TOPS Software: 04 Profiles

Margie Prpich, A Master in Her Field

"We were delighted to find there is software created exclusively for C.A. management because that is what Field Master does, exclusively manage community associations."

Margie Prpich had a career in the hospitality industry. She spent many years providing high quality customer service, and teaching employees how to provide the best customer service. When she moved into the field of association management, she thought it would be a natural extension of her customer service abilities. It wasn’t until she began having work done on her own home that she began to question that ideal.

"Every contact in our attempt to complete our home projects brought us appalling displays of the worst customer service you can imagine. At work, I discovered being a property manager customarily meant there is one manager for many communities, expected to do all and know all for hundreds of people. Doing things that way, I knew I could not hold up to my own expectation of superb customer service. "

"So began the idea of Field Master, which encompasses a team of professionals who are experts in their field, (hence the name Field Master). Today, a CPA firm handles all of our accounting, an expert gardener oversees landscaping contractors, a general contractor oversees maintenance work, and our legal collections are handled by an attorney who is also the Board President of the Utah Chapter of CAI. We are truly a team of Field Masters."

Eighteen years have passed since she entered the property management field, and Margie’s dream is now a reality. As a part of that reality, Margie needed a property management system that would also be a field master—a computer program that would allow her team to perform at their peak without a cumbersome interface or the need for extensive training. This is how Margie discovered TOPS.

"After working with four other property management systems, I realized the importance of software exclusive to our needs. I researched all of the programs available on the Internet, and I was most impressed with TOPS."

"I chose TOPS because in starting up a new business I knew I would not have the time to learn a complicated program. I love the fact that TOPS 2000™ is Windows-based, addresses every area of community management, and is user friendly.”

"Most software programs on the market for property management focus on rental and leasing. We were delighted to find there is software created exclusively for C.A. management, because that is what Field Master does: exclusively manage community associations. TOPS provides all the necessary elements to professionally manage community associations."

Once they purchased TOPS 2000™, Field Master discovered some hidden benefits of using the software.

"An area where TOPS has been a tremendous benefit to our company is in collections. Before we had TOPS we were frequently asked about direct debit options. TOPS allowed us to offer direct debit and lockbox services, if fact we strongly advise it. "

"Eliminating the number of hands owner's checks pass through minimizes the chance of lost or forgotten payments, late charges, and errors in posting. The tracking of delinquent payment and the form letter tool makes collection simple. This all has proven to reduce delinquencies, which is crucial in managing finances necessary for successful operations of a community."

Another service that Field Master takes advantage of is the TOPS Community Web Site Service. Through their Management website, www.FieldMasterUT.com, the company has reached communities looking for management, and they have been able to sell their concept to developers nationwide because of their ability to work on-line. Additionally, web sites have provided benefits to the communities they manage.

"One of the main objectives in the creation of Field Master Community Management was to open up the lines of communication for all owners and give them a voice. Since these are shared interest communities that we mange, we felt the owner should not be kept in the dark regarding the operations of their association. "

Community websites have allowed us to do just that by: Announcing meeting date, time, agenda and minutes, documenting maintenance projects and meeting minutes. There is now more time for community functions and social activity, which in turn builds community spirit: another important goal in management of a healthy community.”

All of these benefits have culminated in a successful company, and a happy TOPS customer. So happy, in fact, that Margie has joined the TOPS Dealer Program.

"TOPS is a complete program best suited for community association management. I spent 6 months putting together ideas to build my company, and a year putting it in motion. My goal is to resolve all the problems of managing communities and build a surefire method for safe, detailed, by-the-book management. Finding TOPS solved half of that building process for me, because they too have the best practices in mind for community management. My advice? Look no further."

"Through TOPS, we bring a community web site to every community we manage. We practice open communication and fair and reasonable governance. We have found and will continue to seek out the best possible practices in our industry. TOPS has been a big part in helping us along our journey in building the best management company possible."

Margie Prpich has been a TOPS dealer and trainer since March of 2002. She is a CMCA and also runs a property management company in Salt Lake City Utah, Field Master Community Management, exclusive to community associations.

She is involved in the Community Associations Advocacy Network (CAAN), a nationally organized team of homeowners and professionals who are willing to communicate with their legislators in support of community associations.

Margie also is a certified paralegal and sits on the Board of Directors for the Utah Chapter of CAI.

Andrea Drennen is the Internet Services Manager.