Among 2009 Cutbacks: How About E-mail Dependency?

By: Jennifer Brenner Andrade

Venture capitalist Fred Wilson’s May 2007 declaration of “e-mail bankruptcy” not only ignited a movement, but also gave voice to the e-mail overload suffered by most knowledge professionals. In commercial real estate particularly, stories about missed RFPs, tenants signing outdated versions of leases, and miscommunications between vendors, contractors and lenders abound because of the overuse of e-mail as a business tool.

These days, people running their businesses out of e-mail might as well be running their businesses on the back of a napkin.

While 2009 will most certainly be the year of cutting back in almost every operational area imaginable and some not imaginable; as an industry, commercial real estate should also consider ending the dependence, errors and miscommunications of e-mail. Yes, there is a better way.

Many real estate companies are currently working with various high cost solutions to facilitate file sharing, task setting, version control and calendaring among groups of all shapes and sizes in an effort to accelerate their business beyond e-mail.

One systems director at a major REIT was quoted as saying that the risk of exposure from sending the wrong spreadsheet version to a customer or partner was just too great. This REIT wanted to realize efficiencies in its due diligence, fund management, investment and real estate development operations.

While most collaboration tools cost thousands of dollars per seat, ARGUS Software has introduced, ARGUS Zone, an innovative portal that offers collaboration or deal room features on an individual or enterprise level for a fraction of the cost. Additionally, ARGUS Zone offers live market research such as comps, news articles and market reports through the Situs Insight portal as well as an innovative, new online auction for off market properties through the Transaction Zone powered by RIISnet.

All current ARGUS Software customers are afforded free access to the ARGUS Zone Standard Package, which includes the collaboration module. ARGUS Software is also announcing introductory pricing through 31 December 2008 for access to this efficiency tool.

For customers residing outside of North America, contact Jennifer Andrade at jandrade@argussoftware.com to find out more.

New ARGUS customers in North America can obtain access to ARGUS Zone for $49.99 per month for the Standard package or $79.99 per month for the Plus package which includes access to market research, access to MS Live Meeting and workflow tools among other things. Current ARGUS customers may upgrade their ARGUS Zone membership to the Plus package for the introductory rate of $49.99 per month.  Click here to be taken to the web store to purchase an ARGUS Zone plan with the introductory pricing.