he advent of browser-based, or web-based, technology is enabling businesses across industries and around the world to connect their people and data on unprecedented levels.

Commercial real estate is no exception, and as we head into a new year, the demand to improve data access and sharing has reached new heights.

The most forward-thinking property management systems vendors are responding accordingly by embracing these new technologies. We are seeing a thinning of our marketplace; those that are remaining competitive are migrating their computing platforms to data bases or technologies that embrace Internet platforms and standards.

The resulting benefits for users are speed, efficiency and ease of use. For example, IBS has developed a new prospect data base within the recently completed browser-enabled version of our system.

Site management personnel for several of our multifamily clients now manage their workflow and leasing traffic utilizing this software. At any time, someone from their headquarters office can hit a single button and see, up to the minute, what their activity looks like.

Users can easily share data with their business partners, lenders or other parties with the click of a mouse in a secure environment. In our incredibly fast-paced world, having information on time and on the mark can be critical to getting a deal done.

As property management systems providers continue to move forward with new technologies, real estate companies are faced with the task of re-examining their current systems in the context of what has become available. Every senior management team should ask itself how quickly decisions can be made with their existing system.

They should consider whether their competitors are running on systems that could enable them to pull ahead in terms of operating performance.

Finally, they should determine whether their software vendor has a specific upgrade plan in place for them--or whether they will be required to re-buy the entire environment if and when it is migrated to a browser-based or future technology plan.

During this process, companies should be sure that they partner or continue to partner with a vendor that embraces future technologies while continuing to uphold the traditional standards that make a software vendor successful. This includes topnotch support and all of the auditability, integrity and controls that comprise a superior accounting system.

Looking ahead, we can expect to see continued adoption of browser-enabled technology.

Capabilities will become even more sophisticated, with additional conveniences like mobile-based computing features just around the corner. It truly is an exciting time for both the users and vendors of real estate property management systems, as the e-commerce-based world has finally arrived.