2011 was a very busy year for the HERO PM team with the addition of lots of new features, updates and improvements all around. And in 2012, we won’t slow down one bit! We have plans to roll out a slew of exciting new features and powerful tools, and to create additional enhancements to our current systems. Our goal, as always, is to provide our members with the most comprehensive property management solution in the industry, and we are confident that you will be thrilled with our continued improvements.
Here are some highlights of our system enhancements:
Company, Office, & Agent Accounts
For the past 15 years, HERO PM members have purchased a HERO PM package, and set up licenses for each of their managed portfolios. Though this has worked well for our members in the past, the next generation of property managers are taking advantage of the latest technologies, and are structuring their offices more virtually than physically. As always, HERO PM leads the way on understanding and adapting to industry trends, so the time has come to change how we organize packages and licenses. This new structure provides you with more control while saving you money.
As of Jan 2012, each HERO PM member company will start with a Company account, and each managed portfolio is placed under an Agent account. When a company operates from more than one location, it will add Office accounts for each physical office. An Office account belongs to the Company account, but can be tailored to the specific needs of that office.
Within a Company or an Office account, an unlimited number of Agent accounts can be added. Agent accounts represent property managers and/or teams of people who deal with a unique managed portfolio. Agents can view their portfolio alone, or can be allowed access by other Agents to view their portfolios. Each Agent account will have its own contact information and system authorizations associated with it.
Simply put, each managed portfolio falls under an Agent account. That agent will be under the Company (when they work in the main/only company location) or Office (when they work in another location).
What does this mean for you? Well if you’re a current HERO PM member, your packages have been converted to Company accounts and your licenses have been converted to Office accounts. Within each, the main user has been set up as the first Agent account. This changeover began in October, so for most of you, you’re set and there’s nothing more to do.
For those Companies or Offices that need to add Agents, you can do that in your Control Panel under Configuration > Orders & Upgrades > Add an Agent. This gives you the power to assign listings and profiles to individual managers or teams, without having to add them as a separate license (now an Office).
This might sound complicated, but it’s actually simpler than the old method, and better mirrors the structure of more property management offices. We expect that you’ll be pretty excited about this new level of control and flexibility. Feel free to contact us if you would like more information, or if you have questions.
Automated Payments
Since 1999, HERO PM has offered the opportunity to pay account fees annually or monthly, online or offline. Those who don’t want the hassle of monthly payments have typically paid annually, and for that have received one free month. Some members would rather pay monthly, and we’re thrilled with that too. However, there’s a middle ground…members who want to pay monthly but don’t want the hassle of going in and clicking the pay button each month.
For these members, we are excited to now offer auto-pay for monthly charges. When paying your bill, you will now see the option to pay monthly charges automatically. By selecting this option, you are choosing to have your monthly charges automatically withdrawn each month out of your account. Please note, if there are other charges that come due (like project work, Facebook integration orders, and the like), you’ll be notified of the opportunity to click and pay that charge just like you always have.
What’s Coming Later This Year?
Here’s a little sneak peak at what we’ve got in the works for 2012:
- Configurable automated email notifications
- HTML 5-based website system
- More Google integration
- More partner companies
- Property management CRM
- Maintenance wizards
- And a whole lot more!
Stay tuned for more exciting new features and enhancements coming your way!
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