New Tool Makes Assessors' Lives Easier

Tyler's Assessment Connect Debuts at IAAO

Sifting through spreadsheets to find the data you need is a daunting task. Having to compile and share the data is even more of a challenge.

During this month’s International Association of Assessing Officers’ (IAAO) annual conference, Tyler staff walked through new ways to surface, interpret, and use key assessment data. Our experts chatted with assessment officers about ways to transform operations; making data-driven decisions from actionable insights. This capability is a large part of the future of the industry and has the power to turn challenge into opportunity, beginning today.

Improved Valuations and Profitability

A highlight in discussions around industry transformation was the debut of Assessment Connect, a new data solution designed specifically for assessors. This powerful technology can surface critical property assessment data for faster understanding and more efficient operations.

For example, appraisers no longer have to guess at unique real estate valuations or rely on manual efforts to secure comparable data. Advanced, shared transaction and real estate data allow for improved work environments and accurate valuations.

When assessment office staff can move away from time-consuming hunts for information or confusing reports, employees and managers experience a new confidence in their decisions. Immediate, easy access to aggregated data such as income valuation models, comparable sales data, land valuation techniques, and zoning information can:

• Improve valuations for fair and equitable taxation
• Reveal trends, patterns, and correlations
• Minimize lost revenue by easily spotting irregularities in data
• Eliminate the manual effort and time needed to compile spreadsheets and reports

“Not only does viewing complex data in easy-to-understand formats facilitate smarter decisions,” said Mark Hawkins, president of Tyler’s Appraisal & Tax Division, “it increases the public trust, which lowers the number of property tax appeals.”

“Particularly when ideas and goals are married with modern technology,” Hawkins noted, “assessment offices will be able to continue to move the needle in the context of reduced resources, solving problems, engaging the public, and improving communities.” With new tools and strategies, the future of the field holds much promise.