Skyline is a disaster

Stay away from this software, we just switched to Yardi Genesis 2.

Pros

This is one of the few softwers that wasn't cloud base, which is what the management of the company wanted ( Now they changed their mind). Also the software had project costing module

Cons

It is very difficult to learn and use. I have used a few property management software, and can tell that there are many unnecessary and illogical steps in Skyline.
The Software is very glitchy. You will get 5-10 errors every day. I know all the software malfunction sometimes, with skiline, you need a full time person to deal with the malfunctions.
Their Customer Service is a Scam. We had a 3rd party company that Yardi assign us. They overcharged the support hours every time.
When we purchased the software, we were told that once we make the initial investment, we won't have to deal with momnthly payments like other softweres offer. We realized it is a good investment to pay lump sum at the beginning and avoid the monthly payments. Come to find out, that there is a update/new release charge every year that is twice as much as the out original investment. We were told we don't have to update, but you lose the support if you are not up to date. And it is impassible to go without support in Skyline.

Not user friendly for commercial portfolios

Pros

I like the fact that it is not a monthly fee and we can store it on our computers. The sales staff is great.

Cons

The help doesn't answer your questions. The manuals are all geared toward apartments and you cannot call to get assistance without being charged even if your contract states so many hours of support is included. We have commercial properties. Until you are in the midst of setup you don't realize the differences and questions to ask. You'll have to send many emails and make multiple phone calls to get charges reversed. They won't call you back. Implementation to them, means downloading the software. Our controller has setup and worked on multiple management systems and I have a Yardi trainer that have been trying to get us up and running for a year.

Bad customer support

Pros

Ability to run prior year statements through Cumulus

Cons

I have used this software for 15 years. While their support staff is very friendly, they do not follow up, you will spend a fortune trying to keep it running. Today I was forced to make a one sided entry in order to balance the books. In the last two years, we have thrown money towards fixing a problem and it is still not fixed. We are dumping this software for QuickBooks after using for 19 (nineteen) years.

Skyline Property Management Software

I have been using this product for almost two years now. I like the tenant detailed information but I sometimes struggle with the financial aspects of the program. I am an accountant however, and probably have high expectations for the financials.

Pros

There is good tracking of tenant charges and payments. The occupancy ledgers are fairly detailed and there is the ability to add a lot of information for each tenant.

Cons

I don't like that you have to manually post transactions into the general ledger. The financial reporting requires an add on (Cumulus Reports) in order to get nice custom reports. There is functionality for custom reports but it's not very robust.

Skyline

When we used the software, we were told that once we make initial investment, we will not have to deal with monthly payments like other software offers. Come to find out that each year there is an update new release fee which is twice the original investment. We were told that we do not have to update, but if you are not up to date then you lose support. And it is impossible to go without support in Skyline. It may be different, but there is a check and full requirement once.

Pros

This is a software that was not a cloud base, which wanted management of the company, now they changed their mind. Software was the project cost module.

Cons

Learning and using is very difficult. I have used some property management software, and can tell that there are many unnecessary and strange steps in Skyline.
The software is very messy. You will get some errors in some time. I sometimes know about all the software being spoiled with Skilin, you need a full time person to deal with errors.

Skyline survey

Pros

Once you have Skyline down, it is very easy to navigate and figure out where you need to be for certain tasks.

Cons

My only dislike of Skyline is the fact that it takes a lot to build knowledge of the software with no real help manual or the lack of support from Qualitech.

Great integration of Property Information with Operating Results

Ask for business references, you will get good advice from power SKYLINE users. Also, your CPA will like the output for your 1065's !

Pros

Strongest part of this product is the ability to switch from building to building to get quick answer and/or enter transactions. It was built by real estate professional and it sent up the way real estate (retail, office, apartments, industrial) works.

Cons

There is really nothing wrong with this product. It is not QuickBooks, so the user must understand accounting and have a set-up in mind to create properties.
So the lack of relative flexibility, is really a strong point, an internal control. There is a learning curve and plenty of consultants and corporate support.

Worst program I've ever used

No pros I can think of. We used it when it was a Dos- based program and then when it converted to Windows.

Cons

When we used it, everything we needed for reports and processing cost extra. Support was extra. Improvements were rolled out annually. Had to be installed on a computer, so each computer had to have its own license. We found a better program with 24/7 support that is included, and does updates weekly, sometimes daily, is internet-based and doesn't charge per user. Skyline was difficult to navigate and very tedious.

Still awful after 18 months

This company does not even want to know the failings of its software. They had to hire outside help to deal with Skylines poor design and training to get a common ownership cash account to work with several properties.

Cons

Horrible training. Training included instructions on work arounds for the faulty design. The cherry on the cake: Your support fees get you nothing but excuses and the offer to charge you more to learn what the failed to teach in training. Bad reports, but they are customizable if you pay more fees. No historical storage of tenant data to run past rent rolls. QuickBooks and excel would be an easier way to manage the accounting and tenant data than this

Skyline Property Management Software

The software is relatively easy to use once you've learned the ins and outs of it. I have been using it for over a year and there are still issues that come up that I need support for. The processes of month end close are cumbersome. When entering a new property into Skyline it is very cumbersome and steps heavy. You have to go to approximately 5 -6 different areas in the program to get a property set up from start to finish. If you close the month there is no way to go back and fix a mistake, not even a description. Preprinted forms are a beast to line up properly.

Not User Friendly

Pros

Customer support is quick to get back and help to remedy issues.

Cons

This product is not very user friendly. When setting up new properties you have to enter in information repeatedly as it does not populate other aspects of the property information sheets.

Skyline Review

Skyline is not user friendly. The interface looks like a blast from the past (think Windows 95). You cannot work in multiple screens at one time. Functions are not intuitive and processes require more time to complete than if done manually. Re-work is often required when work does not save (even when the user saves) or when the system has an error (which is constant). There is no robust search option like other Property Management tools (i.e. MRI or Yardi), which makes it difficult to quickly access information.

Pros

The software is more affordable than its competitors, but it is not worth the cost. Users are better off utilizing QuickBooks and/or Excel for record keeping.

Cons

There are several. Namely, that the software does not work as intended or needed. There are so many clicks/steps required in order to complete even basic actions (vs. a simple 1,2,3). Constant glitches and overall product faults.

Easy Accessibility

Pros

I find this software easy to use for the most part. It is easy to enter and access information.

Cons

I find myself entering the same information over and over again in different areas. I feel it should have the capability to transfer data to appropriate areas and/or have a copy feature.

it is easy to use

Pros

it is easy to learn and easy to use. Compared with other software, this software has more function than others, but less cost.

Cons

When you setup a property or tenant, if you make mistake, it will be difficult to change them. this is no good.

Not user friendly at all

It is not worth the time or money to use this software

Pros

It is very difficult for me to write down any pros for Skyline. Probably it is cost effective, but Yardi Genesis 2 is cost effective as well.

Cons

It is not user friendly at all. It is very time-consuming to perform a simple task. When producing report in Excel, the format is terrible!

Great Product

Pros

This product has given my company the ability to track all relevant information to our business in one place, greatly increasing our productivity and efficiency.

Cons

The product is difficult to navigate at times, but we are still training, which I imagine will solve this.

Worst software

This is the worst software I Have ever used. The product always has glitches and errors. Very difficult to use and horrible customer service. The salespeople in Detroit were just liars.

good tools

Pros

The booth was set up on time. All the materials arrived on time. All of the show services were handled properly.

Cons

If you make a mistake sometimes, it will be a little difficult to change it. And update information is not easy.

Poor understanding of commercial real estate and accounting by trainer of system

Training was awful. Recommended set up result in numerous general ledger errors which was extremely time consuming to remedy. Still uncomfortable with its proper operation. They had to bring in outside consulting give recommendations to fix portfolio set up. All work fell to me to fix. I have never been more disappointed in a purchase in my life. Made MRI look user friendly.

Pros

Still searching for those

Cons

All of it