Looking for a way to persuade the boss that you need a day out of the office? Then look no further. Mark Simmons and the hosts of the Property Computer Show have all the answers.
Once upon a time, property consultants north of Watford Gap might have thought RAM raiders were frisky male sheep. And you all knew Demon was an ugly beastie with horns! Now, of course, in the age of the notepad computer and the Internet, you know better. Don’t you? You don’t? Then you need help. You need Property Computer Show North. Or, at least, that’s what those people who casually throw around words like “functionality” and “connectivity” will have you believe.
And they will be ready to greet you with open arms at this year’s PCS North in Leeds on May 14 and 15. So do you really need to know your RAM from your ROM and your GIF from your TIFF? Well, no, not really. But neither can you afford to bask in blissful ignorance of that often quoted yet still mysterious technological revolution. Knowing how computers work is not important. No, really, it is not. Knowing what computers can do is, however, more essential than ever before. And let’s face it, most firms have chucked out their typewriters in favour of at least a basic word processor.
Come to think of it, most of those tedious everyday calculations are now done on a spreadsheet, and who hasn’t got their contacts on a database? Try to remember the last time you did a DCF valuation on paper – could you do it now? Chances are that you and your colleagues use computers far more than you realise.
OK, you have your computer and you know what you are doing with it. Or at least someone in your office does. So there’s no real need to think any more about it … except that in an office near you someone might be doing exactly that. They may be doing it right now. It might not make them a better surveyor, but that review of their computer systems could give them the competitive edge over you.
Time then, perhaps, to give PCS North a closer look. It won’t cost you anything – entry is free (see box for details of pre-booking) – and, as the exhibition is located in the centre of Leeds, it won’t take long to get there. Like the annual London show, held in the autumn, PCS North will host a wide range of exhibitors who will be demonstrating the latest software solutions for the commercial and residential property markets.
Software solutions? See how easy it is to slip into jargon. Basically, PCS is about showing you what modern computer programmes can actually do for your business. It is not about selling you the latest hardware – or kit – and leaving you do decide what to do with it. So you won’t find salespeople pressing large white boxes into your hands promising you world domination. What you should find is computer experts who are also property specialists – they talk your language – who will find out what could help you with your business. If you want, they will then advise you which machines will do the job.
Still not sure? Chris Woodcock of Trace Solutions, co-sponsor of the show, says there is one good reason why you should attend: “PCS is the only place where all the major software suppliers for the property industry are. It’s a very good shop window.” Hmmmm. The many property professionals who are negotiators may wonder why they should spend time and money on systems that can do what they themselves do already when they could be out chasing the next deal.
Woodcock argues that the packages on offer will complement rather than duplicate current work practices: “Software can’t help [the negotiator] negotiate, but it will provide him/her with more information more readily. It certainly won’t replace the negotiating function.” So, relax, browsing round the PCS won’t make you redundant.
It may, however, relieve you of that surplus cash you were saving for a rainy day. Don’t forget the cheque book, as the systems on offer start at about £1,000. If you’ve got money to spend, however, it’s quite possible to spend 50 times that amount. But, say the exhibitors, it will be money well spent. Especially if, as one software house claims about its package, it will reduce two days’ work into one hour.
Some exhibitors will be well-known names: co-sponsor Property Intelligence will be there, as will Charles Goad. The latter will be demonstrating how to compress those large desk-sized pieces of paper that always curl at both edges neatly onto your computer screen. Trace will be showing its suite (portfolio to you and me) of products marketed under the TBS banner. These are being rewritten in Windows (you know Windows: the little multi-coloured box that appears on your screen every morning and has made Bill Gates a millionaire) And with the growing familiarity of pushing an arrow around the screen and clicking on particular items to perform certain tasks, the rush to convert programmes to work with Windows is growing. “I think Windows is going to be more topical at this show,” confirms Woodcock.
TBS/Agency, for example, is the Windows version of CEF, a programme launched 10 years ago and now installed in 120 companies. So far, 16 companies have signed up for Agency at £4,500 for a single user, plus £500 per concurrent user. Agency allows agents to set up their own database of available properties or plug into existing services like Provision and Pride. As well as allowing users to search the system for available buildings, the package will also generate statistics (which can be shown as graphs and printed on paper or overheads); create applicants lists; send mail shots; and keep a marketing log. Agency will be complemented by a sister package being launched at the Leeds show: TBS/Investment. The programme will offer similar facilities to those available in Agency but with features dedicated for investment agents.
Trace (which can be found on Stands 4/5) is also updating its Tramps property management system, the latest version of which will be on display at PCS. Trace claims that the programme is licensed to 130 companies at 180 sites around the UK. A Windows version is some time off, however. Those wanting to use their mouse full-time will have to wait until 1997.
Alternatively, they might turn their attention to Fraser Williams’ Skyline For Windows, which was launched at the London PCS in October. Aimed at property investors and corporate occupiers, as well as public-sector bodies, Skyline claims to be able handle all aspects of property management. A comprehensive property database is supplemented by property accounting, maintenance management, administrative diary, report writing and purchase ledger functions, all of which are linked to each other. So information added in one section will automatically update the other sections.
With the recent reorganisation of local authorities, new unitary authorities may be tempted to follow in the footsteps of Kent county council which signed up to an earlier version of the programme. Existing user Southern Electric has upgraded to the Windows version, while new customer NatWest Bank went straight for the Windows system when it bought the package at the end of last year. The system will be used by over 400 employees in its regional offices. Fraser Williams is on Stands 35/36.
Residential property consultants will be well served at the show. CFP Software will be demonstrating its latest product, CFP WinLet, a package for small- to medium-sized letting agents that includes a property database and diary which will automatically prompt you to do those tasks you might otherwise put off. The programme, which will print out agreements that have been checked by a housing barrister and come via legal practice The Letting Centre, also supplies standard notices and letters, accessible at the click of a mouse button. CFP is on Stand 7
More adventurous residential agents could consider going live on the Internet. Two companies offering Web sites and exhibiting at PCS for the first time are Internet Properties and Interealty. Both companies have developed their programmes working side by side with surveyors. Martyn Davies of Interealty comments: “Developing software when the users are in the same building can be a challenging task, but with constant user feedback we were able to create and fine-tune the program in a way that would never be possible otherwise.” Both companies offer complete access packages to lure those home-buyers who have taken to surfing the net.
Internet Properties’ Homefinder is a complete package, where the link to the Internet is arranged for you, in addition to the supply of a modem (to allow your computer to ‘talk’ to the Internet) and a scanner (to add photographs and floorplans of properties). The system can be installed in a single office or linked through a network of offices. PCS North visitors can view the homes held on the books of DTZ Debenham Thorpe’s Wetherby office. If you already have access to the Internet, you can see how the package works right now by going to www.netproperty.com.
In Homefinder the user adds the details of properties and these are then managed by Internet Properties and posted onto the Internet. Interealty’s Residential-Pro is different in that it allows agents to create their own pages without needing any technical knowledge about the Internet. The package offers many similar features to Homefinder but does not provide an Internet connection. Interealty’s Perry Myers claims that this offers users a greater choice and the potential to negotiate discounts from suppliers who provide access to the Internet: “Users of our product will be able to select a supplier of their choice from the many property orientated sites that are available.” Internet Properties is on Stand 16 and Interealty on Stand 29.
These are just some of the products that will be on display at this year’s PCS North. Go on, admit it, you are tempted to visit after all. As an extra incentive, if you book in advance you will get a free mouse mat. All you need to do now is buy the computer to go with it . . .
Factfinder
When: Tuesday May 14 and Wednesday May 15 1996
Where: The Royal Armouries, Off Crown Point Bridge, Leeds
Opening times: 09:30 – 17:30 on both days
Getting there by road: Drive via the M1 and park on site (there are over 800 spaces).
Getting there by train: Travel to Leeds Central station, where there will be a minibus shuttle service to the venue every 20 minutes.
Getting in: Tickets can be ordered from the PCS Hotline on 01273 691169. Visitors who book in advance will get a free PCS mouse mat. Alternatively, entry can be arranged on the day.
Refreshments: Hot and cold beverages and biscuits are provided in the exhibition hall. Larger appetites can be satisfied at the Armouries’ own restaurant, near the exhibition hall.
Queries: Send an e-mail to Henri Cash of VCM Communications at 100571.2521@compuserve.com or phone/fax him on 01273 857800.
