REAL ESTATE

While there are many IT service providers in the space that Cambridge operates in, there aren’t many companies who specialize in IT services for the real estate domain. There are various reasons why Cambridge has an advantage in this space.

Focus and commitment to the industry
Cambridge has invested in the Business Integration Group (BIG), a firm that provides services for the real estate industry. Professionals from Cambridge and BIG work closely to create an application called the Integrated Workforce management System. It is application that helps clients manage leases, spaces, projects and even billing for their real estate needs. As a result, Cambridge has a number of business analysts who specialize in the real estate domain. Cambridge’s approach towards real estate firms IT needs are heavily biased towards client’s business needs, rather than IT needs.

Experience in developing applications
Cambridge has developed some mission critical applications for its real estate clients. These include:

• Front office applications like a CRM system, an application for valuation automation, research applications and portals. In developing these, the professionals at Cambridge have had first hand experience with the business needs of the real estate professionals on the street. Cambridge Analysts have worked with brokers on active deals to learn how an effective contacts management system can help the brokers close deals faster.
• Back Office applications for Finance and Accounting. Cambridge has developed applications for revenue management, master data management, accounting modules of ERPs. In doing these, Cambridge Analysts have worked with commission accountants and helped them define their requirements for recognizing revenue.
• Process and compliance templates. Cambridge has worked with its real estate clients to define standards for project initiation, execution and control. These standards have defined the clients’ approach towards implementing IT initiatives.

Understanding IT in real estate firms
IT applications for real estate firms are very user-centric. E.g. The broker on the street needs to have access to his contacts while he is meeting his client. So Cambridge realizes that it needs to be very flexible regarding the time needed to make things operational.

End users in such firms are not very IT savvy – people who use applications need coaching, training and extensive support. That is why Cambridge has a help desk team, who understand the real estate domain as well. This helps them converse with end users and make them feel comfortable that the person helping them understands their business.

In addition to help desk capabilities, Cambridge also has service level agreements for maintenance of large mission critical applications.