“Future-Proofing” Your Multifamily Asset: Q&A with Bel Air Internet’s Terry Koosed

“Future-proofing” is a hot term in the apartment/multifamily sector, given the increase of technology-focused amenities. Terry Koosed, CEO and Founder of Bel Air Internet, shared insights with Connect Media on the best way to tackle future-proofing in today’s climate of hot tech amenities, smart home devices, and residents insatiable demand for more and more bandwidth.

Q. Why is future-proofing such a hot buzzword right now, and does it really work?
A. Future-proofing is the idea that if you are savvy enough today in the engineering and wiring of your property, it will automatically glide into wherever technology takes us next, without further investment or work over the years. Understandably, if developers are sinking hundreds of millions of dollars into a new property, they would like it to stand the test of time – as opposed to making a splash before quickly becoming yesterday’s news.

Now, I actually hate the expression “future proofing” because it’s a myth of sorts. No one knows exactly where the future will take us. Anyone who tells you they can offer a totally future-proof solution is just plain lying.
What I do advocate – and what we do for our residential developer clients – is give them a “future-forward” solution, ensuring their property can easily and flexibly scale up when future bandwidth and technological needs are necessary. In doing so, we’re able to ultimately save the developers significant money and eliminate the need for extensive engineering and tech labor down the road, while delivering a top-notch product that will make a splash today – and tomorrow.

Q. What can developers do to ensure their properties are future-forward?
A. Different tech amenities come in and out of fashion, but the “gasoline” fueling them remains constant: internet and Wi-Fi. The more reliable, robust and quality solution you have, the more you will be able to anticipate and seamlessly adapt to your property’s future needs. Another feature we offer developers is an “obsolescence clause,” in which we increase bandwidth to the property after a certain number of years without increasing the price.

Q. What tech trend will most impact future residential developments?
A. By far, the most dominant trend today that will most certainly take us well into the future is in creating efficient, smart properties. To ensure that the smart devices/technology being used at these properties functions perfectly, it is imperative to deploy a sophisticated managed Wi-Fi system, such as our Rover Managed Wi-Fi product. Bel Air Internet’s Rover solution seamlessly integrates multiple Wi-Fi networks and property management on a single converged infrastructure. With Rover, each resident can access their own private Wi-Fi network not just in their unit, but wherever they are across the entire property. This eliminates the need for public, shared common-area Wi-Fi, and delivers a more streamlined and secure experience.

Rover also enables property management personnel to manage systems, across multiple networks, more efficiently. For example, there is one network for keyless entry, one for thermostats, one for management staff, and so on. Rover ensures these networks work in harmony, without interference. This ultimately saves money for the property, and adds tremendous value.

Bel Air Internet is a boutique internet firm, based in Los Angeles, that delivers internet services to more than 100 multifamily properties across Southern California. High-property customers include Ten Thousand, The Century and 8500 Burton.

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