SKYLINE Property Management Reviews

“Top notch training support!

Pros

Getting started with this software has been very eays and the system is simple to use. The training team has been excellent, they really take the time to work with you and having 10 hours per month available is a valuable bonus!

Cons

At the beginning I don't think the system was being used the way it was intended so a lot of things were left incomplete. And without historical data in place running certain reports can be difficult at times.

“tenant reports are easy

Pros

Tenant reports were fairly easy to work with although pulling certain reports wasn't always the simplest process.

Cons

Bank reconciliations and closing out the month were challenging parts of using the software.

“Quite average performance

Pros

Tenant reports were fairly easy to work with for us although getting access to certain reports was not always a very simple process.

Cons

Bank reconciliations and month-end closing were difficult to manage.

“accurate financial reporting

Pros

The financial data is very reliable and accurate.

Cons

Support from them has really fallen off and the software is no longer being improved to match current industry demands. A few years back an update completely broke our CAM reconciliations which made it clear the release had not been properly tested. The problem was never fixed and we ended up spending countless hours trying to work around it.

“Provides accurate data

Pros

The financial data this tool provides is very accurate for us.

Cons

It doesn't seem to have strong support anymore and it hasn't been improved enough to match current industry demands. A few years back, an update made our CAM reconciliations unusable which clearly showed it hadn't been tested properly. The issue was never fixed and we ended up spending many hours trying to work through it.

“multiyear ledger visibility

Pros

Having permanent access to the general ledger history is really valuable. The multiyear general ledger lets me track expense trends across different years which makes long term financial review much more useful.

Cons

The major platform overhaul in 2019 came with a pretty steep adjustment period. Navigation still feels more complicated than it used to and even with favorites added it doesn't fully fix the issue. There are just too many menu layers to click through before getting to what you need.

“Simple posting

Pros

After about a year using this software the daily posting tasks have been pretty easy to handle. Since I'm still fairly new to this line of work I've made some pretty major mistakes along the way. The best part is that my customer rep has been incredible whenever that happens. She stays calm, wel informed, kind and reassuring so I don't panic anymore when I run into a big error. Knowing that she can help me work through it has made a huge difference. She's truly the best!

Cons

One thing missing is some kind of app that my CPM could use while out in the field.

“user friendly but too many steps

Pros

The software is user friendly and simple to work with and I also appreciate that it isn't cloud based.

Cons

Setting up a new property takes quite a few steps which makes the process feel longer than it should.

“reliable support and usability

Pros

Two things really make this software work well for us. First it's very user friendly and second the support team is excellent. Any time we've had what seemed like an issue we've always gotten a fast response and most of the time it turns out to be something we just needed better understanding of on our end.

Cons

There are a few small things that could be improved. For example it would be helpful to change the GL date in AP while entering an invoice instead of having to go to a separate screen. That said it's not something we need to do very often so it's not a major concern.

“helpful customer service

Pros

The best part of this product has been the customer service.

Cons

I do wish it were a bit simpler to figure out on my own.

“All in one property management win

Pros

It lets us keep all of our properties organized in one place, enter property, tenant and vendor details, handle bill payments and send invoices to tenants without trouble.

Cons

At times certain fields have character limits and can't be adjusted. For example some email addresses don't fit in the space allowed.

“report drill down is great!

Pros

Being able to click straight into a transaction from a report and instantly see the GL coding and description is really useful.

Cons

Voiding checks could be better. It would help a lot to have a bulk option for voiding multiple checks instead of handling them one by one.

“flexible modules

Pros

Using this software has been simple and it adapts well to the specific needs of our business. There are plenty of optional modules available and it also works well with a variety of other software platforms which gives us a lot of flexibility.

Cons

It does occasionally time out and I'd really like to see a more advanced budgeting tool included.

“Simple navigation

Pros

Getting around the system is very simple whether I'm moving between different occupant information sections, attaching documents or searching for data. It's user friendly and doesn't take much effort to find what I need.

Cons

Each update tends to come with some kind of glitch which can be frustrating. That said I realize most software has that issue and the IT team is always accessible and extremely helpful when something comes up.

“Dependable reports

Pros

Back when I started using this four years ago the database was completely new to me and I had no prior experience with the software. My representative pointed me toward the training classes and also recommended using the Help line. During those first few months I was calling support at least twice a week and they consistently got back to me within a day. The team was responsive, friendly and really knew the system well. The assistance I got was excellent and honestly felt like having a personal tutor. I even started requesting the same person because she understood what I needed and would always call me back. Within a year I was comfortable running the database on my own. Even now I still reach out occasionally when I have a question or need help. I'm currently using the 2020 version and it's actually enjoyable to work in. The multiple screen option has really helped me become more efficient with my time. There are a lot of features available which makes it a very capable system. The reports are another strong point. I can use them and then convert them into Excel files or PDFs which helps me combine that information with other reports I create.

Cons

Even after taking the classes I still needed extra explanation once I started working in the database by myself. In the beginning it felt complicated and a little overwhelming. Having bookkeeping experience definitely helped me understand and piece together some of the processes.

“solid value for basic property management

Pros

It is an easy property management platform that handles the core parts of the job well. Compared with similar products the pricing is fairly low which makes it a strong option for companies with simpler requirements. It works especially well if you do not need anything too advanced and it is nice to see that the product continues to improve over time.

Cons

At the same time the software can feel rigid and a bit buggy to work with. When customization is needed you have to rely on Crystal Reports or Cumulus to get it done which adds extra effort. Another limitation is that the file structure is not SQL based.

“Efficient expense tracking

Pros

Having access to the full general ledger history has been really valuable. With the multi-year general ledger, I'm able to track how expenses change and trend over time which helps a lot.

Cons

The platform redesign in 2019 came with a pretty complicated adjustment. Browsing isn't as easy as it used to be and while the favorites feature helps a bit, it doesn't really fix the issue. There are still too many menu layers to click through just to reach what you need.

“Accessible platform with quick onboarding

Pros

Getting new team members up to speed on Skyline has never been much of a challenge because the system is very accessible and simple to use. I've trained several new users on it and they were able to learn it and start working in it fairly quickly.

Cons

After using this for 20 years (going all the way back to the DOS version) I still really miss the old keyboard shortcuts. Having to switch constantly between the keyboard and the mouse slows me down quite a bit. The keyboard shortcuts included in the 2020 version feel buggy, take a few seconds to register and execute and at times they do not work at all.

“powerful reporting

Pros

Has been a really well rounded solution for both accounting and property management. It's especially strong when it comes to producing highly useful financial reports for our investors and lenders. Other than that the technical support has been excellent and they even referred us to an expert we still work with today. We've been very happy with the software overall.

Cons

I don't have any negative feedback to share about it.

“solid value!

Pros

It offers strong value for the price and covers the basic accounting features well. The option to build custom reports with the Cumulus Excel add on and Crystal Reporting is also a big plus.

Cons

The interface isn't very flexible which can make it frustrating for users at times.

“Fast payments

Pros

Right away it stands out for how useful and readable the reports are. When something more specific is needed the Crystal Report Writer makes it possible to build a custom report that fits exactly what you need. The Lockbox feature is also a big plus since it lets you record a batch of payments for an unlimited number of transactions. I've personally entered batches with more than 6,000 transactions so it handles volume very well. Importing and exporting data is also simple and the new ACH Payable add-on has made vendor payments much more convenient since there's no longer a need to cut a check.

Cons

One thing I would still like to see improved is the requirement to purchase user licenses. It would also be nice if the program or at least a version of it, were developed more specifically for HOAs and condominium associations.

“deep features available

Pros

Once the initial setup is out of the way the system feels pretty accessible and it's simple to pull the information you need from property management and AR. The same goes for financial statements and GL reports. Setting up multiple charts of accounts in the GL is also easy. There's a wide range of property management and general ledger functions available, depending on how much detail you want to work with. AP is user friendly too. Overall it delivers excellent value when you compare it with other options in the market.

Cons

The biggest downside is that AP and AR don't update the GL in real time. You have to post transactions from those modules first before they show up in the general ledger.

“record keeping made easy

Pros

Using this platform has made record keeping simple and the software is very user friendly while still covering the essential tasks we need.

Cons

Honestly the only downside is that we probably should have bought it much earlier.

“Great support!

Pros

One of the best parts is the support team. They're friendly, respectful and consistently available when help is needed. More importantly they really know the system and take time to understand your specific situation so they can show you the best way to use it. That made the learning process feel very manageable. The software is also very user friendly. It doesn't take long to learn and a lot of it feels pretty flexible. Even starting with very little accounting knowledge I was able to get comfortable with it fairly quickly. Entering data is simple and there are multiple checks built in to help review your own work or someone else's including catching duplicate entries. The reports are clean, readable and the option to build custom reports adds a lot of value. Also the pricing is a major advantage compared to other property management platforms out there.

Cons

Something that's missing is a true user manual. The "Skyline Help" section inside the software explains what each area is for but it doesn't really walk you through how to use it step by step. If you're expecting clear bullet point instructions you'll most likely need to get that guidance from the support team who really are a big part of what makes it work well. The sales team is also not especially warm or helpful although that's less of an issue since you only really have to interact with them every couple of years.

“clean layout

Pros

Right away the software comes across as very capable. It offers solid functions, the clean layout makes navigation simple for users at any skill level, the reporting features are strong and the customer support team is well informed and helpful.

Cons

One thing that could be improved is that the dates do not automatically default to the current date when running reports.

“great fit for commercial accounting

Pros

Running the accounting side of our real estate group with this software has been very easy. It includes all the features we need without making the menus or overall process feel overly complicated. The system is also very dependable and we almost never have to contact support. On the few occasions we've needed assistance their team has responded quickly and been very helpful.

Cons

It works perfectly for our commercial properties but I'd still love to see it developed into a fully rounded residential solution with all the features that are normally expected from residential property management software.

“fast data entry and reporting

Pros

Getting information into the system is very easy and most reports are quick and simple to run.

Cons

The standard vendor reports don't include totals so you have to calculate them manually.

“Powerful reporting and billing upgrades

Pros

After 27 years of using it we've seen the software evolve in some very meaningful ways to keep pace with the property management industry. The recent redesign of the escalation spreadsheets has been a big win for our company, helping us organize the billing process and making recoveries to our commercial tenants much more efficient and accurate. The F9 feature has also added a lot of value by improving our reporting capabilities and the presentation of financial statements both for monthly operations and for tax reporting. At the moment we're also moving toward implementing the Facility Maintenance Module which we expect will help us better manage and track our current maintenance calls.

Cons

Looking ahead we'd really like to see them add an Online Residential Application Portal that includes digital signature functions, built in screening for faster background and credit checks and a way to track communication history by tenant.

“Provides helpful reports

Pros

It's a very complete accounting and property management system overall. The software is especially strong when it comes to producing highly useful financial reports for our investors and lenders. Skyline's technical support has also been excellent and they even referred us to an expert we're still working with today. We've been very happy with it.

Cons

I honestly don't have any negative feedback to share about it.

“Great accounting features

Pros

It offers great value for the price and covers the core accounting features well. The option to build custom reports with Cumulus, the Excel add-on and Crystal Reporting is also a big plus.

Cons

The interface is not very simple which can be frustrating for users at times.

“Smooth reporting experience

Pros

This tool stands out for its very useful, readable reports. When a standard report is not enough, the Crystal Report Writer makes it possible to build something more customized to match specific needs. Another feature that has been especially valuable is Lockbox which lets you record a batch of payments for an unlimited number of transactions. I have personally entered more than 6,000 transactions in a single batch so it clearly handles high volume well. Importing and exporting data is also very easy. On top of that, we recently added ACH Payable and it has made paying vendors much more convenient since there is no longer a need to cut a check.

Cons

Our analysis revealed that the one thing I would really like to see improved is the requirement to purchase user licenses. It would also be nice if the program or maybe a version of it, were designed more specifically for HOAs and condominium associations.