributes to stronger decision-making skills and ensures all stakeholders, from leasing and asset management to fund administration, are aligned on the same data.
2. Building the Right Foundation for Enterprise AI Adoption
Unified data environments are crucial for both operational success and innovation. The foundation for successful enterprise-wide AI adoption is centralised, structured data. According to Morgan Stanley Research, AI can automate 37% of tasks in real estate, representing $34 billion in operating efficiencies. Yet, fragmented systems continue to obstruct data analysis, delay reporting and hinder AI adoption.
Ask yourself:
- Is your data centralised and accessible in real-time?
- Can your property and asset management software support advanced analytics and automation at scale?
- Are security, backup and governance protocols in place?
Why it matters:
Centralised data empowers organisations to deliver real-time dashboards, actionable KPIs and enables future AI adoption. Solutions such as Yardi Data Connect consolidate operational, leasing, financial and investor data into a single platform, enabling advanced AI capabilities and improving decision-making. With more than 79% of UK real estate leaders planning to adopt AI and a further 60% anticipating it to significantly impact operations from enhanced data analysis to process automation, establishing a single source of truth has never been more essential.
Learn more about the impact of data fragmentation and how it limits performance in our latest blog on the benefits of digital transformation.
3. Seamless Integration with Accounting & Operational Systems
Disconnected tools often create data inconsistencies and operational inefficiencies. Approximately 58.2% of companies are now transitioning from on-premises to cloud-based accounting software, underscoring the need for fully integrated solutions.
Ask yourself:
- Can your real estate investment management platform consolidate property and fund-level data without manual reconciliation?
- Can you manage capital accounts, distributions and reporting in the same property management platform?
- Is the real estate investment software equipped to handle complex financial structures?
Why it matters:
Seamless connection with property investment software reduces risk, improves accuracy and accelerates reporting. For instance, with Yardi Investment Accounting, operational and accounting functions are integrated into a single ecosystem. It supports automated capital calls, waterfall calculations, distribution management and multi-tiered investment structures – all while linking directly with operational data from Yardi Voyager. This integration eliminates data duplication, increases accuracy and reduces reporting turnaround time. It also provides decision-makers with a clearer financial picture, improving both risk management and investor transparency.
4. Scalability Across Asset Classes, Structures & Geographies
As firms diversify their investment strategies/portfolios across regions, currencies and asset types, their technology must evolve. 30% of CIOs report that outdated technology consumes over 20% of their IT budgets – restricting their ability to respond quickly to market shifts or changes in operational structure.
Ask yourself:
- Can your property management platform scale across international regions, currencies and legal structures?
- Can it support layered capital stacks, joint ventures and mixed-use developments?
- Does it accommodate varying regulatory environments?
Why it matters:
Scalable platforms enable firms to grow without reinvesting in new technology for every market shift. Yardi’s adaptable architecture supports international expansion and multi-structure investment models – helping firms launch new vehicles, enter new markets and maintain compliance with local regulations.
5. Compliance & Regulatory Reporting
With increasing regulatory demands from SFDR, INREV and other frameworks, compliance is top-of-mind for CRE leaders. Manual reporting methods, often reliant on spreadsheets, are not only time-consuming but also prone to errors.
Ask yourself:
- Can your real estate asset management software generate SFDR, INREV and other regulatory reports automatically?
- Does it provide data traceability and audit trails?
- Is it adaptable to new compliance standards?
Why it matters:
Integrated reporting tools reduce dependence on third-party providers and lower the risk of non-compliance. Yardi’s advanced reporting capabilities automate disclosures in line with major global frameworks, offering customisable templates, scheduled delivery and complete audit trails. By replacing manual spreadsheets with consistent, centralised reporting, teams can focus more on strategic planning and analysis rather than time-consuming administrative tasks.
6. Proven Track Record & Ongoing Support
Choosing the right platform is also about selecting the right partner. According to hitech research, poor integration can cost companies $15 million (£11 million) per year, resulting in reduced productivity, lower customer satisfaction and lost revenue.
Ask yourself:
- Does your provider offer comprehensive onboarding and training?
- Is live support available, along with self-service resources?
- Are there regular product updates and opportunities for feedback?
Why it matters:
Technology is only as effective as its implementation. Partnering with a proven real estate technology partner such as Yardi ensures your organisation unlocks the full value of its investment and stays ahead of evolving market trends.
For further guidance in finding a property management solution that meets your commercial needs, download our checklist or connect with our team to discover how Yardi’s purpose-built, cloud real estate software can streamline your operations.