Shaping the future of property management. From AI to integrated platforms like Yardi, technology is transforming how buildings are managed and how tenants experience their spaces. Michael Sutherland, Vice President of Property Accounting, explains how these innovations are driving efficiency, foresight, and smarter decision-making across the industry.
The real estate industry is undergoing one of the most significant shifts in its history. Once defined by legacy systems and cautious adoption of digital tools, it is now being reshaped by rapid advancements in technology. From integrated management platforms to artificial intelligence, these changes are redefining how properties are managed, how clients engage with their assets, and how tenants experience their spaces. That reality is evolving fast; and for Michael Sutherland, Vice President of Property Accounting, the shift represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity.
For him, this transformation is not just about adopting new tools, it’s about reimagining how technology can elevate the entire property management experience. When Michael joined Canderel in 2022 he brought with him more than 25 years of experience in real estate finance and accounting. “I’ve touched every aspect of real estate finance, from corporate to treasury to property management and accounting,” he says. His previous role overseeing the finance and accounting for a large office portfolio at a family-owned firm gave him firsthand experience with Yardi, a platform that would become central to Canderel’s modernization efforts. “Those skills were transferable, and Canderel was at a moment where technology could take the business forward,” he recalls. “Almost three years in, it’s been challenging but rewarding. We’ve achieved so much in a short time, and we’re still just getting started.”
Today, Michael oversees a growing national property accounting team of approximately 35 professionals, leading with a philosophy rooted in one guiding principle: change is not something to resist, but to embrace. “For some reason, I’ve always loved change,” he says. “It leads to creative thinking, greater efficiency, and ultimately becoming better. If we’re doing the same thing for too long, we’re already falling behind.” That mindset has positioned him to guide the organization through one of its most ambitious undertakings in recent years: migration to an integrated real estate technology platform that builds on Canderel’s strong operational foundation to enable even smarter, more strategic property management.
Modernizing Operations with Yardi
Real estate has long been slow to adopt new technology. “Technology in real estate has traditionally lagged,” Michael notes. “But now with advances in artificial intelligence, there’s a real push toward improving the technology base. We were fortunate to make the move to this system when we did because it set us up for the future”.
At Canderel, we are always looking for ways to innovate and strengthen how we manage our client’s assets. This migration was a strategic decision that allows us to unify our accounting, property management, and operational processes across our diverse portfolio. This integrated platform enhances efficiency, streamlines workflows, and provides greater insights and visibility, enabling us to deliver even more value to our clients and tenants. “Before Yardi, we had several systems supporting different parts of our operations,” explains Michael. “By bringing everything into one integrated platform, we’ve increased efficiencies, strengthened governance, and created more consistent workflows. It’s now the core system that drives our property management operations.”
Implementing a system of this scale requires careful planning and coordination across teams and change management has been a key focus. “Adopting new technology always comes with challenges,” Michael notes. “But once processes were aligned and teams embraced the platform, the benefits became clear. It’s provided us with a strong foundation to support the future of our operations”. This foundation also allows us to provide clients with insights that go beyond traditional reporting. With Yardi Data Connect, a tool that consolidates data across operations, we benefit from real-time dashboards, business intelligence, and predictive analytics. “Clients want much more than accurate reporting,” he explains. “They want real-time hindsight and foresight about performance. By unifying everything in an integrated system, we’ve created the groundwork for advanced business intelligence reporting and, ultimately, artificial intelligence.”
The AI Journey: From Generative to Agentic
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how Michael and his team work. With Yardi as the backbone of operations, Canderel is now positioned to embrace artificial intelligence in a way that transforms both internal workflows and the tenant experience. Michael describes AI adoption as a journey unfolding in three stages: generative, predictive, and agentic.
The first stage is Generative AI, which is already part of daily workflows through tools like Microsoft Copilot. AI-driven approach excels at synthesizing and summarizing information, whether that’s condensing a lengthy lease into key takeaways, drafting reports, or preparing correspondence. “It saves time, improves accuracy, and reduces errors,” Michael says. “It allows us to spend less time compiling and more time advising.”
The second stage is predictive AI, which Michael believes will have a profound impact on the industry. This phase moves beyond efficiency to foresight. By analyzing large datasets, predictive AI can not only forecast operating expenses, anticipate equipment failures, and project tenant rollover, but also identify patterns in energy consumption, model the financial impact of market shifts, and flag potential risks before they surface. “It turns what was once static reporting into more of an early warning system,” he explains. “Instead of reacting to issues after they’ve occurred, predictive AI allows us to get ahead of them, which completely changes the way we approach property management. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about protecting our client’s NOI. When we can anticipate critical operational events, we’re not just saving time, we’re defending asset values.”
Finally comes the most transformative stage: Agentic AI. Unlike its predecessors, which assist with information and forecasting, this advancement empowers AI to take autonomous action. Michael envisions a future where it serves as a true operational partner; reconciling recoveries, managing compliance, streamlining vendor payments, monitoring building performance, and even engaging directly with tenants. “Think of it as a digital co-manager,” he explains. “It continuously learns, adapts, and executes tasks across the business so people can devote their energy to strategy, relationships, and growth.”
AI as an Enabler, not a Replacement
Far from eliminating jobs, Michael sees AI as a tool that empowers teams. “It’s going to free up our time to offer more value-added functions. We’ll spend less time controlling computers and more time analyzing performance data and uncovering insights that help clients and tenants succeed.” The broader risk, he notes, isn’t AI itself, it’s companies and individuals that fail to adopt it. “Businesses that don’t embrace technology will be at a disadvantage. Those that do will gain efficiency, better insights, and a competitive edge.”
By shifting routine and transactional work to AI, property managers can focus on activities that directly enhance the client and tenant experience. From anticipating maintenance issues before they arise to providing deeper, real-time insights into portfolio performance, teams now have more capacity to strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful service. “AI doesn’t replace the human connection. It amplifies it,” Michael adds. “The more we can automate routine tasks, the more we can focus on anticipating client needs, improving tenant satisfaction, and ultimately boosting asset performance.”
Elevating the Tenant and Client Experience
Technology and AI are not only transforming internal operations, but they are also redefining the tenant experience as well. From smoother leasing and billing processes to self-serve portals for payments and document access, technology is making day-to-day interactions more seamless. Predictive and agentic AI further elevates this experience by anticipating issues and automating routine tasks. “Predictive AI will help us identify issues before they even occur for tenants, while agentic AI will automate service requests,” Michael says. “The tenant experience is now part of the asset value equation. Happy tenants renew, expand, and invest in more space, which directly drives asset values and performance”.
Yet he emphasizes that while technology offers powerful tools, maintaining a human connection is essential. “The risk is losing touch if organizations rely too much on artificial intelligence,” he says. “There has to be a balance; using it as a tool but still maintaining that human element between us, our clients, and tenants. Technology gives us the power to work smarter and faster, but it’s the people who build relationships, and act strategically to create real value for clients and tenants.”
The Evolving Role of Property Managers
Michael sees the role of property managers evolving as technology continues to advance. “Clients increasingly expect forward-looking insights, not just historical reports,” he says. “Those who embrace technology will have the tools to anticipate challenges, advise strategically, and deliver a higher level of service. Technology doesn’t replace the role, it enhances it.”
As integrated platforms and AI become part of daily operations, property managers are shifting from being task executors to strategic advisors. The ability to interpret data, anticipate risks, and connect operational insights to client objectives is now central to the role. Where property managers once focused on rent rolls and maintenance requests, they are increasingly expected to explain what the numbers mean and how they shape investment decisions.
At the same time, the growing emphasis on tenant experience has added a new dimension to the job. From ensuring seamless digital interactions to leveraging predictive tools for proactive maintenance, property managers now influence both client satisfaction and asset value. “Tomorrow’s property manager will need to balance people skills with data literacy,” Michael explains. “They’ll be expected to manage relationships while also using technology to drive smarter, faster decisions for owners and tenants alike.”
Looking Ahead
The evolution of real estate technology is not a distant horizon, it is unfolding in real time, reshaping the expectations of owners, tenants, and property managers in fundamental ways. Digital platforms and AI are no longer optional enhancements but strategic imperatives that define competitiveness in the market.
What distinguishes leaders in this environment is not simply adopting new systems but building the agility to adapt as technology continues to advance. By setting strong digital foundations today, companies can position themselves to unlock the full potential of predictive insights and intelligent automation tomorrow. Property managers will increasingly need to combine strong analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, and relationship skills to interpret insights and guide clients with clarity and confidence in an increasingly digital landscape.
For the industry, the next chapter will be defined by those who harness technology to deliver not only operational efficiency, but also transparency, foresight, and stronger tenant relationships. For Canderel, that future is already taking shape; driven by a commitment to innovation and a vision of property management where people and technology move forward together.
As Michael reflects: “Technology will keep evolving, but what matters most is how we evolve with it. The organizations that stay curious, adaptable and focused on client and tenant value will be the ones that thrive.”
