Mack-Cali Realty Corporation

When Cali became one of the first clients of Integrated Business Systems(IBS) in the early 1980s, computers were scarce in the real estate industry. Typically, basic bookkeeping and billing of rents comprised the major uses. Even then, Cali showed its progressive nature, surpassing the typical implementation by successfully automating its escalations.

The company grew steadily during the next decade, increasing its real estate portfolio to nearly 3 million square feet and upgrading its system to accommodate this expansion.

During the past decade, the second generation of the Cali family has fostered a strong desire for enhanced technological capabilities. In 1998, Cali became a REIT, and the desire for more sophisticated manipulation of data suddenly became a requirement. Cali faced a whole new level of financial reporting.

In conjunction with becoming a REIT, Cali and IBS outlined the company's new requisites. As a private owner, Cali was mainly interested in cash positions and cash flow. As a public company, all records and books must be certified on a full accrual basis which elevates the stringency of the accounting and reporting process. One cannot underestimate the difference in operation between a public and a private company.

Cali entered into a higher-paced developmental mode as well -- with the directive to utilize their newly found capital to expand the company. As a result, the firm required capabilities to process and analyze commercial tenant data in new ways, both more thoroughly and efficiently.

To accommodate their changing needs, IBS implemented machine upgrades for speed and capacity, as well as the ability to run the most current IBS software. In addition, we re-wired Cali's installation to accommodate a company-wide network, and upgraded all of the firm's PCs to be networked Windows workstations.

The new configuration allows Cali to both utilize the variety of popular Windows desktop programs and to seamlessly integrate its IBS data with these new programs. One such example is the integration of live commercial tenant data with Paradox for Windows.

As a result, Cali can generate an abundance of graphically oriented, completely customized rent roll reports. Cali can single-out certain financial data on types of tenants, industries, market rents negotiated during certain periods of time (number of leases signed, average rent per square foot, etc.).

This is an excellent application for the firm's marketing department. For example, staff members can query lists that match up available space throughout their portfolio with tenants whose leases expire in 18 months. By finding that tenant the right space and initiating negotiations well in advance of expiration, marketing is months ahead of its competition. IBS is also engineering links from Cali's database to the Office's projection program.

The machine and network upgrades were completed over the course of a weekend last fall. Cali shut down its computers on a Thursday afternoon, and by Monday morning they were up and running without missing a beat. During the past six months, we have been implementing the new capabilities and training the staff. Cali's system will continue to evolve as technology continues to improve, working in an ongoing partnership with IBS.

Much of the credit for the success of the transformation belongs to Cali. While the vendor develops and implements the changes, the client is equally critical in the system's success. Cali devoted an incredible amount of resources, time and patience. As a REIT, Cali realizes that it is operating in a technological age. This dictates that companies which are not up-to-date will remain at a disadvantage.

Today, the new software and training is allowing Cali to accomplish more complex data manipulation than ever before. By the end of the implementation stage, the company will be positioned well ahead of its competitors.