December 10, 2024
How BH Conquered Smart Tech Retrofit Challenges
About BH
- 330 portfolio communities
- 106,000+ units managed
- 21st largest multifamily owner-operator in the U.S.
- Ranked in the top 10 multifamily management companies on NMHC’s Top 50 list
Results with Ambient
Forward-thinking BH doesn’t shy away from embracing innovative technologies that set the standard for multifamily. They knew that implementing smart tech at one of their largest communities, TAVA Waters, would be a challenge — but partnering with Ambient simplified the process.
From their corporate headquarters in Des Moines, IA, BH manages a diverse portfolio of more than 106,000 multifamily units in 31 states. The thread tying those unique communities together is a commitment to innovation. “We want to be that company that people look to for what's new and up-and-coming,” says Robin Hart, Strategic Innovations Manager at BH.
Originally built as six separate properties, BH’s TAVA Waters is a sprawling community in Denver that embodies truly modern living, delighting residents with the most in-demand amenities — including smart home conveniences.
About TAVA Waters
- 1,542 homes
- 6 villages
- 190 acres
The challenge: achieving tech reliability without disrupting the community
BH implemented smart technology at TAVA Waters in 2019. Five years later, they decided to upgrade to Ambient to reinforce their commitment to quality and stay at the top of the pack competitively.
Their goal wasn't only to replace the existing platform with something more reliable, but also to implement the new technology effectively and efficiently — without disrupting residents.
Given TAVA’s sheer size, upgrading meant:
- Replacing hardware in more than 1,500 homes
- Navigating 28 different floor plans where the locations of devices were not always consistent
- Customizing hub installation methods to accommodate diverse floor plans
Exceeding expectations throughout implementation
Implementation began with careful coordination between both teams to scope the project and craft a plan tailored to TAVA Waters’ unique needs.
Throughout the deployment, weekly check-in calls and project management dashboards kept everyone on the same page. Remotely, Robin and Lauraa Sanchez, Strategic Innovations Coordinator at BH, could stay in sync with everything happening on-site in Denver.
Their forward-thinking Ambient team anticipated questions BH raised during check-ins, always prepared with answers. “They found answers for us,” Lauraa says. “We didn't have to do it ourselves.”
Implementation was smooth for on-site staff, too. Chelsea Richardson, Senior Community Manager at TAVA, appreciated the Ambient team’s dependability. “I loved that I could count on their word,” she says. “If they said we were receiving 500 hubs on Tuesday, we received 500 hubs on Tuesday.”
Chelsea also highlighted Ambient’s kind and courteous installation technicians. “Ambient’s technicians were so nice and cleaned up after themselves, which is not always the experience with all vendors,” she says.
I loved that I could count on their word.
Up to the technical challenge
If challenges arose during implementation, Robin and Lauraa could trust their dedicated Ambient team to craft custom solutions and adjust their installation techniques to fit BH’s specific needs.
For example, when technicians discovered cellular dead spots in some homes without an internet router, Ambient developed a workaround involving hot spots to ensure a stable and reliable connection.
“If there was a concern, I felt that their heart was truly in it to resolve things in a professional manner,” says Robin. “Ambient made us a priority. They might have had 15 other projects going on at the same time, but to us it seemed like we were the only one.”
Ambient made us a priority. They might have had 15 other projects going on at the same time, but to us it seemed like we were the only one.
Results with Ambient: sophisticated simplicity, enhanced efficiency
After completing implementation four weeks ahead of schedule, BH took a step back to assess the performance of their new platform. Right away, they noticed significantly higher online rates and more reliable connectivity across the community, giving their team peace of mind knowing the technology will work as expected.
“Before, property staff could not rely on the system to work properly. They couldn’t trust that their access codes were going to work, or that the app would work,” Robin says. “It’s heartwarming to know that everything is working today, and that our teams can rely on it."
BH also sees Ambient’s platform as a huge step up in terms of usability. A clean dashboard and an intuitive app make it effortless to use the system and train up new staff members. “What I value most about Ambient is the ease of the platform for the on-site team as well as our corporate employees,” Robin says. “It's simple to navigate.”
For on-site staff, Ambient has shaved off hours of manual work, replacing it with convenient automations powered by property management software integrations and digital access control solutions. Move-ins, move-outs, and countless workflows in between have been simplified to a matter of clicks.
Staff have seen more buy-in from residents, too. “Before, there was a percentage of residents who couldn’t use the platform at all because of connectivity issues,” Chelsea says. “Now that we have good connectivity, there’s more buy-in because they believe in the product."
What I value most about Ambient is the ease of the platform.
Easier access for all
BH teams across the board — from on-site management to maintenance to corporate employees out-of-state — find value in the enhanced digital access experience with Ambient.
A prime example: managing property access for maintenance to complete work orders. “With our maintenance crew not having to come and go from the office to find and pick up keys, we save so much time,” says Robin. “And time is money.”
Ambient’s smart access control solutions have also made life easier for on-site staff. “I love that I don’t have to juggle keys and can unlock the door while I'm on the way to a unit, which is super convenient,” Chelsea says.
Before, property staff could not rely on the system to work properly. It’s heartwarming to know that everything is working today, and that our teams can rely on it.
A partnership for the long-run
BH upgraded to Ambient seeking better, more reliable technology for TAVA Waters. But partnering with Ambient confirmed for BH that the quality of the team behind the technology is just as important as the technology itself.
A foundation of trust, transparency, and strong communication supported the deployment at TAVA from start to finish. As Robin says, “If you enjoy the people you're working with, implementing smart tech is just that much easier.”
Beyond a solid partnership, BH also gained a new way to drum up business. “Since this project kicked off, we have been able to generate more business with ownership groups,” Robin says.
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