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Software developers are driven by the same set of economic rules that motivate any other business. For many years, real estate was ignored as software dollars flowed into projects with higher economic rewards such as manufacturing, sales, order management, and accounting. As recently as 2000, research indicated that few corporations had integrated corporate real estate systems ([5] Fransson and Nelson, 2000). Much has changed since Richard [8] Jones (2000) discussed generic attributes of software systems and considerations in their purchase and implementation in this journal. A wider range of real estate software tools is now available, making the choices more complicated and time consuming. Researchers in other fields have suggested frameworks and criteria for selection of IT systems ([16] Teltumbde, 2000; [10] Kumar et al. , 2002; [17] Wei et al. , 2005; [14] Reuthe and Chattopadhyay, 2004) and software providers ([4] Ekanayaka et al. , 2003). We need similar guides for corporate real estate management.
The purpose of this paper is to empower real estate managers to identify and assess appropriate software systems. Corporate real estate managers can use the suggested systematic approach to help define their requirements and evaluate available solutions without relying entirely on their information technology (IT) departments who do not have real estate experience and understanding. The first half of the paper reviews important concepts that a non-IT manager needs to understand to be a smart consumer. Included is a process that real estate managers can use to identify their IT needs and evaluate potential solutions. The outline and checklist provided in Table I [Figure omitted. See Article Image.] can be used to organize and execute a real estate system solution of any size in any industry. Managers can learn from the successes and failures illustrated in the stories from both real estate and other functional areas. The second half of the paper discusses the categories of software solutions available to corporate real estate managers to plan, acquire, manage, and dispose of properties. They can use this organizational structure to define their software requirements and decide whether point solutions or an integrated system better serves their needs.
I. Software selection
Most personal computer users can select and handle word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, e-mail, and database software, but few non-experts...