How APIs Are Revolutionizing Property Management
Property management involves constantly juggling multiple software tools: CRM, accounting, rental management, maintenance, website, tenant communication...
As a result, a lot of time is wasted re-entering data, and there’s a high risk of errors.
The solution? Invest in APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to seamlessly connect all your applications. This technology will allow you to synchronize various applications to create a more efficient software ecosystem!
Discover how this technology can transform your way of working.
Want to turn to software specifically designed for property managers? Contact us!
API Definition: What Is an API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface. Developers created APIs to enable different software to communicate and exchange data securely, in a standardized manner, and automatically.
In essence, these interfaces create connections between different applications to facilitate collaboration and information exchange.
What Is the Purpose of an API?
As a user, you don’t interact directly with them; however, you benefit from their advantages. For example, APIs enable you to launch direct messaging on a website. They also allow you to pay for products online by making various payment services like PayPal or Stripe available.
In other words, an API facilitates communication between multiple software solutions or connects applications.
They act as intermediaries between two independent computer systems, allowing one application to integrate functionalities from another or exchange data securely.
The Main Advantages of APIs for Your Property Business
As mentioned in the introduction, property managers juggle several software tools. If you took the time to count those you use daily, it wouldn’t be surprising if you identified 3 or 4. If they are not connected, you waste an incredible amount of time switching between them and re-entering data.
This is what we call the "toggling tax."
According to a study by Harvard Business Review , office workers spend an average of 9% of their time navigating from one application to another.
That’s where APIs come into play.
Here are three advantages for users.
APIs Make You More Efficient
An API allows you to avoid entering the same information repeatedly in multiple systems. For example, when entering a tenant prospect’s profile in a CRM, once the prospect is qualified, the CRM sends the tenant’s information to the property management system through the API. The property management system (like Hopem) can then, again via the API, push the tenant data to other third-party systems, such as a smart locker system or a communication platform.
Thus, they enable the integration of third-party services directly into your main software, eliminating the need to switch between different applications to complete your tasks. This centralization of functionalities simplifies your workflow and allows you to accomplish your daily tasks more quickly and efficiently while reducing the risk of errors during re-entries.
Recommended Read: Property Management Guide to Becoming an Effective Property Manager
APIs Make Your Software More Flexible and Efficient
With APIs, it becomes easier to customize your experience by adding the functionalities you need, such as add-ons or integrations with other services. They thus make your software more flexible.
Note that APIs also provide the possibility to evolve your software over time by adding new functionalities. This could prevent you from having to migrate to new software if your needs evolve and exceed the capabilities of your current system.
APIs Can Save You Money
Since they allow for the connection of multiple software applications, you can use distinct applications according to your departments, and the data synchronizes between them. One thing’s for sure: you won’t have to pay a hefty price for developing a new custom solution.
