Features and Benefits to Look for in Land Rights and ROW Management Software
When timelines are tight and your team is stretched thin, using robust land rights and ROW management software is crucial for keeping your acquisition projects and operational assets on track. All stakeholders benefit when critical project details are at their fingertips.
And if you’re still sorting through stacks of semi-organized paperwork, file cabinets, and boxes, you know these traditional “systems” aren’t cutting it for today’s complex projects and the pressure to do more with less.
Knowing a manual approach isn’t scalable and stakeholders need real-time access to project data, many companies are now searching for the right software solution to effectively manage their land rights and right-of-way projects.
Here are the top features and benefits to help you on your search.
5 Most-Requested Features by Land Management Professionals of the Best Land Acquisition and ROW Management Software
Customers expect streamlined and efficient processes when they work with your company because they have come to appreciate the expediency digital tools provide in every other area of their lives. Keep these features in mind when you’re evaluating tools for land rights and right-of-way management:
GIS capabilities
When your solution has geospatial (GIS) capabilities to view parcels, proposed and alternate routes, asset information, and other important layers such as soil type, environmental sensitivity, and more, there’s no need to maintain hardcopy maps which will get outdated almost immediately in an ever-changing environment. Additionally, your team can benefit from additional analysis by having all data for a project contained in a singular system while catering to each user group’s needs with specialized maps showing layers that are important to them.
Mobile access
Real-time access to the latest project information is essential when you’re in the field. And getting the latest information from the field to the office is just as critical. A software solution for land acquisition must be equally easy to use on mobile—online and offline—as on desktop.
Centralized data
One of the benefits of a software solution to manage land rights is that all your data is centralized, eliminating data siloes and making analysis and insights possible. The right system will consolidate project data so decision-makers can properly monitor performance and identify opportunities quickly.
Robust reporting and dashboards
Another valuable feature to seek when selecting software solutions for land acquisition is reporting functionality configurable to your organization’s needs. Dashboards that give users status updates and visualize current project progress are also important. The easier the software makes it for your team to get the information they need from the platform, the more they will use it.
Automation
Instead of manually tracking obligations, contract renewals, or payment schedules, the right software will automatically monitor documents, manage notifications, and trigger workflows.
3 Benefits of Using a Software Platform for Land Acquisition and Right-of-Way Management
A system that centralizes all project details and makes vital project information available with a few keystrokes improves each project’s profitability. In most cases, teams can complete projects on schedule or early thanks to the efficiencies realized by the software allowing them to reap the benefits of the new assets faster.
With the proper tool, you can handle more projects in less time. Everyone on your staff is working from up-to-date information contained within one system which reduces errors from manual data entry, eliminates duplicate data entry into different tools, and makes it possible to hit critical deadlines.
Reduce risk
It’s vital to adhere to all the agreement details and payment schedules of your varying land acquisition projects. Since terms may vary across agreements, this is nearly impossible without comprehensive land acquisition and right-of-way management software. If you drop the ball on these details, you risk angering landowners and tarnishing your public image.