Amidst the ongoing pandemic, technology has become a lifeline we can't possibly survive without. Covid-19 as a crisis has become a catalyst, creating a brighter than before future for technology to pervade our daily lives even more to simplify it.
In FY21, it's projected that the Indian IT service revenue could reach $194 billion by end of FY 20-21, an increase of 2.3% from the previous year.
Virtual customer service, contactless payments, on-demand food delivery, daily needs and services bookings, telemedicine, and digital workshops in education have already gained strong traction in even remote areas of the world. So how does technology help the functioning of gated societies? Let's find out.
To maintain safety and privacy
If your guards are still using the time consuming pen and paper entry registration system, your housing society is behind the times. Even if you install a PC or access control system, it doesn't solve the gatekeeping problem in real time. An intelligent society management is the smartest technology you'll use for completely securing the gate with minimum expenses.
Residents can invite visitors with a one time password which gets acknowledged and the details get recorded on the guard's version of the app. Maids, other domestic and maintenance staff get a unique passcode for daily entry. Group gate pass for contractors and labourers, move in/move out procedure for tenants and package/materials gate pass can also be facilitated. Other useful features of the society management app,MyGate ,the most widely used society app include child safety protocols, panic alert, facial recognition technology-based attendance, photo capture, overstay alert and domestic staff attendance and tracking.
For contactless deliveries and Covid protection
Residents can use the 'leave at gate' feature to have the package delivered at the guard's desk which can be later collected with a passcode verification. Group notifications can keep the residents apprised of quarantined apartments and containment zones while a tie-up with M-fine offers discounted medicines at home and medical assistance is available through tie-ups with Portea and Nightingales, StanPlus (which offer Covid related Emergency Services). Covid-19 related news, latest information and updates in your city are made available through the Newschecker feature.
Tie-ups with Swiggy, Grofers and 12 partners ensure sanitized deliveries at the doorstep.
To manage assets and amenities
Society MC/facilities managers get access to a unique admin dashboard through which they can handle logistics and operational activities like tracking inventory and assets of the society (supplies, equipment, permanent electrical/mechanical fixtures, composting units, fire safety systems, HVAC, etc.).
Clubhouse, gym, pool and other amenities can be managed with an in-app calendar where residents can book their preferred slots, ensuring fair use amenities. App can be configured to allot a monthly limit of use per household.
For parking management
Vehicle management is made easier with digital tracking and retrieval of owners through their vehicle number (if they've parked in someone's spot) and automatic update to the guard of the remaining number of spots in the visitor parking lot based on incoming and outgoing vehicles.
For automation of monthly maintenance bills
MC can follow this easy workflow so that there are minimum monthly maintenance bill defaulters.
Set the rate of invoice based on precalculated template (per sq ft, flat rate, hybrid)
Send automated email/text reminders before the payment due date
Receive online payments through integration of payment gateways (mobile wallets, NetBanking - MyGate transactions are at zero convenience fees).
You can create different customizable accounting categories for revenue tracking, daily cash expenses, advance/arrears reports, generate collection lists of monthly dues, charge fines to defaulters (based on number of days or percentage of the main amount) and create an easy workflow for approval of payments from MC in order to manage vendor expenses through a top of the line embedded accounting suite.
Additionally, accounting reports for annual general meetings like BS, P&L, GST Report, TDS Report, etc. can also be generated in-app.
For group communication & benefits
Different society notices, opinion polls, meeting schedule/announcement, secret polls can be created for a more connected community and collective decision making.
Integrations with ANPR (Auto Number Plate Recognition System) and multiple prepaid meters vendors provide ease of vehicle tracking and movement within the society premises.
For faster complaint management
Residents facing electrical, plumbing or any other maintenance complaints, can raise a ticket in-app which gets auto assigned to the right department and streamlined for solutions. Residents can track the status of the complaint and re-raise the complaint if needed.
If you're considering which type of technology to invest in over and above security cameras, or disparate tools and apps which are built for general purpose, instead choose a tailor-made app that provides 100% data security on a private cloud and can provide custom solutions for every type of society's operational, financial, communication and safety measures. They cost the least and accomplish the most at lightning fast speeds, easy to operate interface and simple instructions that can automate any task at hand.
