There’s a growing trend in the property industry to sell technology as the answer to every building management challenge. Slick apps promise to streamline maintenance requests, centralise communication, and give body corporate committees more visibility over their buildings. Good software can genuinely help - but it’s worth asking a simple question before signing up: what happens when the technology is only as good as the person using it?

An app is only as reliable as the information entered into it. If a building manager doesn’t have the time - or the diligence - to keep records updated, that app quickly becomes a digital filing cabinet nobody trusts. It won’t catch an incorrectly cut pipe, question a landscaping choice that doesn’t suit the site, or notice that something looks “off” during a routine walkthrough. That kind of judgement still comes from experience, not software.

There’s also a cost question worth asking. Platforms aren’t free, and in many cases those costs are ultimately passed on to the building’s owners. For a smaller, boutique development that wants tailored, high-touch service, a one-size-fits-all platform built for scale may not deliver the outcomes - or the value - owners are paying for.

None of this means technology has no place in premium building management. Used well, it can improve communication and strengthen record-keeping. But it works best as a tool in the hands of an experienced building manager, not a replacement for one.

At Andersaint, our approach has always been about combining the right systems with real, on-the-ground expertise: people who understand natural stone maintenance, irrigation balance, building compliance, and the many small judgement calls that keep a premium property looking and performing at its best.

If you’re evaluating a building manager and technology is a big part of their pitch, it’s worth asking what sits behind it. The best outcomes for Auckland body corporates come from experienced people using smart tools, not the other way around.