5. How will your community's information be secured (including
in the event that the company goes out of business)?
Because technology relies on data to provide us the benefits it promises, security is a top
concern, and for good reason – poor security can make your residents feeling like their
privacy has been violated or result in a serious breach of sensitive information. To avoid
these problems, ask any potential technology provider how they'll secure your community's
information and what will happen to that information if the company goes out of business.
"When the board is excited about signing up for a new solution, it's easy to zip through the user agreements
without reading them carefully – but that's a serious mistake. As a board member, part of your fiduciary duty
is protecting your homeowners' data by knowing how it will be safeguarded and how it can be used by the
technology solution provider. It's especially important to know what will happen to your community's data if the
company goes under. Read the user agreement in full, and if it doesn't answer these questions, make it a priority
to ask."
-Andrew Brock
EVP and CIO
Associa
6. Is this technology going to be obsolete in a few years, or is the
platform committed to continuous improvement?
The platform you ultimately choose is a long-term investment for your community, which is
why it's important to inquire about the platform's future development plans. As technology
becomes more advanced and the needs of users change, a sound technology company will
ensure their platform has a plan to keep up with these needs for years to come.
"Technology seems to change overnight. You don't want your new technology solution to become obsolete in
a year or two, especially if it was a substantial expense for the community. It is important that the board knows
that the new technology is something that will function the same, if not better, in the years ahead."
-Jennifer Freeman, CMCA®
Director of Management Services
Community Association Services of Indiana
