Commercial Investment Real Estate is the magazine of the CCIM Institute, the leading provider of commercial real estate education. CIRE covers market trends, current developments, and business strategies within the commercial real estate field.
Issue link: http://cire.epubxp.com/i/923123
CCIM.COM January | February 2018 21 Previously, Froman and his team used multiple systems, includ- ing VTS for leasing, Angus software for systems, AvidXchange for accounts payable, and MRI for accounting. While his team continues to use MRI, Workspace replaces the other programs. "The cost is less than paying for multiple systems," Froman says. "Through its efficiency, the teams can be more customer- oriented." Also, on his iPad, he can locate and find everything at his fingertips wherever he roams. On the Move On the other hand, Nick Miner, CCIM, uses the RealNex sys- tem and app for client relationship management. "The new app allows me to access all the data, giving me the ability to be more mobile," says Miner, senior vice president at Orion Investment Real Estate in Scottsdale, Ariz. Previously, he had tried Act!, CoStar ARES 2000, and Real- hound. Miner made the move to RealNex, which was previously REA, because he thought it was more stable and robust than other CRM programs. "You have to take the time to learn the system," Miner says. "And you also have to take a step back and figure out your per- sonal workflow." When he travels, Miner can maintain his office on the road with just his iPhone and iPad. "As an investment broker, it's important to have this data at my fingertips," he says. "I can email and return calls on a property wherever I am." As a CCIM senior instructor, Tom Bothen, CCIM, has to be organized when he is on the road teaching. For his business, he uses LoopNet extensively when he is seeking properties for clients to buy or lease. For more research details, Bothen searches CoStar for specific and detailed property information. For market analysis and creating client presentations, he uses the BAO portion of CCIM's Site To Do Business. For aerial maps to use for market analysis, Bothen turns to Google Earth. Using Google Earth, he recently looked at all the buildings for sale in Chicago's CBD close to the building his firm was selling. Next door to the building, Bothen saw a computer data storage facility that could be a potential buyer. His call to the company turned into negotiations to buy the building. "I figured this out in three minutes instead of traveling down- town and walking around," says Bothen, director of investment analytics at One Chicago Realty in Oak Brook, Ill. "With all these tools, in an hour I can do what used to take days to accom- plish. The accuracy of the information is much better." Sara S. Patterson is executive editor of Commercial Investment Real Estate. Advertise in CIRE Magazine to connect with 13,000 members in the CCIM global community. Build More Business Referrals CCIM business owners receive a 20% discount on select ads. Learn more at www.ccim.com/advertising