Entrata vs. MRI Residential Management

Entrata isn't perfect, but it is heads and shoulders above its competitors. They consistently respond to customer needs and continually add to their suite of services. The platform is attractive and was built for Google Chrome from the get-go, unlike some competitors that were stuck on Internet Explorer for years and years. That might not mean much to some, but I think it exemplifies that Entrata puts user experience first. It has a robust array of functions and I'm happy to use it. For email marketing, Entrata is great. If you market by text message, Entrata is probably not your best bet. Customers are opted out of texts by default, so we've had to explore other avenues for mass text communications.

Incentivized

Well suited scenario - MRI Residential is obviously good for residential real estate. It doesn't make sense to just plug in industrial, hotel or commercial real estate management as those are different types of products. Those who have access to the cloud can easily download information off site to do an analysis. Less appropriate - Information may need to be scrubbed. For instance, there could be operating statements that are inputted incorrectly because items are miscoded.

• Integration of lead-generation database with a website.
• Ease of communication with apartment residents via email marketing, text, and web messaging.
• Streamlined invoice and purchase management.
• Standard website CMS functionality.
• Unlimited file and asset storage in the cloud.

Incentivized

• Reporting
• Tracking Data

Incentivized

• Sometimes, some of our customers won't require a follow-up but there isn't an option to opt them out of follow-ups but the leads will still appear.
• Access. Some of the things that should be accessible to all team members aren't (creating templates, saving signatures, or seeing credit screening details) and putting in a ticket or asking for permission can be time-consuming.

Incentivized

• Sometimes the data that is outputted is not consistent (back end of the database is constantly being updated), have to follow up with our client relationship manager
• Sometimes very rigid
• Incremental cost to add on information (if we want MRI to host certain documents in the cloud)

I've used Entrata with three companies, all of whom have had an in-house liaison to the company. Consequently, I haven't had to work directly with Entrata support on very many occasions. However, I have personally seen feature requests added to the platform in a timely manner. That kind of service is rare in this industry.

Incentivized

They have a terrible help center and the training tools and videos are useless and not helpful. They need to invest in better training tools and modules for people to refer to. Especially when there is no designated training person within a company to teach newcomers how to use it.

Incentivized

Entrata is completely cloud-based and provides much more integrated functionality, but fewer custom features. Also, Entrata's UI could be greatly improved. Overall, Entrata's API is more open and allows for more third-party integrations and ILS connectivity over time than its competitors. Combining the marketing portal (website, email marketing, SMS) with leasing management (renter invoices, rent collection, late fees, move in/move out checklists) provides for a unique, bundled service platform.

Incentivized

We had a proprietary access database, but wanted to utilize MRI because of support (annual fee is in the tens of thousands versus a hundred thousand plus build out). The user interface is pretty straight forward, and there is available training as well. Updates are done online via the SAAS website so we don't have to worry about any coding issues here in house.

• Entrata has helped keep our budgeting in order and has made it simple to generate financial reports.

Incentivized

• Helps track income
• Helps with on-time billing
• Keeps us on budget with projects

Incentivized