AppWork 2024 Year in Review

AppWork 2024 Year in Review

As 2024 draws to a close, we at AppWork are thrilled to reflect on a year of unprecedented innovation and progress. This year, we pushed boundaries, fine-tuned our solutions, and launched a suite of groundbreaking features that further solidify AppWork as the premier choice for multifamily maintenance management. Let’s take a journey through 2024 and celebrate the milestones that made this year exceptional.

January: Seamless Integration and Smarter Tools

New Features and Enhancements

• Easy-Peasy Work Order Submission
  Residents can now submit work orders without logging in, using property-wide or unit-specific URLs.
• Technician Mapping with Yardi
  Technicians in AppWork can be directly mapped to Yardi techs for seamless integration.
• Tech Timer & Yardi Sync
  Work order times are posted directly to Yardi's labor section when the technician timer is active.
• Auto-Ready Status from Yardi
  The 'ready' status is now pulled directly from Yardi, eliminating the need for manual updates.
• Smarter Make-Ready Board Management
  Units are automatically removed from the make-ready board based on management software integration.
• Revamped Email Notifications
  Admin-tagged work order emails now include property names for better context.
• Work Order Priority in Yardi
  Work order priority levels set in AppWork are now posted directly into Yardi.
• Technician Skills Assignment Fix
  Resolved an issue where technician skills weren’t properly considered during manual work order assignments.
• Enhanced Purchase Order Emails
  Purchase order emails now contain all necessary details within the email body.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

• Offline Mode Sync Bar
  A new sync bar on the settings page allows technicians to track task sync progress in offline mode.
• Logout Re-sync Feature
  Automatic data re-syncing upon logout ensures no information is lost.
• Enhanced Pull to Refresh
  After multiple refresh attempts, a popup prompts users to report issues directly to the team.
• Offline Mode Popup
  A new popup informs users about available features when offline.
• Refresh Icon Re-positioned
  The pull-to-refresh icon is now located below the camera notch for better accessibility.
• Improved Refresh Usability
  General enhancements have been made for smoother data refreshing. User Experience Improvements
• Mention Residents in Comments
  Technicians can now directly mention residents in comments, if system settings permit.
• Logout Button Issue Resolved
  Fixed an issue preventing the logout button from displaying on the settings page.
• Resident Notification Alert
  Alerts now appear only when relevant to the technician.
• Improved Error Logging
  Enhanced logging facilitates more effective error and bug reporting.
• Homebar Display Fix
  Corrected a display issue with the homebar after creating a work order.
• Inspection Date Accuracy
  Fixed an issue with incorrect inspection creation dates.
• Improved Splash Screen
  Users can enjoy a more polished startup experience with the updated splash screen.

Reports and Roles

• New Make Ready Task Report
  Provides a detailed view of tasks, completion dates, technicians/vendors, and photos in one comprehensive report.
• Refined Callback Report Now exclusively features data from active technicians.
• Date Filter for Technician Callback Report
  Introduced a date filter to unlock new insights.

New Roles and System Updates

• New Staff Role—"User"
  Designed with limited settings access, focusing solely on operational functionalities.
• New System Admin Role
  Grants access to system settings without the broad reach of a super admin.
• Select/Deselect All Properties
  Streamlines staff settings management with new bulk select/deselect options.

February: Customization Revolutionized

• Customizable Make Ready Board Columns: Introduced customizable columns, including checkboxes, text fields, tags, date fields, and monetary fields, allowing for tailored tracking and organization.
  
• Admin Task Assignment: Enabled the assignment of make ready tasks to admins, expanding task management capabilities.
• Crew Assignment Controls: Provided options to specify who can complete make ready tasks (vendors, technicians, or admins), offering greater control over task assignments.
• Bulk Action Functionality: Introduced bulk actions for make ready board management, streamlining operations.
• Property-Level Customization: Allowed adjustments to make ready columns at the property settings level for enhanced customization.
• Inspection Updates:
  Renamed Yes/No options to "Yes Issue" and "No Issue" for clearer communication.
  Implemented a new error page for canceled inspection links to prevent resident confusion.
• Ratings & Reviews Report: Launched a new report to gain insights into resident sentiment and technician performance.
• Selective Yardi Data Import: Enabled selection of specific work order categories to import from Yardi, providing more control over data integration.
• Staff Member Export: Added the ability to export a list of staff members, ensuring up-to-date crew rosters.
• Expanded Icon Library: Added over 150 new icons to the dashboard for enhanced visual representation.
• Unit Information Enhancements:
  Enabled tracking of floor levels and building numbers for each unit, providing precise location data.
• Timeline Accuracy Improvements: Enhanced accuracy for timeline events during technician phone calls.
• Time Entry Editing: Allowed editing of time entries after task completion, with edit capabilities configurable in system settings.
• Visible Start and Stop Times: Technicians can now view their start and stop times on the task timeline, facilitating better time tracking.
• Manual Timer Entries: Introduced the ability to manually add timer entries to any open task, ensuring accurate timesheets.
• Timer History Access: Technicians can review the timer history of any task, providing insights into time management.
• Resolved Disappearing Comments Issue: Fixed the issue of disappearing comments on the timeline, ensuring all inputs are retained.
• ETA Notification Control: System admins can now disable the ETA Notification button, preventing unnecessary notifications to residents.
• Improved Language Switching: Enhanced the language switching feature to prevent app crashes, ensuring a smoother user experience.
• Login Code Issue Resolved: Addressed issues related to logging in using the login code, ensuring a seamless entry process.
• General App Maintenance: Performed general maintenance to enhance app stability and performance.
• Crash Fixes: Resolved various app crashes to provide a more stable user experience.
• User Interface Enhancements: Implemented UI tweaks for improved aesthetics and usability.

March: AI and Automation Take Center Stage

• Completion Notes for Vendor Work Orders: Admins can now add completion notes to vendor work orders, facilitating better communication and feedback.
• Yardi Post Error Tracking: Implemented error tracking for Yardi postings, providing detailed error information to streamline troubleshooting.
• Insight Reports Layout Makeover: Revamped the layout of insight reports in the admin portal to match email layouts, enhancing readability.
• Search by Work Order ID: Enabled searching for work orders using the management software’s work order ID, simplifying retrieval.
• Enhanced RealPage Integration: Improved integration by importing building numbers alongside unit numbers, providing more detailed property information.
• Automated Make-Ready Board Updates: Units are now automatically added to the make-ready board when a resident gives notice, streamlining the turnover process.
• Improved Work Order Characterization: Upgraded AI model for smarter and faster categorization of work orders, enhancing efficiency.
• Bulk Email Issue Fixed: Resolved an issue preventing some users from sending bulk emails, improving communication capabilities.
• Admin Notification for Make Ready Comments: Ensured admins receive notifications when mentioned in make-ready comments, enhancing team communication.
• Other Small Updates and Improvements: Implemented various minor updates to enhance overall user experience and software performance.
• Enhanced Issue Reporting: Introduced a minimum character requirement for issue reports to ensure detailed and actionable submissions.
• Sort by Unit Option: Added the ability to sort tasks by unit, aiding in better task organization.
• Filter by Property Option: Enabled filtering of tasks by property, allowing technicians to focus on relevant assignments.
• Improved Sync Error Messaging: Enhanced sync error popups with clearer messaging and direct support contact options.
• Bulk Select for Self-Assignment: Introduced a bulk select option for unassigned work orders, enabling efficient self-assignment of multiple tasks.
• Full Property Address Access: Provided access to full property addresses within task details, beneficial for technicians managing multiple sites.
• Multiple Other Fixes and Improvements: Implemented various small fixes and enhancements to improve app performance and user experience.

April: A Springboard for Innovation

• Fast Break Fixes: Resolved the issue where technicians received assignment texts without corresponding work orders in the app.
• Jersey Numbers for Work Orders: Work order assignment texts now include unique numbers for easier identification.
• Alley-Oop Integration: Rolled out Make Ready integration for ResMan clients, streamlining setup processes.
• Rookie to Pro: Introduced the "basic user" role, allowing focus on tasks without access to settings or user management.
• Playbook Clarity: Revamped wording and layout in system settings for improved usability.
• Manual Scorekeeping: Enabled technicians to manually add time worked, ensuring accurate tracking.
• Highlight Reel Notifications: Admin notifications now include task names when mentioned in Make Ready board comments.
• Scouting by Name: Enhanced search functionality to include technician last names for work orders.
• Mobile Play Calls: Enabled conversion of inspections into work orders directly from mobile devices.
• Fan Feedback: Residents are now required to leave a star rating with their reviews, ensuring comprehensive feedback.
• Bench Depth: Implemented numerous small enhancements and improvements for a smoother experience.
• Full-Court Press on Glitches: Addressed issues including reopening work orders, ghost emails, blank Make Ready boards, missing vendor logos, and absent vendors.
• Five New Custom Make Ready Columns: Introduced columns for Days Vacant, Floorplan Name, SQFT, On Notice Resident Name, and On Notice Resident Number to improve tracking.
• Bulk Actions Enhancement: Enabled selection of entire columns for bulk actions on the Make Ready board, streamlining management.
• Response Time Report: Launched a new report to track work order completion times by property or team.
• Automated Work Orders from Inspections: Enabled automatic generation of work orders from completed inspections, converting action items seamlessly.
• Online Reviews Prompt: Residents leaving 3-star or higher ratings are now prompted to post their reviews online, encouraging feedback.
  
• Move-In Date Alerts: Implemented alerts for tasks scheduled after move-in dates, ensuring timely completions.
• Bug Fixes and Enhancements: Addressed multiple bugs and made various improvements to enhance user experience.
• Instant Resident Feedback Emails: Introduced email notifications for resident reviews, categorized into Positive Vibes (4 or 5-star reviews) and Neutral Feedback (1-3 star reviews).
• Make-Ready Board Speed Boost: Enhanced the Make-Ready board for faster performance and reduced waiting times.
• Portfolio-Level Make-Ready Exceptions: Introduced portfolio-level exceptions to ensure no move-ins are missed, accessible under Reports > Make Ready Metrics.

May: Advanced Management Systems

Work Orders:

• Resolved issues with the Auto Assign feature to ensure efficient task allocation.
• Fixed errors encountered when printing certain work orders.
• Removed the "No Access" option from the admin portal for property work orders, allowing them to function independently.
• Improved accuracy in work order counts throughout the system.
  Make Readies:
• Overhauled the make-ready board for increased speed and reduced loading times.
• Added the ability to clear data for each custom column on the make-ready board.
• Fixed a bug causing the make-ready page to go blank during timer events.
• Corrected time entries for make-ready tasks, eliminating the "NaN" error.
  Inspections:
• Prevented the inspections page from crashing when searching with special characters during inspection creation.
• Redesigned the screen for canceled inspections assigned to residents, making their cancellation status clear.
• Enhanced vendor notification emails to include comprehensive information.
• Adjusted the display of vendor name initials to accommodate longer names.
• Enabled searching on the vendors page using special characters.
• Improved the display of initials for vendors without a logo.
  Settings:
• Added an option to include the staff member's title when creating a new staff member.
• Included the staff role in export options to ensure all roles are accounted for.
  Incident Reports:
• Added the unit number to incident reports in exports for enriched data.
  Reports:
• Improved mobile responsiveness to ensure reports display correctly on any device.
  AppWorkCo: Enhanced Features and Innovations
  
  • Advanced Parts Management System (Phase One): Launched the initial phase of a comprehensive parts management system to streamline inventory tracking.
    Enhanced Make-Ready Board Features:
• Added the ability to clear data for each custom column.
• Improved sorting capabilities for more columns.
• Ensured data from non-task columns remain visible even after a unit is marked as ready.
  
  • New Login Page Design: Introduced a sleek and modern login page for an improved user experience. Vendors:
  • Resident Work Order Links: Unit number suggestions now appear after entering just one character when creating a resident work order.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: Improved mobile responsiveness for the unit breakdown report.
  • Work Order AI Improvements: Enhanced AI characterization for work orders created within RealPage for smarter processing.
  • New Support Chat: Added a chat feature at the bottom right of the page for faster access to support.
  • Faster Staff Actions Tab: Significantly reduced loading times for the Staff Actions tab.
  • Average Completion Time Column: Introduced a new column in the Make Ready metrics report to track the average time taken to turn a unit.
  • Enhanced Make Ready Exports: Exports now include the date the unit was added to the board, marked as complete, and removed from the board.
  • Text Message Character Limit: Set a 320-character limit for manual text messages sent to residents to ensure concise communication.
  • Residents Index Page: Improved loading speeds for a more efficient user experience.
  • Multiple Completion Photos: Technicians can now take multiple photos when completing tasks, enhancing documentation.
  • Resident Name Visibility: Residents' names are now prominently displayed in the unit info section on tasks for smoother communication.
    Design Updates & Improvements
  • Updated the offline mode popup for improved aesthetics.
  • Ensured app data is cleared upon uninstallation for a clean slate.
  • Enhanced filter handling and unit sorting for intuitive navigation.
  • Optimized syncing processes for faster and more reliable data transfer.
  • Added error message prompts for short error reports to ensure comprehensive reporting.
  • Improved differentiation between property and unit work orders for easier identification.
  • Made various size and spacing adjustments for a polished user interface.
  • Enhanced the photo capturing experience for smoother image uploads.
  • Displayed pending badges on the badges screen for clearer visibility.

June: AppWork Launches Engrain Maps

• New Work Order Category: REAC: Introduced a new work order category called REAC to effortlessly track work orders tied to REAC inspections.
• Make Ready Date Stability: Resolved an issue where manually set ready dates on the make ready board were being overwritten, ensuring dates remain as set.
• Yardi Resident Import Enhancement: Improved the Yardi resident import process to handle edge cases more effectively, ensuring outdated resident information is replaced promptly.
• RentManager Work Order Import Improvement: Enhanced the import process for RentManager work orders, ensuring smoother integration.
• Save Button Feedback: Fixed the issue where clicking "Save" on inspection templates did not provide visual feedback, ensuring users receive confirmation upon saving.
• Custom Inspection Charges: Enabled users to add custom costs to inspection templates, allowing for real-time cost tracking, itemized expenses, and cost-inclusive exports.
• White Labeling System Revamp: Revamped the white labeling system to better incorporate company branding across the platform.
• Business Days Response Time Report: Introduced an option to view the response time report by business days only, providing clearer insights into team performance.
• Technician Deactivation Tracking: Added functionality to see who deactivated a technician and when, enhancing accountability.
• Improved Move-In Date Handling: Enhanced the handling of past move-in dates on the make ready board to prevent scheduling conflicts.
• Property Maps Integration: Launched a feature allowing users to overlay AppWork’s data onto Engrain's interactive property maps, providing a visual representation of maintenance data.
• Technician's Page Date Filter Fix: Resolved a bug affecting date filtering on the technician's page, ensuring accurate data display.
• White Labeling Enhancements: Made improvements to the white labeling system for better brand representation.
• Mobile View & Admin App Upgrades: Addressed bugs to enhance the mobile experience, ensuring smoother navigation and functionality.
• Inspection Improvements: Implemented enhancements to the inspection module for more efficient and thorough processes.

July: Recognizing Excellence with the Top Maintenance Rating Program Launch

AppWork launched the Top Maintenance Rating Program, aiming to recognize excellence in property maintenance:

• Top 25 Properties: Each season, the top 25 properties with the highest percentages of 4 and 5-star work order ratings are awarded the Top Maintenance Rating Badge.
• Resident-Verified Ratings: The badge is based on verified reviews from residents, ensuring authentic recognition of maintenance excellence.
• Seasonal Recognition: Winners are announced quarterly, providing ongoing opportunities for properties to earn and display the badge.

Program Benefits:

• Boost Resident Trust: Showcases commitment to outstanding maintenance services.
• Enhance Property Appeal: Attracts new residents with a mark of quality.
• Motivate Your Team: Encourages continuous improvement and excellence in maintenance.

AppWork introduced the Make Ready Map, enhancing maintenance management with interactive property maps:

• Interactive Make Ready Map: Utilizing Engrain maps, users can access the entire make-ready board through an interactive property map, providing a visual representation of unit readiness.
• Admin App Enhancement: Implemented login persistence, eliminating the need for repeated credential entries.

Reports Updates:

• Task Filtering: Enabled filtering of the make-ready task details report by completed or not completed tasks.
• Photo Sorting: Introduced sorting of photos in the make-ready task details report to prioritize tasks with the most photos.
• Star Rating Filter: Added the ability to filter the Ratings and Reviews report by star rating for targeted feedback analysis.
• Aging Work Orders Drill Down: Enhanced the aging work order report to handle sites with a large number of open work orders, facilitating detailed analysis.

Work Orders Improvements:

• ResMan Error Messages: Improved handling of ResMan error messages during work order exports for clearer troubleshooting.
• Resident Work Order Clarity: Updated descriptions for residents submitting work orders to encourage listing each issue separately.

Make Ready Enhancements:

• Yardi Ready Date Integration: AppWork now imports the Ready Date set in Yardi directly to the make-ready board, enhancing integration efficiency.

System Settings Updates:

• Badge Stats Visibility: Resolved issues with badge statistics, allowing super and system admins to view earned and pending badges.
• User Export Accuracy: Corrected inaccuracies in the last login data within user exports for reliable records.

Technician Module:

• Phone Number Alert: Added alerts when adding a technician’s phone number that isn’t a US number, ensuring awareness of potential communication issues.

August: Streamlining Communication and Operations

AppWork released the "Olympics Update," focusing on RealPage integration improvements and new work order categories: RealPage Integration Improvements:

• Work Order URL Access: Users can now view the AppWork work order URL directly from any work order in RealPage, eliminating the need for switching between platforms.
• Permissions Sync: Access permissions (Allowed or Not Allowed) now import seamlessly from RealPage-created work orders, ensuring consistent access control.
• Entry Notes Transfer: Entry notes from RealPage work orders are now automatically transferred into AppWork, consolidating information in one place.

New Work Order Categories: Introduced four new categories to enhance work order tracking:

• Property - Landscaping
• Plumbing - Hot Water
• General - Mailbox Key
• General - New Key

Bug Fixes:

• Resolved an issue where the search bar went blank on the work order page.
• Fixed negative numbers appearing in the "days vacant" column on the Make Ready Board.
• Addressed problems preventing work orders from exporting to management systems.
• Improved the process of generating letters.
• Corrected issues affecting move-in dates in certain scenarios.
• Fixed image upload problems during inspections.
• Added pagination to the recurring work orders page.

AppWork focused on bug fixes and minor upgrades to enhance user experience:

• Language Translation Fix: Resolved issues affecting the translation of completion notes on work orders, ensuring clarity in multiple languages.
• Technician Onboarding Enhancement: Simplified the process of adding new technicians by making the email field optional, accommodating those without email addresses.
• Inspection Module Upgrade: Implemented a minor upgrade to the admin app for inspections, improving functionality.
• Phone Number Handling Improvement: Enhanced the handling of technician phone number errors, including updates for USA/Canada area codes and formatting.
• Engrain Maps Zoom Enhancement: Improved zoom functionality on interactive Engrain maps for better navigation.
• Canceled Inspection Visibility: Enabled visibility of the cost column for canceled inspections, providing complete information.
• Dropdown Menu Fix: Resolved issues causing properties with multiple Engrain maps to appear multiple times in dropdown menus, ensuring a single listing per property.
• Technician Page Export Fix: Fixed the export feature on the technicians page to filter by property groups accurately.
• Parts Section Enhancement: Ensured that the part name remains visible when selecting the price field in the parts section, preventing disappearing text.

AppWork introduced new features to improve communication and streamline work order submissions:

• Technician Tagging on Make Ready Board: Enabled users to mention technicians directly on the Make Ready Board, facilitating real-time, two-way communication to expedite unit turnovers.
• Make Ready Board Sorting Fix: Resolved a bug affecting column sorting on the Make Ready Board, ensuring accurate organization.
• QR Codes for Work Order Submissions: Introduced QR codes that residents can scan to submit work orders without the need for logins or additional information. These unit-specific codes remain consistent even when residents change, simplifying the submission process.

September: Data on Demand

AppWork introduced several features to enhance customization and efficiency: Technician Timer Enhancements:

• Active Work Orders Filter: Users can now filter the work orders page to display only active work orders with running timers, providing real-time insights into technician activities.
• Task Time Report Filtering: The Task Time Report now includes filtering options to view data from both completed and open tasks, offering comprehensive oversight of task durations.
• Detailed Technician View: Enhanced the technician view within the Task Time Report to display individual task details, including property names, facilitating better performance analysis.

Customization Options:

• Restrict Technician Withdrawals: Introduced a setting to remove the option for technicians to withdraw from tasks, ensuring assignments are managed centrally by admins.
• Customizable Work Order Priorities: Enabled customization of work order priority categories (e.g., Regular, Emergency, Code Violations) to align with specific workflow requirements.

Integration Improvements:

• Yardi Make Ready: Resolved an issue where move-in dates were not auto-updating in certain scenarios, ensuring data consistency.
• RealPage Integration Overhaul: Reworked aspects of the RealPage integration, particularly concerning the make-ready board, to enhance precision and reduce operational challenges.

Additional Updates:

• CSV Export for Units Page: Introduced the ability to export the units page to a CSV file, facilitating data analysis and reporting.
• New Work Order Categories: Added categories such as General: Resurfacing, General: Cleaning, and Windows & Doors: Entry Gate to improve reporting clarity.

AppWork unveiled the Data Subscriptions feature and other enhancements to streamline maintenance operations:

• Data Subscriptions:
  • Automated Data Delivery: Introduced a feature allowing users to subscribe to specific maintenance data and receive automated emails at chosen intervals (daily, weekly, monthly), eliminating the need for manual exports.
  • Customization and Automation: Enabled users to set filters on any exportable page, subscribe to the filtered data, and receive updates automatically, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • "My Settings" Page: Launched a centralized page for users to view and manage all their subscriptions and personal settings, accessible under Settings > My Settings.
  • Make Ready Metrics Report Drilldown: Enabled drilldown capabilities in the Make Ready Metrics report, allowing users to access individual unit details for deeper insights.
  • Customizable Default Landing Page: Provided the option to set a default landing page upon login, customizable at both the system and individual user levels, to align with user preferences.

Task Time Report Updates:

• Quick Completion Alerts: Implemented alerts for work orders completed in less than 60 seconds to facilitate audits and identify anomalies.
• Technician Report Fixes: Resolved issues where clicking on a technician in the Task Time Report did not display the full list of work orders, ensuring comprehensive data access.
• Work Order Time Editing: Enhanced the functionality to allow editing of both start and end dates and times on completed work orders, providing greater flexibility in time management.

Okta Integration: Partnered with Okta to enable users to log in to AppWork using their Okta credentials, simplifying access and enhancing security.

October: Optimizing Workflows

AppWork introduced several features to improve efficiency and streamline workflows:

• Admin Timer Entry Management: Admins can now manage time entries on tasks with the ability to add, edit, or remove them. This feature is available for clients using the Task Time Feature and can be enabled in system settings.
• Hourly Rate for Technicians: A new hourly rate field has been added to technician profiles, making labor cost tracking more accurate.
• Task Time Report Cost Calculation: Task time reports now automatically calculate costs based on the time worked, giving you more accurate insights.
• Subscription Email Management: Users can now edit or deactivate subscriptions directly from their email, removing the need to log in separately.
• Work Order Creation Workflow: The process of creating property work orders has been streamlined to save time and improve the user experience.
• Date Selector Update: Manual input for the date selector has been improved, ensuring a more intuitive experience.
• PMS Post Errors Subscription: Users can now subscribe to notifications for work orders with PMS post errors, staying updated on synchronization issues.
• Subscription Settings Redesign: The "My Settings" tab has been redesigned for easier navigation and better usability.
• Updated Work Order Categories: The HVAC category for "No AC" has been renamed to "AC Issues," and a new category for "Exterior > Garage/Carports" has been added to improve reporting accuracy.

Additionally, some other improvements were made to enhance user experience:

• Manage Subscriptions Page Instructions: Clearer instructions have been added to help users manage their active subscriptions.
• Subscription Email Attachment Fixes: Clean-up of subscription email attachments for more consistent formatting and a polished look.
• Make Ready Metrics Report Enhancements: Duplicate data and hidden units have been removed from the Make Ready Metrics report, making it clearer and more reliable.
• Searchable Work Order Task IDs: Task IDs remain searchable on the Work Order Index page, even after posting to the PMS, making retrieval easier.
• Pagination Control Relocation: The 'view per page' control has been repositioned for more intuitive navigation.
• Improved Task Time Report Modal: The Task Time Report modal now features new column headers and a total row for clearer, faster insights.
• New Pest Control Category for Bees: A new category under Pest Control for bees has been added to help with accurate reporting of bee-related issues.

November: Real-Time Refinements

AppWork's Thanksgiving update introduced new features to improve efficiency and enhance the user experience:

• Dynamic Make Ready Board Filters: Users can now apply filters to the make ready board for more focused views based on floor plans, tagged units, or move-in/move-out dates.
• 
• Real-Time Make Ready Board Updates: The make ready board now auto-updates in real-time as tasks are completed, so you always have the most current information without needing to refresh.
• Make Ready Subscriptions: New email subscriptions allow updates based on specific filters, like units scheduled for move-in but not yet ready or under renovation.
• Integration of Inspections with Make Ready Board: You can now add inspection columns to the make ready board, track, assign, and view inspections directly next to tasks. Inspections can also be auto-generated when units are added to the board.
• Consolidated Notifications for Bulk Assignments: Instead of receiving multiple notifications, technicians now get a single consolidated message when multiple work orders are assigned at once, cutting down on notification overload.
• Bulk Assignment of Inspections: Multiple inspections can now be assigned to one individual using checkboxes, speeding up the process.
• Real-Time Parts Notifications: If a work order is marked as "waiting on parts," an email notification is sent immediately to ensure timely ordering and resolution.
• Post-Creation Work Order Editing: Users can now add a unit to a work order after it’s been created, so you don’t have to cancel and recreate work orders for such adjustments.
• Enhanced Yardi Integration: When a work order is completed in AppWork, the entire work order timeline is now downloaded and attached to the corresponding completed work order in Yardi for full record-keeping.
• Improved Resident Work Order Creation Page: Residents now see the property name alongside the logo when creating work orders, improving clarity during submission.
• Higher-Quality Inspection Image Downloads: Inspection images are now saved with better quality, resulting in sharper and clearer reports.

Expanded work order categories have also been added for more precise tracking:

• General: Bathroom Fixtures
• Windows and Doors: Screens, Key Fob
• Appliances: Washing Machine, Dryer
• Electric: Range Hood, Bathroom Fan
• Exterior: Patio/Balcony, Fence
• Pest Control: Routine
• Property: Amenities, Flags/Signs
• Safety: Carbon Monoxide, Gas Smell

December: Finishing Strong

AppWork made significant strides with its integration to improve workflow efficiency:

• ResMan Integration Improvements:
• Seamless Image Import: Work order images submitted in ResMan now seamlessly import into AppWork, ensuring all visual documentation stays consolidated within the platform.
  • Effortless Image Export: Images uploaded to AppWork now export to ResMan without issues, maintaining consistency across both systems.

Additionally, AppWork introduced several new features and addressed key issues to improve user experience:

• Priority-Based Text Messages:
• Customizable Notifications: Users can now customize when each technician receives new work order text messages based on priority, ensuring timely communication that aligns with task urgency.
• Reports Index Page Refresh: The descriptions on the Reports Index page have been updated for better clarity, helping users quickly find the reports they need.
• Resident Mailer Bulk Emails: Bulk emails now show up in the resident Mailer section, making it easier to track and manage resident communications.
• Improved Technician Ratings Rounding: Technician ratings now round properly, providing a fairer representation of their performance scores.
• Inspection Images Download: Fixed an issue that prevented inspection images from downloading correctly, ensuring all inspection data is accessible.
• Bulk Assign Work Orders: Resolved a bug where bulk assigning work orders didn’t trigger text message notifications, ensuring technicians are informed promptly.
• Technician Reviews Count: Corrected an error that affected the calculation of the total number of reviews for certain technicians, ensuring accurate performance metrics.
• Resident Review Emails: Fixed an issue where review emails from residents were not being sent, ensuring feedback is communicated effectively.

Looking Ahead

As we head into 2025, we remain committed to delivering innovative, user-focused solutions that transform maintenance management. Thank you for being part of our journey this year. We’re excited for what’s ahead in the coming year!

Explore all our 2024 updates and discover how AppWork continues to redefine excellence in multifamily maintenance management.