TOPIC: Yardi Voyager vs. RealPage's OneSite

My company owns and manage about 5,000 units throughout Texas. We have been with Yardi for the past four-plus years, but have heard great things about the massive integration available through OneSite. Does anybody have any opinions or recommendations?

Ian-

We own and manage about 3,000 units in Indiana & Ohio. We have used OneSite now for about 4 years, and also use a number of their integrated products including screening, online payments, online leasing, online service requests, Yieldstar Revenue Management, and the CrossFire Contact Center. OK, that's pretty much all of their products, but I can say that we have been very happy with them. Is there something in particular you have a question about?

We have serious concerns about the low level of customer support for small fry like us, billing errors, and getting locked into a system where we have no access to our database. Unlike Yardi, OneSite uses a proprietary database and does not give customers access to this data. Also, since all add-on services are subsidiaries, rather that independant companies like with Yardi, if we have a problem we have very little recourse, and no viable threat to leave. We are also worried about price increases after the inital contract expiration. Finally, we have concerns about the back end accounting and limited tools to research payment, credits and debits vs. Yardi.

Have you made a decision?

There are many differences between the two that should be considered. You should consider doing a formal software selection process to insure you select the best one for you.

We use Onesite at UDR. As the Assistant Manager, I do all the billing and accounting. It's fairly easy to use.I've previously used Skyline and AMSI at other companies, and Onesite is incredibly easy to use. The company is also rolling out online payments through a link between Onesite and the company website. I've never used Yardi, but love Onesite.

Ian-

There are a number of other products that integrate with OneSite, so you don't have to feel tied to their product line. From a customer support standpoint it really depends on what your needs are. If you need them to hold your hand, don't count on it. We have not seen price increases in on the products we have signed on with for 4 years. They do increase prices on products, but it applies to new users. I want to say we typically sign 5 year agreements with the products and until renewal don't see increases. Can't speak on the accounting piece as we don't use that product.

Good luck with the choice.

Hi Ian! I agree with some of the other comments regarding accessibility with RealPage verses YARDI who also offers either YARDI hosting or self-hosting. Part of the appeal of realpage is the interfacing with other products but more and more this is available other ways. Actually, On-Site.com was the very first company to merge Resident Screening with Automated Documents, either your own or Blue Moon's and On-Site.com (not to be confused with realpage's onesite)is able to integrate with YARDI, MRI, E-Site, etc. and RentBureau which is really gaining momentum in Atlanta.

Let me know if I can help.

Tarla McCann

There are pros and cons to both systems. If trying to decide between the two be sure to read my blog entry on software selection. I strongly advise hiring an independent consultant to help you select the right solution.

We are in the processing of switching our software right now (currently using an old old version of Yardi). So far OneSite is looking really good to us, but we are still exploring our options. I need to get a bunch of user testimonials for whatever we pick so please let me know about your experiences with whichever product you are using (positive or negative). Especially if you have switched over from Yardi to something else--how did that process go?

Does anybody know what the cheapest option out of the bigger ones (Yardi, MRI, ASMI, OneSite) is? Yardi Voyager appears to be cheaper, but representatives at other companies have warned me that Yardi customers often complain that they were underquoted and end up paying much more in the end once everything is implemented.

Thanks for the imput!

What are you doing about accounting? Will you use OneSite Accounting?

Have you completed the decision or still in the process? If still in the process check out my blog about software selections:

http://www.multifamilyinsiders.com/home/multifamily-blogs/Software-Selections.html

You might also find this one of use:

http://www.multifamilyinsiders.com/home/multifamily-blogs/ASP-vs.-Self-Hosting.html

Feel free to contact me with any questions.