Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) property technology continues to explode in popularity. As established and unheard-of companies bring new technology to market, consumers feast from a fancy smorgasbord of options. Unfortunately, the feastings aren’t simply an array of delicacies analogous to the finest cheeses and lox in the land. The oblong fruits and sweaty cold cuts also have emerged from the ether. (Yes, we’re still talking tech.) Among these are tenant amenity apps. The arrival of these apps has caused confusion among some consumers.
The question has arisen of whether tenant amenity apps and access control must be used together, or if tenant amenity apps are a substitute for access control. Here’s the answer.
What’s a Tenant Amenity App?
When property managers, security teams and IT professionals scroll through the long list of property tech, confusion might creep in. Who can blame them? The garble of terminology and marketing buzzwords coat good products and bad ones in a similar greasy sheen. This is enough to leave a foul taste in anyone’s mouth (i.e., Sweaty cold cuts, anyone?) “Tenant amenity apps” may read as one of these slippery buzzwords, however some property teams have found these apps beneficial.
A tenant amenity app aggregates multiple SaaS software into one, centralized app. This means admins and tenants can use different SaaS products without having to navigate to each one specifically. Developers claim these apps enhance the relationship between tenants and property management. They also claim to better the tenant experience by providing building access controls, a search for nearby amenities, and community messaging.
“Building managers want to have a one-stop-shop to make it easier for their tenants,” said Robert Vail, VP of Sales at Genea. “What some fail to realize is that just because you have a tenant amenity app doesn’t mean you have the software to make the service happen.”
Amenity app providers, like HqO and VTS Rise, rely on other software to perform access control functions. However, when used in tandem, admins can eliminate double data entry and toggling between multiple apps.
Drawbacks of Tenant Amenity Apps
A popular misconception is that tenant amenity apps function as a replacement to other building apps. This is far from the truth. For example, tenant amenity apps require access control software to function in the “background.” As amenity app provider HqO aptly points out on their website, their product acts as a “universal remote” not the cable service itself. Having a universal remote does not mean you have the television, cable service, stereo system or smart lighting systems to go with it. A universal remote is universally ineffective without other devices to communicate with.
Enter Genea.
Tenant Amenity Apps and Access Control
Though tenant amenity apps provide a different way for users to interface with building systems, they do not function to communicate directly with the physical office environment. Essentially, these apps are a car without an engine. Genea’s powerful suite of access control, submeter billing, and after-hours HVAC products are the missing engine. With a robust dashboard, consumers should carefully consider whether a tenant amenity app will really give them more insight into tenant behaviors and requests. Find out more about how Genea products integrate with tenant amenity apps to determine the right solution for you.
