By Amanda Marsh

Intuit Real Estate Solutions, a developer of property management software, has furthered its presence in China with the adoption of its MRI Chinese product by CB Richard Ellis Inc. in Shanghai.

The software allows companies to manage large portfolios globally through Web and remote access capabilities, John Lax (pictured), Intuit director of product development, told CPN. "They are able to operate their portfolios with a single global database," he said, noting that is a unique software concept.

The all-in-one software, which includes functions such as accounting and lease administration, had to be certified by Shanghai's Software Technology Board, which is required for any financial software package run in China. The certification also includes a lengthy process of proving that the software company owns the intellectual property.

CB Richard Ellis was unable to comment by deadline, but the company said in a release that increased foreign direct investment into China has called for higher standards of certified technology, which Intuit has met with the MRI product.

Intuit eventually expects to expand into Beijing with CB Richard Ellis, as well, but does not have a set date. Lax said the software's expansion depends on when its clients bring it into a market.

CB Richard Ellis is only one of 1,500 companies in 40-plus countries that use the Intuit software. The software already has a large client base in Asia, Europe and the United States.