Is your strata community stuck in the past without access to good technology? In this article, we’ll look at just a few ways in which Owners Corporations can harness the power of modern technology.
Strata management
In the past, strata management processes were quite clunky. Records like meeting minutes of the Owners Corporation were printed and glued to a physical minute book making it difficult for anyone to access. There was no way to access the real time financial information or to participate in meetings other than to be there in person.
Gone are those days (at least for some agencies). Strata Managers like More Than Strata operate a paperless office and store all Owners Corporation records in the cloud, making them easily accessible. Customer portals allow customers to update their own contact details, get up-to-date financial information and pay levies online. Meetings can be conducted via tele/video conferencing and meeting apps allow for pre and in-meeting voting. These modern conveniences cater to the increasingly busy lifestyles of strata owners.
IoT technology
While there have been considerable advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, it still all begins with Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This refers to any network of connected systems, usually to a central control hub. For example, an IoT building management system could control ventilation, heating and cooling, lights, security, and access systems. Some systems even incorporate energy management.
The idea of IoT technology is to use multiple sensors throughout the building to create more implementation. So, your air conditioner works when a temperature sensor tells it to. Motion sensors control lights when people walk into shared facilities such as gyms. This technology makes life easier for building managers while saving money on energy expenses.
Smart home systems
The common smart home systems such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa have changed the way we live. These nifty systems allow you to control appliances, lights, security, and much more. Usually, controls are voice-activated if you’re in the home or remotely via an app if you’re out. These systems are always improving, and many also incorporate types of IoT technology, as discussed above.
Smart systems are also available for commercial structures such as strata buildings, giving managers better control over the facilities in common areas. While smart home systems and IoT systems are quite similar, with new advancements, AI elements can also detect faults or issues in the building, alerting managers to urgent maintenance needs.
Security Systems
With Smartphones’ prominence in modern life, using it to access secured areas such as building/car park entries and lifts using Bluetooth or NFC enabled mobile devices mean one less thing to carry for residents. It also helps to reduce the cost of administration and replacement of physical access cards/fobs.
There are also bluetooth parking bollards to help manage car space use, effectively preventing unauthorised parking which is often a point of contention for strata residents.
Solar energy
It might not be a new technology, as such, but solar energy is certainly booming. NSW, in particular, is a prime spot for solar energy generation, and many strata buildings are reaping the benefits. By installing solar panels to power your common areas, you’ll save plenty of money each year. Strata communities with a strong sustainability focus may even implement a solar energy system that powers all apartments as well as common areas. The future is bright when it comes to avoiding rising electricity costs.
Need to bring your strata community into the modern age?
If you’ve been doing things the hard way for as long as you can remember, it’s time for a change. More Than Strata provides expert strata management services that ease your strata committee’s burden. From maintenance to financial management, we ensure your community is happy, safe, healthy and financially profitable. For more information on how we can help, please contact the team at More Than Strata today.
