Multifamily Brainstorming 2009

Multifamily TechnologyFor Today and Tomorrow

Residents don’t careabout the network...

They care about what it enables them to do.

Technology Amenities• What role will technology play in the operation of your property?

• Will technology be a driving factor in your

ability to attract and retain residents?

• Where will you most likely need technology amenities (club room, fitness center, common area Wi-Fi, units, etc.)?

How Residents Live

Electronics come before furniture

Moving In to the New Apartment:Pre-Furniture Essentials

Sleeping Bag

Beer

iPod, Video Games,

Misc. Electronics

Moving in requires a wheelbarrow.

More examples: Finally moved in…

What Residents Want

Options

Multiple Service Providers• Do you offer residents their choice of telecom providers? (Can you afford not to?) • If so, how many and who will they be?• What does your resident profile require?• How do you wire for multiple providers?

Provider Technology Platform• Delivery platforms for each provider? • Special infrastructure required? • Ability to offer “life safety” lines? (elevator, fire alarm, emergency pool) • Common infrastructure or dedicated systems?

Structured Cabling at the Property• Who will provide? • Design and install myself, or let the provider do the wiring? • How much is too much? Too little?• Value added to the property?• What else can I use it for?

Cabling Ownership• Do I need to own and control the wiring?• From what point do I feel comfortable with that ownership? • If I hand over ownership to the provider, what do I give up?

Questions about “Future-Proofing”• Do I need to own and control the wiring?• What if I need to change providers in the future?• Do I have pathways for future cabling?• Can I convert to a satellite provider?• Do I have a roof location for a dish farm?

Contract Negotiations• How do I enter into a mutually beneficial agreement that also protects against poor performance?

Wi-Fi and Cell Phone Coverage

Clubhouse and Fitness Center

www.flickr.com/photos/toastforbrekkie/3860385763/

Security and Access Control

www.flickr.com/photos/muehlinghaus/241755891/

Security and Access Control• Is visitor communications to the resident

required? (clubhouse, fitness center, etc.)• What other building systems may require access to the communications networks?

More to Consider:• Sub-metering• Green technology (solar, smart irrigation, etc.)• What else?

Case Study: Buyer Beware

420 Units in San Francisco• Recently acquired• Cable company not performing• Wiring – 12-15 years old• Resident couldn’t get HDTV• Building rewired at owner’s expense• $1,800 per unit = $756,000

What You Don’t Want

Poor cellular coverage

Cabling messes in the unit

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Wiring shortcuts that limit options

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Would you want this in your closet?

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For today’s residents, great technology is no longer an afterthought or a luxury amenity … it’s a requirement.

www.flickr.com/photos/jiscinfonet/382720191/

Richard Holtzrichard.holtz@electronicarchitect.com

InfiniSys Electronic ArchitectsElectronicArchitect.com386.236.1500