Rolling out any new software can be a big job. Between technical hurdles and end-user expectations, an implementation process is often full of surprises.
Implementing a Yardi platform is no exception. Yardi is powerful and complex, with a vast array of customization options. Because businesses depend on Yardi for core aspects of their business, getting the implementation right is critically important.
At 33Floors we’ve helped hundreds of clients, from small rental agencies to some of the largest real estate management firms in the world, successfully implement Yardi. Over the years we’ve noticed a few avoidable mistakes that businesses can make at the implementation stage:
- Not investing time and effort upfront.
Once a firm selects Yardi as its new platform, there’s often a temptation to rush the build phase of implementation. For many businesses, Yardi is brought in to replace an existing, underperforming platform, which adds further urgency to the implementation process: Yardi can solve problems that need solutions now.Taking time to formally document business requirements and processes is crucial, not only for a successful implementation but also to get the most value from Yardi once it’s running. By analyzing and documenting the details of how a business operates, the design team can identify gaps, opportunities to achieve greater efficiencies and areas that fall short of best practices.
- Not dedicating sufficient resources to support and manage the project.
If there are IT professionals out there with not enough to do, we’ve never met them. Businesses ask their IT teams to do a lot even in ordinary times. But Yardi implementation is not an ordinary process. If internal support is not available to assist the third-party implementation team and resolve internal systems issues, delays and errors can creep in.Solving the resource crunch starts with recognizing that a Yardi implementation can be a job on its own. Putting off less urgent projects or bringing in temporary IT help may be useful strategies for freeing up permanent staff to focus on Yardi. The short-term investment of IT resources into the process can dramatically improve the quality and speed of implementation.
- Not planning for an adjustment period.
Yardi is a big, deeply powerful platform. Before going live, most firms want to provide some training for their staff to help them get started on the right track. Even if the implementation is near flawless from a technical standpoint, Yardi’s learning curve can be daunting for many end-users, especially those who have used a different platform for many years. Achieving buy-in from the people who will use Yardi day-to-day is often an overlooked final stage of implementation.Planning for transition issues can begin at the design phase, while end-users are documenting their processes and compiling feature wish-lists. After launch, it’s important to reconnect with users to verify that everything is working well, identify problems, and highlight areas where more training would be helpful. In some cases, users discover new ways to streamline their Yardi experience only after they’ve used the system for a few months. By building a post-rollout process into the plan at the start, a business can help its employees embrace Yardi as their new favorite tool.
33Floors helps clients tackle Yardi implementation challenges
The team at 33Floors specializes in Yardi implementation, development, and support. Thanks to our hands-on experience in the real estate industry, we understand the importance of getting implementation right. Whether your firm is small or large, whether its plans for Yardi are simple or ambitious, 33Floors has the expertise to get you running, anywhere in the world. Contact 33Floors today to learn more.
