Archstone-Smith chose Intuit Real Estate Solutions (IRES) as their property management software provider because of its innovative Web-based solution that allows them to streamline their on-site operations and enhance their customer service offering across their national portfolio of close to 80,000 apartments.

“Archstone-Smith strives to lead the apartment industry in innovation—and aims to set the bar for excellence in terms of offering a superior customer experience,” said Dan Amedro, Chief Information Officer.

“That means embracing leading-edge technology to improve operational efficiencies and ultimately enhance enduring customer relationships. IRES' web-based solution is powered by workflow technology that streamlines on-site operations so our associates can spend more time doing what they do best—delivering great customer service.”

Archstone-Smith assembled a team of 16 associates to conduct an exhaustive search for a new property management software vendor. “IRES was the clear and unanimous choice,” said Amedro.

“IRES' rolecentric MRI Residential solution is customized to each associate, allowing them quickly access the features and data in line with their specific job responsibilities from their own personal home page. Such workflow technologies ensure the leasing process runs smoothly, with less training requirements. This system not only helps us fill apartments faster, it also ensures a great experience for new residents.

“Easy-to-learn software is key to an industry faced with a 60% turnover rate. New employees can become proficient with the software in days versus weeks, Amedro added.

Providing further proof of the system’s ease-of-use, IRES was able to integrate a number of applications including credit scoring, utility billing and revenue management into one system. Therefore, associates can obtain the data they need with little effort. In addition, work orders and service requests that were once manual, have now been automated. Personnel are now able to spend more time on resident service instead of administrative functions.

Moreover, MRI Residential allows Archstone-Smith to better track customer data. “With this product, we can accurately track resident histories to better understand our customers and how to best accommodate their needs,” said Amedro. “Plus, the system allows us to offer resident-only web sites through which our customers can view their account, renew their lease, pay rent and submit service requests online. In short, MRI Residential makes it significantly easier for our customers to do business with us.”

About Archstone-Smith

Archstone-Smith (NYSE: ASN) is one of the nation's leading owners, operators, developers and acquirers of apartments, with an irreplaceable portfolio of garden-style and high-rise apartment properties in protected locations in major metropolitan areas across the country. This year, the company debuted at 994 on the Fortune 1000 list, and ranked 348 on the Forbes Super500 list.

With a current total market capitalization of approximately $9.3 billion, Archstone-Smith owns or has an ownership position in 283 apartment communities, representing 99,408 apartment units, including 2,501 wholly-owned units under construction, as of April 30, 2003. Archstone-Smith's garden-style communities operate under the Archstone Communities brand; its high-rise properties operate under the Charles E. Smith brand. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.archstonesmith.com.