Yes!  We provide multiple ways to share in a controlled but easy fashion.  You can download the hardcoded version, you can share the online reports, and you can also provide free access to the pro forma using the CRE Suite Add-In within Microsoft Excel..

We routinely convert our clients’ existing/custom Excel models to work with our cloud-based storage and aggregation technology. Most also can be configured to work with our online reporting tools.

We use Excel as a customizable interface and to reduce the learning curve, but the calculation engines are only accessible through the CRE Suite API / Add-In. (See “Isn’t this just Excel?” below for more details.)

Yes.  The software requires a Windows OS environment for security purposes only. Many users of Mac business applications are already accustomed to this nuance, as there is no shortage of Windows OS Virtual Machine (VM) products for Mac. (In our view,  the VM approach is best-suited to provide the latest and best security features and software capabilities.)

Please refer to our Quick Start Guide for installation instructions found on our online knowledgebase. 

There are many indicators available to users within a folder–time stamps, controlled permissioning, and even a checkout data feature that prevents others from working on it.  That said, each user has the flexibility to create as many versions and scenarios as they want and choose whom they want to share them with.

The CRE Suite’s multipronged approach to model-governance preserves all iterations of clients’ financial models and also provides safety features to protect clients’ data from inadvertent introduction of errors. The cloud-based platform allows your internal and external stakeholders to access project financials without losing track of calculations (all iterations of which are automatically saved) or inadvertently breaking formulas and/or disrupting the model itself. By contrast, an error-prone, in-house approach could trigger legitimate data-integrity concerns among sophisticated investment prospects.

Through this approach to Model Governance, we have solved what for many companies has been a longstanding issue with Excel templates–how to keep the “good parts” of Excel and eliminate the “bad parts.” The key is the CRE Suite’s revolutionary Library feature, which contains and preserves all of the controlled calculation engines. (Users cannot permanently alter the engine without additional support.) All of that said, the CRE Suite provides robust options for customizing models and running detailed “What If?” scenarios as needed.

“Black Box” typically means that the user can’t see any of the inner workings of the software (and therefore must simply trust that its outputs are correct). “Grey Box” typically means that the user has some level of access to the inner workings of the software. Most of the models on our platform have a “Monthly Cash Flows” tab that allows users to trace a large portion of the calculations used. As a result, they can feel confident in the results. 

Most of the time they are really asking for your inputs so they can run them through their own models. We provide a dedicated Inputs and Assumptions export for such situations, but we also give CRE Suite users several controlled, easy  ways to share.  For example, you can download the hardcoded version, share online reports, and also use the Add-In to access the fully functioning Excel file within your own Microsoft Excel environment.  

Yes! When you share a project that is stored in the Suite you can select the granted level of permission:

• Web Only: Can only view web reports (cannot access the dynamic Excel model) and see the owners of the folder, but not other Viewers, Editors or Web-Only users. This allows project owners to discreetly share with multiple potential investors on the project.  
• Viewer (Default – recommended for sharing externally): Can download any data from the project folder and can manipulate the inputs/assumptions on their local computer, but cannot upload to the folder or overwrite any existing data. Viewers see the owners of the folder but not other Viewers, Editors or Web-Only users.
• Editor: Can upload and overwrite any data in the project. Can see all users who have access to the project. 
• Owner: Has all of the same powers and permissions as the creator of the project including sharing, deleting, renaming, etc.

Our support team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the logic and calculations used in any of our products. You can also find some details in our knowledge base. Each of our pro formas come with a help icon that links directly to our knowledge base post that gives you as much detail as you would need.

You have access to an expert team that can assist with anything from installation support all the way to teaching you how to most effectively use the software. When you sign up, we will schedule an onboarding/training meeting and will provide as many calls as you need to feel comfortable or refresh your knowledge. The best way to reach out is to email support@cremodels.com, or call 201-252-7487 during our normal business hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST). 

Yes! You can upload your own logos and color codes directly into the CRE Suite, which will be used for your reports when printing/sharing/underwriting, etc.

Your data is never deleted and will remain secured in the event you choose to come back and re-subscribe. If you need access to any data you stored in the CRE Suite system after you’ve cancelled your subscription, just reach out to our support team. 

Our platform absolutely allows our burgeoning community of model experts to BYOM (Bring Your Own Model). In fact, the CRE Suite acts as a vehicle for you to both showcase your potential investments and demonstrate your facility with sophisticated financial models and software tools. 

There are a number of ways you can share the model with a lender or partner: 

1. Most of the models have built-in PDF buttons that will format and print the pages you want to send. 
2. You can also share the dynamic model with non-subscribers, which gives them a temporary free account to be able to download and install the CRE Suite add-in. Instructions for sharing can be found Here.
3. Lastly, most of the models have the ability to export a values-only “hardcode” version that does not require the CRE Suite add-in. To export this, log in online at online.cremodels.com and click into the deal you’d like to export. If the model has the ability to export, you can find a green “Export XLS” button on the page. 

Once your subscription is cancelled (30 days’ notice is required) you will not be able to log into the platform to continue using it. 

By maintaining ownership of the model inventory, CREModels is able to ensure the highest levels of quality for everyone who uses our products. Our research and development efforts focus on a known inventory, making product upgrades easy to apply and control. Customer service, long a point of pride for CREModels, is at the core of our operating paradigm. Because CREModels is responsible for the quality and reliability of every model, every client can receive personalized advice and support to help them achieve their particular goals.

Unlike some of our competitors, CREModels doesn’t sell Excel files. Instead, we license access to our real estate modeling platform, which boasts an industry-leading library of high-utility, Excel-based models and includes access to robust services and our expert analyst team.

Microsoft Excel is familiar across the world of commercial real estate–and this is precisely why CREModels has chosen to use an Excel-based interface in conjunction with the CRE Suite. However, our cloud-based platform is much, much more than “just Excel.”

Our real estate analysts and technologists have spent thousands of hours over many years refining the underlying business logic, algorithms and code in the CRE Suite to maximize stability, consistency, utility and security. That includes developing an Excel Add-In that secures these files along with providing other useful features.

By contrast, the “source code” of a typical Excel file is vulnerable and easy for even novice users to crack. So the Excel environment, in other words, is simply a delivery system for the powerful tools made available by the CRE Suite.

Having a monthly relationship with a stable code base and positive feedback loop allows us to put resources into bug fixes, feature requests, increased stability, improved speed, and more.

All users of our platform receive updates of the base models over time as they are released. Users are also invited to join our beta program to test the latest features and collaborate with our developer teams.

When CRE Suite users see our long list of past product updates, as well as our roadmap for future updates, they immediately appreciate that they  are not simply buying a set-in-stone model–they are accessing an evolving ecosystem of intellectual property that is on the leading edge of commercial real estate technology.

Users often call with questions on how to underwrite certain scenarios in our models. Our comprehensive offering includes ongoing modeling support, as well as assistance with any technical issues which may arise. This also helps as our clients bring on new employees, etc. as we will handle the support and training of the models to bring them up to speed so they aren’t having to deal with that piece.

High-touch, personalized client service and game-changing software is what CREModels is all about. Nothing is as important to us as maintaining strong, long-term relationships with our clients.

There are many 3rd-party integrations, cloud-based services and other support functions that incur costs on our end which are impossible to decouple from the platform without making it unstable.

It is not possible for CRE Suite users to “own” the models, as they are covered under numerous other agreements that must all remain consistent to protect our ownership of the intellectual property. If we were to transfer ownership to you, it could invalidate our contracts with other clients and put their business operations at risk as well.

In these cases, CREModels will still own the model. While the client role will include defining high-level business logic as well as testing the models, CREModels will continue to employ its expertise in engineering those models and adjusting business logic, modules and code that are already used by many other clients.

Once again, it is not possible for clients to legally “own” any of our models. (For large enterprise relationships with substantial tech budgets involving highly customized, non-standard functionality, we will occasionally allow a perpetual license. If you are interested in this option, contact your sales representative for more a quote.)