Reckson Associates Realty Corporation

Changing times and a new generation of management, not to mention becoming a REIT, have prompted major changes in Reckson's use and requirements for the IBS system during the past few years. This included a major platform conversion and software upgrade three years ago to allow faster, more quantitative analysis of tenant data. When the REIT was formed, additional needs for a company-wide network, a central database and the means to accomplish highly sophisticated queries came into play.

IBS's first task was preparing for the REIT closing. Reckson had a complex internal structure that created special accounting needs. The challenge was timing. We had limited time to analyze and extract selected information from the company's database and compile it as required for commencement of the REIT operation. Manually, this would have taken upwards of a month. IBS developed a specialized program to choose the appropriate portions of the database and recreate the portfolio.

The second task involved installing a 60-node, company-wide network. This included procurement, configuration and installation of additional PCs; the introduction of an electronic mail system; and a careful migration of significant amounts of network-related data from two existing networks to a third, central network.

IBS planned the installation over the course of a weekend, in order to keep Reckson's busy office running smoothly. The company's employees went home on a Friday and came in Monday with the network in place.

THEY HAD NEEDS, IBS HAD ANSWERS

Reckson also desired a company-wide database that could accommodate operational information in addition to traditional accounting data. This aspect became critical when Reckson began acquiring properties and needed data on every aspect of operating these buildings at their fingertips.

At the same time, IBS was completing development of a function that allows users to extend the tenant record on the back office accounting system. As is usual and customary, the IBS system supported the traditional financial data in order to track billing, etc. By extending the tenant record, users can define an unlimited number of additional fields. This can include operational data, such as the number of loading docks, HVAC zones, maintenance contacts, maintenance contracts, and other non-financial information.

As a result of this development, the property management and financial functions are integrated in one large central database. It was excellent timing for IBS and Reckson -- they had needs, IBS had the answers. Today, Reckson has added several hundred new fields of information per tenant. Their tracking system is as comprehensive as any in the industry.

Finally, Reckson needed to be able to execute in-depth financial analyses and sophisticated tenant data queries from the central database. To facilitate this, IBS incorporated the IBS Windows Database. The Windows Database provides complete access to the IBS data in a Windows 3.xTM or Windows95TM environment, for look-up, query, reporting and export purposes.

As Reckson continues to grow, we will continue to help the firm remain at the technology forefront. For example, when the company acquired Halpern Enterprises in Westchester a few months ago, we linked the two offices with the installation of full T-1 lines, splitters and bridges. Now the two offices are like one, with the ability to send electronic or voice mail, operate on a single accounting system, and share network data. In addition, they are wired for videoconferencing.

The fact that the past few years of upgrades have gone without a hitch is a testament to Reckson's internal accounting department -- they have not missed a beat. For IBS, this has been an exciting partnership because the firm has been able to exercise its full-service capabilities, from the company-wide networking, to the windows database, to the inter-office connectivity. Clients like Reckson push IBS to be at the frontier with them.