Integrating corporate real estate financial reporting into a single systems solution

Abstract

To identify and prioritise real estate management requirements, Accruent recently surveyed 100 real estate executives, more than half at companies with revenues exceeding US$1bn. The results indicate that the vast majority are looking for better ways to manage their real estate portfolios. Pressured by fast growth and stringent new regulatory reporting requirements, real estate professionals are turning in increasing numbers to centralised systems of record that can track and manage all financial transactions. Until recently, these systems were difficult to justify. Manual processes and spreadsheets were considered sufficient and a ‘just pay it’ mentality prevailed, largely because real estate was considered a fixed cost. While the concept of a centralised enterprise‐wide data repository has long been a topic of discussion among visionaries, new technologies are making the vision a practical reality. It is now possible to implement viable systems of record in cost‐effective stages, beginning with lease administration and extending into other business management systems. Though the effort of implementing systems of record can be considerable, many consider it well worth while because it provides companies with the opportunity to improve existing operational processes significantly.