MRI Residential Management Software

Pros

Accounting ,messages , garage info, renewing leases etc all needed right here as well as printing leases straight from MRI which is not something I had in prior job.

Cons

Ocasional glitchon. Occurs when printing leases where the rent amount does not show , but IT fixes that.

Pros

I like the ease of doing bank recs and entering journal entries. I also enjoy the layout of the program.

Cons

Sometimes I find it difficult to find a specific report that I would like to use. I also don't like the fact that I can't have two reports open at once.

Searching for new options

Pros

Online leasing capability and the ability to "plug" into other software options; Has solid G/L functionality and so if the Leasing end was more functional, would be great.

Cons

Not intuitive to use; Feel like I need to be a programmer to create the reports I need to run the business; 45 minute hold times for EVERY support call.

Pros

Can generate leases from it
Accounting info included.
Easy to train and go from different screens
It is similar to Onesite so if you already know one site you will find this one easy too.

I have worked in property management for numerous years and have experience with six different residential management products. I will admit MRI (like most) can be a little glitchy and slow at times but what it lacks in that it makes up for in the variety of reports you can pull and is probably the easiest system to correct errors in and make changes in. I personally specialize in marketing underperforming properties and so it's so great to be able to pull specific demographics about the resident population and the trends of leasing efforts. MRI is attractive, easy to use and will amaze you with the amount and type of data that can be populated and displayed. In my opinion, this system is the best for competitive leasing agents, and larger properties.

Pros

Huge variety of reports that are a massive help in marketing efforts.
Easily correctable errors, to ensure accurate reports.

Cons

Does not allow for "paperless" resident files as easily as other programs, not able to attach PDF's into residents accounts easily.

Advice to Others

If you going to maintain physical resident files, MRI all the way! "Paperless" systems often still need many physical items scanned in, or worse uses a bar-code system to organize things that actually adds to paper usage.

I have been using MRI for almost 3 years and it's my daily lifeline for business. It integrates very seamlessly with other programs which are a huge benefit, such as MRI and LRO Rainmaker

Cons

I wish there was a way to view multiple resident accounts at once. Also, I wish you could adjust view settings, for example when you type a resident's apartment number I wish their phone number and email address would pop right up.

This software is nice to be able to see everything in one place. I also like how I can view it on my phone.

Pros

A phone app to be able to see it when you are not by a computer.

Cons

none

Advice to Others

If you have many properties this is a nice software to have.

Likes Best

I like that they are continuing to improve the product and hopefully give us everything we need. I like that they give you upgrades without having to make it yourself, and I definitely like that they changed MRI web so that it was more commercial focused versus residential.

Likes Least

When we purchased and went live with the product, we were promised things that the software didn't have. I believe that was in the hopes that it would have that eventually.

Recommendations

Deliver what you promote.

Likes Best

I was using five different software products in the past, but MRI does it all!

Likes Least

There is nothing that I do not like about this product.

Recommendations

This software does it all! We host it on our own server and can access it from anywhere via the internet.

Likes Best

The bank reconciliations are rather easy, and the trial balance is easy to read. It saves previously run reports for a period of time. I also like the ability to create automatic reversal entries and the recurring journal entries.

Likes Least

Sometimes, the reports won't run, it freezes up/locks up, and there is a lack of correct export from the Boston Post; I'm not sure if it's due to MRI or Boston Post.

Recommendations

If you're going to use it, don't create the interest/fees for bank reconciliations within the bank recs. Simply enter these on the general ledger side first. It locks up or freezes if you allow the software to create the entries.

Likes Best

The system is fairly easy to use for all types of users. I like the ability to use SQL to query the underlying tables. There are a variety of basic reports that are beneficial in running the business.

Likes Least

The system does have a few software bugs. Workarounds need to be developed once bugs are discovered.

Recommendations

There are three major vendors that play in the residential arena. All three have their pros and cons. Make sure you have your requirements identified and prioritized. These vendors, including MRI, all provide basic levels of service (e.g. check scanning), but you need to understand how any special requirements in these areas would be handled.

Likes Best

Having everything at your fingertips is pretty amazing. The functionality and clean lines of the software make navigation a breeze.

Likes Least

There seem to be some bumps in the road with getting all of the available functions to operate simultaneously. From time to time, there are hiccups, but that is to be expected.

Recommendations

Get the opinions, concerns, likes, and dislikes from a various positions throughout your company that will be using the software. They will tell you what they like, don't like, what they want, or don't want, and that will be what tells you if the software is going to be the best fit for you.

Likes Best

I like the way you can drill down in some of the reports to find further information. The setup is very easy to read and follow when searching for data. I like the feature that you have both sides open in different screens at the same time (i.e. the general ledger and the payables).

Likes Least

When you run a general ledger report it doesn't show the vendor name in the description of the payable.

Recommendations

It is very detailed and is user-friendly. If you have reports that are not standard they are available to be setup and used to fit there business.

Likes Best

MRI offers quite a wide array of modules and services and partners with virtually all industry leaders in areas where there is no native solution. Their analytics and network of professional services team members is of great value.

Likes Least

The dual interface (Windows and Web) complicates deployment and support. While the web application is scheduled to receive a more intuitive interface and search option, this is years behind and still does not address the need for the Windows application, which I was dismayed to learn is not really receiving any enhancements or a refresh. Communicating with support is a nightmare, especially with regards to long-standing cases. Even if a tech is assigned to a case, the customer is not allowed to contact this person directly by phone or email. In the event that an issue worsens and requires immediate assistance, it can be virtually impossible to get back to the individual already aware of the case. IRs can also go on for years without being addressed which clearly and negatively impacts the flow of business. Overall, it just seems the sales team is always quick, responsive, and always willing to lend extra effort while support and development can range anywhere from attentive and professional to evasive and impolite.

Recommendations

An application is only as good as the people supporting it.

Likes Best

It is so easy to use and to teach people how to use. It was very easy for me to pickup when I was new. It didn't take long for new staff to learn the basics.

Likes Least

The work order system is a pain! There are too many screens to go through and it really isn't necessary for the size of our staff.

Recommendations

I enjoy this software a lot! It is so easy to use and to train others how to use. It is well organized and keeps every manager very well organized.

Likes Best

For the most part, it is easy to use and allows me to have everything about a resident at my figure tips.

Likes Least

I like closing a work order the least. It's incredibly time consuming.

Recommendations

I have none. I believe the work order section is very very time consuming. However, I believe the notes section is very functional.

Likes Best

It's versatile and retains so much information needed for reporting. The property setup is easy to review, and they are working on giving clients the ability to modify things when needed. They continue to grow and improve the product.

Likes Least

It can be time consuming to input information, but what you get from it is worth it.

Recommendations

It is an easy software program to learn, and they work with you to get it modified for each individual site.

Likes Best

It's easy search properties and has a great search engine .

Likes Least

We can't customize it. We have storage tenants on month-to-month leases and apartment tenants on yearly leases.

Recommendations

Make sure it works with your sub accounts. Our online banking systems had hard time intergrating.

Likes Best

I like the ability to customize the reports and screen. It gives you access to your own data to do what you want with it.

Likes Least

It has an older UI and not the most user-friendly navigation.

Recommendations

Be sure to find out exactly what you get out of the box without paying for additional GPS hours before deciding if it fits your needs.

Likes Best

There are many different modules and vendors that we can integrate with, which covers our complete business needs.

Likes Least

The support is weak. Some of the processes are too rigid for us.

Recommendations

Test it as much as possible. MRI is pretty strong compared to the others out there.