Software-Landschaften und Einsatz von digitalen Lösungen in Wohnungsunternehmen

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and regulation, the GdW Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen e.V. has published a comprehensive report titled "Software Landscapes and the Use of Digital Solutions in Housing Companies." The report is authored by Claus Wedemeier, Arne Rajchowski, and Timo Wanke, aiming to provide insights into the current state of digitalization within the housing sector in Germany.

The survey conducted by GdW seeks to create a detailed picture of the software landscapes utilized by housing companies. It addresses the challenges these companies face in selecting, planning, and operating suitable software and digital solutions, while balancing costs, human resources, and the core business of providing housing. With a participation rate exceeding 40% from over 1,000 companies, the survey yields valuable insights into the current digital landscape and aims to enhance the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the sector.

The survey results indicate that 38.6% of housing companies operate their IT applications in-house, while 27% utilize cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. The tendency toward cloud applications is particularly pronounced among medium-sized companies, whereas small and large companies prefer maintaining their own infrastructure.

When it comes to managing essential business processes, 85.4% of respondents employ ERP systems, with Aareon’s Wodis Sigma being the most commonly used software. The findings reveal that a significant portion of companies lacks an ERP solution, highlighting a potential area for improvement in digital strategies.

Regarding digital communication with tenants, 45% of companies do not use any software, but 32% plan to implement tenant portals or apps. Aareon CRM solutions dominate this market segment, indicating a growing trend toward enhancing tenant communication through digital platforms.

Digital archiving systems are utilized by 53.6% of respondents, with Aareon Archiv Kompakt being the leading solution. Despite many documents being processed in ERP systems, there is still a notable demand for dedicated archiving solutions to ensure compliance and efficient document management.

For order processing and coordination with service providers, 23.7% of companies use specialized software, with Mareon being a popular choice. This segment of software helps streamline communication and documentation processes with service providers and tenants.

Sustainability reporting has become increasingly crucial due to EU regulations, yet 69.3% of respondents do not currently utilize software for this purpose. Only 4.5% leverage dedicated solutions for ESG reporting, indicating a significant gap in the adoption of digital tools for sustainability management.

Digital solutions for building automation and energy management are still underutilized, with only 8% of companies implementing such systems. However, 21.2% are planning to introduce these technologies, reflecting a growing awareness of energy efficiency needs in the housing sector.

Digital access control systems are not widely adopted, with 77.3% of companies not planning to implement them. This raises concerns regarding security and management efficiency, given the clear advantages these systems can provide.

Only 4% of companies have implemented smart home solutions, while 9.9% have installed package delivery systems. The market remains fragmented, with many companies exploring options to enhance tenant convenience through technology.

Over half of the housing companies are already facilitating electric vehicle charging in their properties, often outsourcing the infrastructure development to local service providers.

Overall, the GdW report highlights the current state and future potential of digital solutions in the housing sector, emphasizing the need for ongoing advancements to improve efficiency, sustainability, and tenant engagement.