Fast-growing RKW Residential, which has over 35,000 residential units under management, began a new chapter in early 2022 following its strategic acquisition by Alfred, a residential technology company. According to RKW, this put the management firm in position to scale nationally just eight years after its launch.
Alfred’s residential management platform uses market-leading software, AOS, to provide owners and managers with a single stop to support residential living—from resident management and communication and the management of on-site operations and maintenance to payments and ancillary services, such as dog walking and home cleaning. Solutions include smart package integrations, digital lease signing, utility and energy management, renewal offerings, and predictive insight into the health of a building.
The acquisition was finalized in February 2022, with the rollout beginning that April. AOS was integrated into more than 2,000 apartments in RKW’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. The on-site teams in the market leaned into the community experiences and programming offered through the AOS platform. For example, in-person events and programs organized through the platform included a DIY flower wreath design tutorial with a locally based expert, yoga sessions, and a popsicle fest for National Popsicle Day.
By the end of 2022, the AOS platform was being utilized in 50 RKW-managed communities, which is more than half of its portfolio. The pace of the rollout allowed RKW to assess what was working at every stage and maximize the experience for residents and team members. It also spurred the revamp and renegotiation of its tech stack, allowing clients to benefit from discounts across a variety of property software while bringing on new technologies.
According to RKW, the resident and on-site team response to the Alfred platform rollout has been positive.
“Increased resident satisfaction would not have been possible if RKW’s employees didn’t believe in the technology and fully adopt it as part of the organization’s approach to the resident experience,” stated the nomination. “On-site team members appreciate how technology is freeing up their time to serve the residents. AOS makes their work lives more efficient. That gives them more time to attend to residents’ needs and develop true connections with residents.”
