2025 was a year where property managers were asked to work more efficiently while residents expected high-tech living standards with little friction.
PointCentral’s mission in 2025 wasn’t to just launch new hardware, it was to build an ecosystem that solves daily pain points for multifamily and short-term rental operators and makes residents and guests safer and more comfortable.
From self-guided tours that require zero friction to dashboards that centralize your entire portfolio, here is a look back at a few of the innovations we launched in 2025 to help you manage and add value to your communities.
Creating a Frictionless Leasing Experience
Prospects can lose interest the moment they hit a barrier like a forced account creation screen. This year, we overhauled the self-guided tour (SGT) experience to turn more leads into leases.
Self-Guided Tours 3.0: Zero Barriers, Full Accessibility
We revamped SGT with one goal: eliminate drop-off. By allowing prospects to book without creating an account, we removed the biggest hurdle in the scheduling process.
- Why it matters: Properties saw immediate increases in scheduled tours simply by removing the login step.
- Accessibility First: We are proud to have introduced a fully accessible design that meets WCAG 2.2 standards, ensuring visually impaired prospects can book tours independently using screen reader support.
Interactive Community Maps (Powered by Engrain)
A self-guided tour fails if the prospect can’t find the unit. Our new Interactive Community Maps provide “blue dot” Google Maps-style wayfinding.
- The Impact: Large garden-style communities virtually eliminated calls from lost prospects. Visitors can now see their real-time location relative to the touring unit, ensuring a positive first impression rather than a frustrating one.
Smarter Tour Reporting
Data is only useful if it drives action. Our SGT Reporting Upgrades now give teams visibility into why tours happen but leases don’t. Whether it’s identifying high-traffic units with low conversion rates (signaling a staging or pricing issue) or spotting late-day tour clusters to optimize staffing hours, these exportable reports put control back in the hands of leasing teams.
The Operational Command Center
Property managers waste hours toggling between different systems to complete basic tasks. PointCentral’s unified platform brings these solutions together in one place and, in 2025, we focused on centralizing even more workflows.
LTR Dashboard v1 & v1.1: The Unified Workspace
We introduced the LTR Dashboard to consolidate essential workflows. With universal search and the capability to save frequently used doors, managers can now find a unit, move a resident in, and create a PIN code in seconds without navigating through multiple groups.
- Proactive Resolution: The updated Events module is a game-changer for maintenance. Managers can now see Failed Move-ins or Lock Malfunctions in real-time. Instead of waiting for a resident complaint, a manager can click the “Retry” button in the modal to resolve the issue before the resident even arrives.
Community Level Management
For operators managing scattered portfolios, jumping between property logins is a massive time sink. Our revamped Community Level Management provides a unified view of all locations.
- Unified Insights: Whether you are standardizing maintenance response policies across five properties or comparing occupancy metrics to find best practices, you can now do it all from one dashboard.
Nightly Arming for Asset Protection
Managing security for hundreds of vacant single-family homes and Built-to-Rent communities used to require constant manual oversight. We introduced Nightly Arming to automate this at scale.
- The Use Case: You can now set a rule to arm all vacant units at 10:00 PM and disarm them at 6:00 AM. If a maintenance team needs access, the system will disarm via PIN code and re-arm automatically. It’s enterprise-grade protection against squatters and vandalism without the manual headache.
High-Tech Access Without the High Cost
Upgrading technology in a community can sometimes come with prohibitive infrastructure costs. This year, we launched solutions that modernize access without requiring expensive retrofits.
Smart Thermostat HQ
We reimagined rental property infrastructure by combining two critical smart property components, the thermostat and the hub, into one device. The Smart Thermostat HQ reduces equipment and installation cost while also proactively addressing HVAC operation and maintenance costs. utilizes AI-powered learning and geofencing to adapt to resident preferences automatically.
- Simplifying Installation: By combining two devices into one, we’ve cut installation time in half. And since the Smart Thermostat HQ is mounted to the wall, the Z-Wave network remains stable and online.
- Run at the Right Times: For residents, AI-powered learning and geofencing means the home is always comfortable when they arrive. For operators, it provides critical insights for predictive maintenance. They can monitor HVAC health, detect units that are running constantly, and alert the team to schedule maintenance before the system fails.
Video Intercom Mobile Directory (VIMD)
Traditional intercom systems are expensive to install and maintain. VIMD changed the math, offering a modern video intercom experience at just 10% of the cost of traditional systems.
- How it works: Visitors simply scan a QR code at the entryway to access the directory and video call residents. Residents can visually verify and buzz in guests from their couch or their office, offering the security of a gated community without the wiring costs.
Alfred Z-Wave Lock (ML2)
For historic renovations or high-end multifamily properties, replacing existing mortise locks is often impossible or aesthetically undesirable. The Alfred ML2 allows properties to retrofit smart capabilities while keeping their existing levers and mortise cylinders. It’s the perfect blend of modern Z-Wave tech (remote control, scheduling) and classic architectural integrity.
Prioritizing Resident Wellbeing
Finally, 2025 was the year we expanded our focus beyond the apartment walls to cover the resident’s entire lifestyle and sense of safety.
The Safety Button
Safety doesn’t stop at the front door. The PointCentral Safety Button provides residents and staff with one-tap access to trained operators 24/7—whether they are inside their unit, walking to their car, or on a campus.
- Real-World Safety: From students walking home late at night to leasing agents meeting prospects in vacant units, the Safety Button offers GPS-enabled dispatch and “press-and-hold” functionality. It’s peace of mind that travels with you.
Looking Ahead
2025 was a year of removing barriers: between prospects and tours, between managers and data, and between residents and safety. As we move into 2026, PointCentral remains committed to building technology that doesn’t just look good on a lease, but actively improves the operations and safety of your community.
Ready to upgrade your property operations? Schedule a demo today to experience these new features.
