Preiss and IRIS Technologies Celebrate Dual Wins at 2026 Student Housing Business Innovator Awards
In a remarkable achievement, Preiss, a prominent housing owner-operator, alongside IRIS Technologies, a leader in property technology, has been recognized with two prestigious awards at the 2026 Student Housing Business Innovator Awards. This acknowledgment highlights their innovative Mobile Wallet Experience, which has fundamentally transformed access management in student housing. The awards were conferred in two key categories: Best Vendor/Operator Solution and Best In-House Management Innovation.
This dual recognition is not just a testament to their hard work, but reflects a growing trend towards technological advancements in the real estate sector, specifically in student housing. The joint efforts of Preiss and IRIS Technologies signify a collaborative approach to problem-solving in the market. As stated by Whitney Kidd, SVP of Innovation, 'This dual win validates our belief that the best innovations are born from disciplined collaboration.'
Transformative Initiatives in Student Housing
The Mobile Wallet Experience, which took three years to develop, aims to enhance the resident experience by minimizing friction points and increasing operational efficiency. By being the first off-campus student housing providers to utilize a comprehensive mobile wallet system, Preiss and IRIS have set a new industry standard. This innovative solution enables residents to gain access to their units and amenities through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet with a simple tap. What is truly remarkable about this technology is its functionality; it operates seamlessly even when users’ devices are offline or without battery life.
Tangible Benefits
The impact of this collaboration has already resulted in significant operational improvements. They have achieved a 38% reduction in access-related calls and after-hours lockouts, providing a smoother experience for both residents and management. Moreover, the initiative has generated an annual lift in Net Operating Income (NOI) of $698,000 through tech fees and decreased labor and maintenance costs across nine communities that host approximately 5,000 beds. This speaks volumes about the financial viability of such technological investments.
Fully integrated with Entrata, the Mobile Wallet Experience syncs access permissions with real-time lease data, ensuring that operational processes are streamlined and effective.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Innovation
An exclusive summit held at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, California, marked a significant milestone for the project. This event allowed Preiss and IRIS to engage directly with Apple, providing insights into the specific operational challenges within the student housing sector. It was a pivotal opportunity to influence the future of mobile access technology through collaboration with industry giants such as Apple, Google, Quext, and Allegion. IRIS Technologies has effectively acted as the bridge, connecting strategy with execution to enhance operational capabilities.
About Preiss and IRIS Technologies
Preiss is based in Raleigh and serves a large population of students through its extensive array of housing communities across the United States. Their innovation and consulting partner, IRIS Technologies, focuses on identifying, testing, and scaling technology solutions that provide enhanced living experiences and boost operational performance. Together, the two entities are committed to partnering with property owners, operators, and technology providers to facilitate real-world innovations that push the boundaries of efficiency and service quality in multifamily living.
For communities looking to deploy similar mobile wallet access solutions, IRIS Technologies encourages them to get in touch by contacting them directly. This breakthrough in technology represents not just a shift in access methods, but an evolution towards a more tech-driven future in the property management industry.