What do the cloud and the Internet of Things mean for the future of property management? We asked Genea Energy Partners CEO Michael Wong about the latest developments in property management software

and services, which is the Irvine-based company's specialty.

1.  What's on the cutting edge of property management?

Michael says identifying and implementing the appropriate tech tools is an increasing focus of property managers, mainly because they're continuously

being asked to do more with less. To keep up with increasing demands, managers are turning towards automating more of their processes, which allows them to operate buildings more efficiently. Also, tenants expect owners to keep properties updated to handle new tech in the workspace. As their own businesses become more reliant on technology, it's natural that tenant workspaces reflect that requirement.

2. Do property managements have the tools they need?

On the whole, yes, Michael says. Improvements in cloud

technology and the Internet of Things have made these tools more affordable and easier to deploy, allowing for broader adoption

. ACS Cloud

, for instance, is quickly becoming the industry standard in conveniently providing tenants with immediate access to after-hours HVAC service in commercial office buildings. It also automates the workflow for property management teams, allowing them to focus on other important tasks. In terms of other tools, the myriad of options can be a challenge for managers to navigate. Peer-to-peer feedback is still one of the best methods for identifying the options that will help optimize

the value of a property. Pictured: 299k SF Pacific Arts Plaza in Costa Mesa, a building using Genea's ACS Cloud

.

3.  How does Orange County rank in terms of building owners and property managers early adoption of new ways to manage buildings?

In his company's home market of Orange County, Michael explains, "we're fortunate that many building owners have been interested in driving operational improvements in property management for a long time now." Irvine Co has a prominent role in this market and has been a leader in innovation. "We've had the benefit of working closely with the company in identifying ways to streamline and improve operational workflow," he adds. "In fact, it's a competitive advantage for us having sophisticated property managers right in our backyard. Many of the improvements we’ve incorporated in our service offerings come directly from the feedback of clients in this market."