Drag
logo-img

Custom Software Development for A Facility Management Company

The company, which is into full-service real estate management and investment firm, required a custom software solution to streamline their service offerings for property management, association management, and tenant engagement. The objective was to develop a scalable, user-friendly platform utilizing .NET to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and support the firm’s growing portfolio of clients.

This case study highlights the end-to-end development of a custom software platform tailored to the client’s unique requirements and the challenges addressed during the project.

Challenges

  1. Integration of Diverse Services:
    • Company offers a wide range of services, including amenities management, association training, and facilities management, requiring a unified digital solution.
  2. Data Management:
    • Efficiently handling property data, tenant records, and maintenance requests across multiple locations while ensuring data accuracy and security.
  3. User Accessibility:
    • Creating an intuitive interface for board members, property managers, and residents with varying levels of technical proficiency.
  4. Scalability:
    • Building a platform that can scale to accommodate client’s expanding client base and service areas.
  5. Compliance and Security:
    • Ensuring compliance with real estate regulations and implementing robust data security measures.

Solutions

The solution was a custom-built, .NET-based platform designed with modular architecture and integrated features to address the identified challenges:

  1. Web Portal Development:
    • A centralized web application using ASP.NET Core, providing access to services like account management, maintenance requests, and reporting violations.
  2. Data Management Integration:
    • Utilized Entity Framework Core to create a robust, relational database structure in SQL Server for storing and retrieving data efficiently.
  3. User Experience Design:
    • Implemented responsive design principles using Razor Pages and Blazor to ensure a seamless user experience across devices.
  4. Scalability and Microservices:
    • Designed a microservices architecture with REST APIs, enabling modular development and future scalability.
  5. Secure Authentication and Compliance:
    • Integrated Microsoft Identity for secure user authentication, role-based access control, and adherence to local data protection laws.

Technology Slacks

Dask

Scikit Learn

Plotly

LLM

Python

Dash

XGBoost

Power BI

Impacts

  1. Requirements Gathering:
    • Conducted detailed discovery sessions with stakeholders to map out system requirements and prioritize features.
  2. Development and Testing:
    • Built modular components for each service, ensuring seamless integration.
    • Performed unit and integration testing using xUnit to ensure reliability.
  3. Data Migration:
    • Migrated legacy data from spreadsheets and other systems into the new platform using custom ETL scripts.
  4. Deployment:
    • Deployed the solution on Microsoft Azure for high availability and reliability.
    • Leveraged Docker containers for simplified deployment and scalability.
  5. Post-Deployment Support:
    • Provided ongoing maintenance and support to ensure smooth operations and address user feedback.

Benefits

  1. Enhanced Efficiency:
    • Automated workflows reduced manual effort for property managers and improved response times.
  2. Improved User Experience:
    • The intuitive platform enabled seamless interactions for residents, board members, and property managers.
  3. Scalability:
    • The modular architecture allowed client to add new features and support additional users with ease.
  4. Data Security and Compliance:
    • Ensured secure handling of sensitive user and property data, meeting industry standards.

Future Scope

  1. Mobile App Development:
    • Develop companion mobile applications for iOS and Android to enhance accessibility.
  2. AI-Driven Analytics:
    • Implement predictive analytics for maintenance schedules and tenant trends using Azure Machine Learning.
  3. Expanded Services:
    • Integrate support for multilingual users and additional regions to accommodate client’s growth.
  4. Interactive Dashboards:
    • Introduce advanced reporting and visualization for data insights.

Conclusion

The custom software solution developed using .NET technologies has significantly streamlined their operations and improved client engagement. The scalable architecture, coupled with robust security and compliance measures, positions the platform as a cornerstone of the firm’s digital strategy. This project demonstrates the potential of tailored software development in addressing unique business challenges and delivering measurable impact.