Article Student Living is a company that provides accommodation facilities for the student . As business continued to grow, the team realized they needed better management of their properties efficiently. They want to manage it in a smooth manner with the help of technology. Erica White, the Senior Vice President of Technology and Strategic Innovation, explains how the company has improved its operations with the help of a custom-built data platform.
In late 2023, Article Student Living was taken over by a global real estate investment company. This helps them invest more in student housing, which is in high demand. However, as the company grew, so did the challenges. Managing one of the big businesses in this sector. meant they had to focus more on efficiency. “There’s a lot happening across our properties,” Erica says. “We need to make sure students have a great experience while also keeping things organized behind the scenes.”
To handle this growth, the company decided to focus on real-time data and smart technology. They want to merge their system in one platrform , making it easier to monitor properties, solve issues quickly, and ensure everything is going fit and fine, as expected. By combining different tools,they created a powerful solution that helps them make better decisions.
One of the biggest challenges was finding out the specific system.and they did not find much flexibility in any of these systems according to their needs , so they built their own platform, called Unite. Unite is a custom-made system that works on large amounts of data. This means Article can make proper management of his property and make smarter business decisions.
For example, Unite collects data from security cameras and access control systems, helping staff to manage the properties in a proper manner . The cameras provide real-time data and also have an automated alert system for unusual things. This allows the team to respond quickly to any issues. The system also helps analyze how spaces are being used—by looking at where students gather the most, with the help of this, they can plan future developments more effectively.
Using this data-driven approach has made a big difference. One major improvement is that time saving to review the security footage which previously took much time . Now, with automated event tagging, they can find important moments 90% faster. This saves time and ensures quick responses to any concerns.
Technology is also helping Article in other operations. They have started using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency. AI helps in different methods . AI also plays a role in rent collection.by sending the reminder allotment to the student, with the help of these features of AI now rent payment is going in a smoother way.
Another big change has been the introduction of self-guided tours.instead of a pre schedule visit by the leasing agent , now they are able to visit the property by themselves . This means they can visit the housing at their own pace, without worrying about scheduling conflicts.With the help of this system students are now free from scheduling visit barriers and also from busy scheduling seasons.
The impact of self-guided tours is a big game changer, in the context of time saving,because more than half of these tours happen outside regular business hours, showing that students are interested to visit in their free time. By making it easier for students to explore properties on their own, Article has modernized the leasing process and made it more student-friendly.
Looking back, Erica believes only data is not enough , it also needs the proper operation of data, according to the statement of Erica . “They don’t just collect information. They use it to improve operations, reduce costs, and create better living experiences for students,” she noted.. By using smart technology and the right tools, Article continues to grow making student housing better, more efficient, and more enjoyable.
For Article, the goal is simple—keep improving, keep innovating, and keep making student housing as easy and comfortable as possible. With the immigration of the right technology and proper utilisation of this technology they are setting an example for a proper and better standard of living for the students.
