Technology and connectivity are critical today, especially for college students. As a property manager or owner, creating spaces conducive to student living and learning and understanding how your property can impact the entire student experience will be a huge differentiator.
With advanced technology systems in place, your student residences will transform into connected spaces that meet the needs of college learners. Looking for ideas on how you can add connectivity as an amenity? Allbridge is here to guide your journey in property technology.
Gone are the days when student housing was limited to basic amenities. Today, we see a significant shift toward tech-driven living spaces that prioritize connectivity and convenience.
The rise of off-campus student housing has further amplified this trend. How?
These properties meet the technological demands of students who are accustomed to seamless digital experiences. Recognizing technology's role in the student experience can be valuable for your property management efforts as we adapt to these changes.
The average student spends four to six hours online. Hence, there's always a need for improved IT infrastructure like fiber optics. When you invest in these connectivity infrastructures, you can ensure scalability and performance that meets the demands of today's tech-savvy students.
With online security being a major concern, having the right security measures like PANs in place will be a necessity. Implementing Personal Area Networks (PANs) enhances security and connectivity and allows students to enjoy a safe and efficient online experience whether they are in the rooms or community space
Millions of devices are connected to the internet. Why? Because IoT makes life simpler and more manageable, which is exactly what college students want.
Let's start with the essentials like lighting and temperature control. Devices such as smart thermostats and lighting systems not only enhance comfort but also promote energy efficiency. This is excellent news when you want your college tenants to be comfortable and lower overhead.
College life can be hectic, and AI-powered assistants can be invaluable to college students. You can add voice-activated assistants to make college life easier for your tenants.
Voice-activated assistants can help students manage their schedules, set reminders, and even control other smart devices in their apartments.
Safety is a top priority for students and their families, adding keyless entry systems and mobile access solutions addresses this growing concern. These can enable students to enter their residences without the hassle of traditional keys.
Video intercoms and smart surveillance systems further enhance safety, giving students and families peace of mind and reassurance.
Integrating these systems with student ID cards creates a seamless access experience across campus.
Environments that foster collaboration and study are in demand these days, but how can you create them?
Let's start with tech-enabled study rooms. These rooms can be equipped with smart boards and collaboration tools that significantly enhance group projects and learning experiences.
Connectivity is also (naturally) necessary, so dial in your IT infrastructure. High-speed Wi-Fi in common areas is essential for students working on online classes or studying together.
For added convenience and availability, you can also facilitate reservations. Using apps for reservations, you'll be able to efficiently manage resources and ensure that students have access to the facilities they need when they need them.
If you want to stand out, you, as a property manager or owner, are responsible for catering to your tenants' entertainment and social needs.
It all comes down to what you can offer beyond connectivity. Streaming services, IPTV solutions, and gaming lounges equipped with high-performance internet are ideal spaces for recreational activities and social connections among residents. Students won't be able to get enough!
As for community announcements and event promotion, you can't go wrong with digital signage.
Let's examine a real-world example that illustrates the impact of technology on student housing.
The Urban is a multifamily development managed by The Prime Company in Columbus, Ohio. It faced significant Wi-Fi issues just a year after opening, with students experiencing slow connections and resorting to installing personal routers.
After the developers had consulted with us, we were able to upgrade the cabling and install a gigabit wireless network.
The results? Astonishing.
Students reported speeds 10 times faster, and thanks to this outcome, The Urban saw a 590% ROI in the first year and greatly improved resident satisfaction.
"Since switching to Allbridge, our internet experience has tremendously improved," said Jared Turner, General Manager of The Urban. "We now have a reliable connection with consistently great speeds."
With the right integrations in place, property management becomes easier. One such integration you can take advantage of is a centralized control system, such as our proprietary Skyway platform. This platform enables you to oversee building operations seamlessly from one single platform.
You can also benefit from Skyway's analytics capabilities. Leveraging data analytics allows for better optimization of amenities and energy use, which in turn supports informed decision-making to enhance operational efficiency.
Don't forget IoT integrations. IoT systems simplify maintenance processes to help minimize downtime and improve resident satisfaction.
As we look to the future, several trends are poised to influence student housing technology.
First, integrating 5G technology promises to revolutionize connectivity by offering faster speeds and more reliable connections.
There's also AI. Artificial intelligence can personalize student living experiences in many ways. Finally, virtual and augmented reality applications can provide students with immersive experiences that enrich their time in student housing.
Your investment in robust IT infrastructure and smart building systems can go a long way in creating immersive, connected, and collaborative spaces for your college tenants. If you're ready to level up the living experiences of your tenants, we're just a call away.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let's talk about how we can make your living spaces more connected and collaborative.