Businessweek

rchitecture that enables third-party applications to access OneSite and other applications hosted in the RealPage Cloud through the company’s RealPage Exchange platform that provides access to approximately 100 different public and private Web services and XML gateways that are used to import and export data through third party Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and process various transactions per day. RealPage Exchange also enables the company’s cloud services to access and interface with third-party property management systems, as well as its software-enabled value-added services. In addition, its system is designed to replicate data into a Universal Data Store, or UDS, each day. Access to UDS is enabled through an access layer called UDS Direct, which enables customers to build portfolio reports, dashboards and alerts using any Open Database Connectivity or Java Database Connectivity compliant report writer tool, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Service or Crystal Reports. UDS is also transmitted to a number of its larger customers each night to feed portfolio reporting systems that they have built internally. In addition to its production data centers, the company manages a separate development and quality assurance testing facility used to control the pre-production testing required before each new release of its on demand software. The company typically deploys new releases of the software underlying its on demand software solutions on a monthly or quarterly schedule depending on the solution. Professional Services The company’s consulting and implementation services include project and application management procedures, business process evaluation, business model development and data conversion. It also offers various training programs through its Online Learning Services for training administrators and onsite property managers on the use of its solutions and on current issues in the property management industry. Training options include regularly hosted classroom and online instruction (through its online learning courseware) as well as online seminars, or Webinars. The company also enables its customers to integrate their own training content with its content to deliver an integrated and customized training program for their on-site property managers. Product Support The company offers product support services that provide its customers with assistance from its product support professionals by phone or email in resolving issues with its solutions. The company offers three product support options: Standard, Frontline and Platinum. The Standard option includes product support during business hours. The Frontline option includes the features of the Standard option plus escalation to senior support representatives. The Platinum option includes the features of the Frontline option plus emergency product support on Saturdays and a designated senior product support liaison. Technology support is also available for consultations on firewalls, communications, security measures (including virus alerts), workstation configuration and disaster recovery options. The company also sponsors the RealPage User Group to facilitate communications between the company and its community of users. The RealPage User Group is governed by a steering committee of its customers, which consists of two elected positions and subcommittee chairs, each representing a RealPage product center or group of product centers. Product Development For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the company’s product development expense totaled $48.2 million. Sales and Marketing The company sells its software and services through its direct sales organization. In addition to new customer sales, the company sells additional solutions and consulting services to its existing customers. Customers The company develops long-term customer relationships and working closely with its customers to configure its solutions to meet the evolving needs of the rental housing industry. The company’s customers include REITs, property management companies, fee managers, regionally based owner ope