Mr. Klews, you know the property management market in Germany inside out. For a long time, the industry was considered to be extremely skeptical of digital innovations - is that still the case?
The industry has undergone a noticeable development in recent years. While many property managers were hesitant in the past, digitalization is now really picking up speed. The big challenge now is to make sensible use of the new technological possibilities. AI, automation and digital platforms offer enormous opportunities, but they need to be put into practice. It is not only crucial to develop innovative technologies, but also to integrate them into the everyday lives of property managers in such a way that they bring real benefits.
How do you react if you come across an administrator who rejects digital solutions on principle?
Skepticism often arises from uncertainty. Many administrators are concerned that a digital switchover is complicated or risky. But I speak from experience when I say that the opposite is true. The most important thing is to make the added value immediately recognizable. As soon as administrators see how much time they save with our solution, they are usually quickly convinced. That's why we make sure that interested parties can test our platform without any obligation. This allows them to see for themselves how easy the changeover is. Data migration in particular is a critical point for many. We have developed processes that enable a quick and smooth changeover. One customer with 2,000 administrative units completed the entire changeover in just 19 days - from initial contact to full implementation. A digital transformation in real estate management doesn't have to be complicated.
Which technological trends are currently of particular interest to the real estate industry and how should companies behave in times of change?
It is clear that artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role. While many AI applications are overestimated in the short term, their long-term potential lies in the automation of complex processes. But without a well thought-out digitalization of the fundamentals, even the best AI is useless. I am convinced that a practice-oriented approach is profitable. AI must be used in a targeted manner where it offers real added value - for example in accounting or automated workflows. We are not interested in technology for technology's sake, but in making work easier.
Your company Impower has developed a cloud-based accounting and ERP platform. What was the original vision behind its foundation?
Five years ago, I became involved in a property management company and realized that the existing ERP systems did not adequately support the work of the managers. Many processes were complicated, inefficient and not very automated. We quickly realized that this had to change. Our aim was therefore to develop software that is easy to introduce
and intuitive to use, that understands and automates practical processes. In this way, we create more time, flexibility and ultimately a more attractive working environment for administrators. Our solution has fundamentally changed the market because we have rethought real estate management. This is also reflected in our name: Impower is a combination of "real estate" and "empowerment". We want to enable property managers to work more efficiently, generate more revenue and future-proof their processes in the long term.
How does your solution differ from traditional systems?
Impower is a modern, cloud-based software that is location-independent and future-proof. In contrast to traditional, server-based systems, we focus on creating a solution that is easy to implement and intuitive to use. This minimizes the amount of training required and makes it easier to get started - especially for employees from outside the industry. Our biggest advantage is that we develop our platform based on practical experience. As our COO is a property manager himself, we are very familiar with the challenges of day-to-day property management and tailor our functions accordingly. On average, our customers manage three times as many units per accountant with our software than with conventional systems. We also offer in-depth analyses that go far beyond traditional accounting functions. Managers receive
detailed insights into their workflows, the accounting status or the efficiency of their employees and can optimize their processes in a targeted manner.
What is the biggest challenge that managers will have to overcome in the coming years?
The real estate industry is struggling with an increasing shortage of skilled workers, which will become even more acute in the future. According to forecasts, around five million jobs could remain unfilled by 2030. Our software significantly reduces the number of staff required by automating repetitive tasks and simplifying processes. At the same time, it is designed so intuitively that even employees from outside the industry can easily get to grips with administration. Increasing bureaucracy is another problem. Legal
requirements are increasing and processes are becoming more complex. Many administrators spend a large part of their time on administrative tasks instead of taking care of their actual core work at
. This is where Impower comes in: Through automation and digital processes, we enable administrators to focus more on their actual tasks again.
This interview was first published in Immo, the magazine for the real estate industry.
