Page 11 - NY Cooperator December 2020

COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — DECEMBER 2020 11 Providing a Full Range of Architectural & Engineering Services In-house professional expertise in: Exterior Restoration & Historic Preservation Construction Inspection Alteration Review Architectural Design Engineering: n Mechanica l n Electrical n Plumbing n Structural Energy Audits Forensic Investigation Façade Safety Inspection Program Reporting Green Design – LEED Professionals Client satisfaction assured by the active daily involvement of the firm’s principals www.lawlessmangione.com info@lawlessmangione.com 914.423.8844 ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING SERVICES: - Structural - MEP - Interior Design BUILDING ENVELOPE / RESTORATION / FACADE INSPECTION SAFETY PROGRAMS CONSTRUCTION DEFECT TESTING / INVESTIGATION ENERGY CONSULTING FORENSIC TESTING / LITIGATION SUPPORT NYC SPECIAL INSPECTIONS 5 YEAR CAPITAL PLANNING 350 7th Avenue, Suite 2000 New York, NY 10001 (646) 292 - 3515 info@falconengineering.com www.falconengineering.com ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND ENERGY CONSULTANTS Shared and/or unsecured wifi connections, along with lack of IT support to address tech- nology issues, can pose virtual threats to sys- tems and information for both business and personal purposes. Oft en, the solution to a technology prob- lem is to throw more technology at it; but as we know, hackers, malware developers, and iden- tity thieves are experts at advancing their tac- tics to overcome whatever security measures are put in place. “Th e current COVID-19 situ- ation \[has\] led to a transformation,” says Guy Franklin, Managing Director at SOSA NYC - Th e Global Cyber Center in New York City. “Remote work inevitably brings a new set of risks and challenges. Hackers are ready for that.” As we spend more time in our homes, we must stay vigilant to these threats and be mindful of the ways we treat and interact with sensitive or proprietary information. A Return to Humanity Professionals in the multifamily housing industry tend to agree that there has been a certain return to—or showing of—basic hu- man decency in the wake of the parade of cri- ses that have befallen our communities in the last half a year. Whether we are simply over- loaded by screen time and the social isolation that coronavirus has infl icted on the world, or we are rethinking our culture of hardscrabble individualism and allowing ourselves to ex- tend compassion and tolerance to others, 2020 has demonstrated that even in the face of ad- versity, residential communities can enhance their home’s safety by the simple act of being a decent person. Ferdinando speaks about the kindness that his multifamily clients have shown to his 500 security offi cers—showing appreciation for their essential work, checking on those who are ill, or just being friendly and considerate in their interactions—which has had a spiraling positive eff ect. “I’m very proud of my people,” he says. “Humanity’s coming back into play.” n Darcey Gerstein is Associate Editor and Staff Writer for Th e Cooperator. management, being prepared for the un- expected and establishing clear and proac- tive communication is essential, and that’s been especially true during this pandemic. Communities that came into the pandemic with electronic systems already in place and having already switched their administra- tive processes over to digital and automated methods were able to adapt as rapidly as the facts on the ground did.” Th is was especially helpful during the depths of the fi rst wave back in the spring, says Kestenbaum. “Th ink of a property manager who may be quarantined off -site,” he says. “Instead of fl ying blind, they can log in, see everything that’s going on at their client buildings, leave instructions for staff , review photos and service notes of a broken fi xture—that is really empowering.” “Technology for security and access con- TECHNOLOGY... continued from page 1 trol systems, video intercoms, online pay- ments, package tracking, communication tools, and virtual tours platforms already exist and are under refi nement,” says Neil Golub, director of sales for Carson, anoth- er provider of tech services for residential properties. “With COVID, property man- agers, staff , and residents need to operate remotely more than ever before. With staff not in offi ce, the Cloud has become even more important for its ability to make work- ing online more effi cient, and remote op- erations are essential—especially for digital payments. We’re seeing expedited adoption of these services now. Also, anything related to cleanliness is a plus.” “When we think about steps that every- one needs to take during the pandemic,” says Larry Link, a real estate developer in New Haven, Connecticut, “we think about social distancing, masks, limited gatherings, etc. With this in mind, one thing that the technology we integrated into our building systems includes is access through key fobs or cards, providing residents with access to the property both cleanly and remotely. \[Electronically enabled\] keys can be issued to any pre-screened person who can then come to the property and gain one-time temporary access—for apartment cleaning or package delivery, for instance. However, I wouldn’t limit this tech solution to just something that aided us during the pan- demic; it’s something that makes manage- ment easier overall, pandemic or not.” And, adds Marcy Kravit, COO of Bro- ken Sound Master Association in Boca Raton, Florida, “the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious issues for condominium life. As a result of the crisis, managers have been forced to shift gears in the way they are handling certain tasks and operations—and technology has played an important role in delivering the same level of services as were provided in person before the pandemic began. E-communications via various apps ranging from conventional email to phone- based notifi cation systems and text messag- ing are critical for announcements, espe- cially when implementing and explaining an association’s COVID policies and proce- dures.” How Does It Work? Golub says his company has seen a steady increase in users even before the pandemic began, especially with the rise in e-commerce in recent years. However, in the six months since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, from April through September, he says they’ve seen a 55.6% increase in deliveries per resident, most of which have been handled by Carson’s 24/7 Remote Doorman services. Remote Door- man enlists live remote operators who buzz couriers and other delivery people into the building. Th ey verify who they are by cam- era and code and buzz them in. Th e deliv- ery people leave the package in a designated locked area or a cage. “We get them into the continued on page 12