The creative teams that are responsible for overseeing collateral for multiple apartment communities have one big problem -- time. These teams have evolved to handle a wide range of projects, and in doing so, have become strapped for time because they have to serve many different departments, communities and masters all at once. Fostering creativity requires time and space, and when overlapping deadlines must be met, creativity can suffer.

Luckily, the multifamily industry has started adopting new technologies that can support the management of design work for both creative teams and property management teams. Here is a look at four different tech tools that can help your creative teams take back their time:

Asset Management Systems

Asset management systems allow design teams to organize, customize and maintain various marketing collateral and inventory needed to create campaigns and promotions. Depending on functionality, these systems can also empower property managers to jump in and customize flyers for their respective communities while maintaining brand standards through templates that can be reused and repurposed.

In the past, asset management systems could be expensive to purchase and to implement, but today’s updated versions incorporate renter communication tools and are reasonably priced. When utilized correctly, user-friendly systems like these can greatly assist with creating targeted emails, flyers for community events and even signage for on-site promotions.

Zazzle, Flipsnack, Media Center PRO, and Canva are great tools for on-site teams to build their own flyers and other marketing pieces online. Some tools also offer customizable templates, so the creative team can easily ensure brand consistency.

Workflow Management and Time-tracking Software

Workflow management software created specifically for creators and marketers can be crucial when tracking projects from beginning to end. When implemented correctly, these tools can help creative teams digitally manage project tasks, resources and deadlines.

Workflow management systems can also assist with time tracking. Teams can gain insight into which processes require the most resources and can adjust allocations accordingly.

ProcessMaker, Integrify and Flokzu all offer various features from visual maps, APIs and mobile access designed to increase efficiencies and display time savings opportunities and more.

Collaboration Tools

While communication is essential between departments, collaboration tools can introduce distractions that may hinder rather than streamline processes. The solution is to customize the features of a chosen platform to allow the creative team to communicate in an organized, efficient manner.

This type of software integration can be especially important for projects such as lease-ups that require communication across several different departments. Applications such as Slack and Trello, platforms such as Basecamp, or even web-based systems such as Google Hangouts, can facilitate cross-department conversations and collaboration. Files can be shared quickly and voice (or video) calls related to the project can be held with all stakeholders. At RentPath, we use Slack, Trello, and Smartsheet in varying capacities, but there are several great technologies available today.

Content Management Systems

Content management systems have been around for quite some time, and they continue to be a critical tool for successful collaborative teams, regardless of industry. A reasonably priced, high-quality CMS can help companies efficiently create, develop, design and manage their websites and digital content.    

When implementing a new CMS, allow sufficient time for training and adjustment to the new processes. Don’t make it a rush job for your team members to avoid pushback and to ensure the success of the implementation.

Technology Integrations

When evaluating technologies to streamline your teams creative process, one of the most critical points in implementing a new tool is integration and set up. Tools that work together can add even more value to a team by increasing time savings and communications efficiencies. Many of the categories we've discussed can be linked together by product integrations. Tools like Slack and Trello pride themselves on their ability to offer out-of-the-box integrations to many other technology systems. Implementing these tools at one time use to involve an IT department, but today’s tools can be connected by anyone with a moderately savvy level of web knowledge.  

Above all, make sure that your creative minds have creative tools. Creativity is the lifeline of the marketing department. Without an engaging website and attention-catching promotions, how are you going to attract and keep quality residents? You’re not.