How Bell Partners’ Director of Enterprise Solutions views the evolution of PropTech, the importance of data integrity, and why choosing the right data conversion partner makes all the difference
When Matt Moncrief started his career in multifamily real estate in 1999, the industry looked dramatically different. DOS-based systems dominated property management, manual processes were the norm, and the internet was in its early days of reinventing how properties operated. Twenty-six years later, as Bell Partners‘ Director of Enterprise Solutions, Moncrief has witnessed many significant technological transformations in real estate history.
His journey also illustrates an important truth about multifamily success: the right technology partnerships can make the difference between operational excellence and constant struggle.
“It really is a great partnership that has existed for some time.” In multifamily real estate, where success depends on seamless operations and reliable data, such partnerships aren’t just helpful. They’re essential.”–Matt Moncrief
Understanding Bell Partners: A Company Built on Core Values
Before diving into Moncrief’s journey, it’s essential to understand the company he now serves. Bell Partners is a fully integrated real estate investment management company with a clear purpose: “to create communities our residents are proud to call home”. Founded on five core values—Serve Our Residents, Do the Right Thing Every Time, Put the Team First, Outperform, and Prepare for the Future Today—Bell Partners has built a culture that prioritizes both excellence and integrity.
These values aren’t merely corporate talking points; they actively guide how Bell Partners selects technology partners and approaches major initiatives. As we’ll see throughout Moncrief’s story, this values-driven approach has been instrumental in building lasting, successful partnerships.
Building a Foundation Through Operations
Moncrief’s journey began at Post Properties in Atlanta, where he started as a leasing consultant. “I came up through the operation side of things with lots of wonderful opportunities,” he recalls. His progression from leasing consultant to assistant manager to property manager gave him key insights into the day-to-day realities of multifamily operations. This experience proved to be crucial in his later technology roles.
It was during his time at Post that Moncrief first experienced the transformative power of working with specialized consultants during a major Yardi implementation. “That’s where I learned these consultants are invaluable,” he reflects. “They were the people who knew enough about the industry that you could truly partner with, and they could help you move forward without being completely overwhelmed.”
This early lesson in the value of expert partnerships would shape his entire approach to technology management.
The Evolution of PropTech: From DOS to AI
Having witnessed the industry’s changes over nearly three decades, Moncrief offers a unique perspective on PropTech evolution. “I remember DOS systems and lots of manual work. It has changed enormously since I’ve been on site,” he notes.
The journey from AMSI’s DOS-based systems to web-based platforms like MRI, and eventually to Yardi’s comprehensive ecosystem, represents more than just technological advancement. It’s been a fundamental shift in how the industry operates. Today, Moncrief sees the industry at another inflection point where data has become the new currency, driving everything from operational decisions to AI implementations.
“Data reliability and integrity are huge,” he emphasizes. “You can’t put AI on top of bad data and bad processes and expect it to perform. It has to have a foundation.”
The Critical Role of Data Conversion Excellence
This focus on data quality brings us to one of the most critical—yet often underestimated—aspects of multifamily operations: data conversion and property onboarding. When Bell Partners joined forces with Gelbgroup as their preferred data conversion partner, it transformed how they approach property acquisitions and transitions.
“Gelbgroup is our preferred partner that we work with on property acquisitions,” Moncrief states emphatically. The relationship goes far beyond simple vendor arrangements. It’s a strategic partnership that has enabled Bell Partners to scale their acquisition activities while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
When Speed Meets Precision: The Gelbgroup Advantage
The true test of any data conversion partnership comes under pressure. Moncrief recalls a situation where a client complained about Bell Partners’ typical three-day property turnover time, pushing for even faster delivery. “We called Gelbgroup, and I thought it was silly. I really did. I thought that was unreasonable, that somebody wanted us to do it even quicker. And Gelbgroup was able to help us with that.”
This experience highlighted a crucial differentiator: while Bell Partners could potentially handle conversions internally, Gelbgroup’s specialization delivers results that would be difficult to match. “In my previous role, I did transitions myself at a smaller company and sometimes it would take up to two weeks,” Moncrief explains. “So, a three-day turnover made me think, ‘How is this possible?'”
The 119-Property Challenge: Partnership Under Pressure
Perhaps nothing illustrates the strength of the Bell Partners-Gelbgroup partnership better than the year they completed 119 property transitions, with 20 occurring in December alone. “The year prior to me joining, they did 130 transitions. A crazy number!” Moncrief reflects. “There was never a concern that Gelbgroup wouldn’t be able to get it done with us.”
This scalability isn’t just about processing volume; it’s about maintaining quality and accuracy under extreme pressure. Gelbgroup’s systematic approach to data validation and conversion ensures that each property transition meets Bell Partners’ exacting standards, regardless of timeline constraints.
Beyond Data Conversion: A True Advisory Partnership
What sets Gelbgroup apart in Moncrief’s experience is how their role grew from service provider to trusted advisor. “We use Gelbgroup extensively for document and report generation. They’ve always been extremely helpful, understanding our requirements and working very closely with us.”
The partnership extends beyond traditional data conversion services. “Sometimes I don’t think of everything, and they help me,” Moncrief notes. “They’ll say, ‘Wait, if you do this, you’re missing something.’ They’re not order takers, but highly collaborative, trusted advisors who ensure we get the results that we want and that our clients expect.”
The Hidden Value of Data Conversion Excellence
One of the most compelling aspects of Moncrief’s story centers on work that often goes unnoticed: the meticulous handling of historical data and complex records that don’t immediately appear in user interfaces. “Behind the scenes for previous records, a lot of our systems are now working on prior resident data, and when you’re acquiring a property, some of that stuff’s tough to implement, especially when it’s not complete.”
Gelbgroup’s expertise in managing these complex data relationships ensures that Bell Partners maintains comprehensive historical records, supporting everything from analytics to compliance requirements. “We have relied on Gelbgroup to give us that data. And they do. They come through every time.”
When issues do arise—whether from integration challenges, communication gaps, or setup oversights—Gelbgroup’s partnership approach shines through. “Sometimes it’s an issue with an integration or it’s an issue with communication or a fee setup where we didn’t have the property. Gelbgroup did it right. But I tell you what, we get Gelbgroup involved when we have little oopsies like that.”
Measuring Success: The KPIs That Matter
When asked what would happen if Bell Partners had to onboard properties without Gelbgroup, Moncrief’s response is telling: “I don’t want to think about doing property onboarding without Gelbgroup. We could probably get through it, but I don’t want to.”
The cost goes beyond potential errors. “It would take my team away from some of the other important tasks that we have to work on this important task. And so, it’s really good to augment the team with people who are so knowledgeable about this, who have a system down.”
Moncrief’s approach to measuring data conversion success reflects the partnership’s effectiveness. Primary metrics include help desk tickets post-go-live, data integrity validation through business intelligence systems, and seamless integration with analytics platforms. “We don’t find a lot of problems with Gelbgroup,” he notes, highlighting the preventive value of their thorough validation processes.
Values Alignment: The Foundation of Partnership
At Bell Partners, cultural alignment with vendors isn’t a preference, it’s a requirement. “We don’t work with folks who don’t share our common values,” Moncrief explains. “I have seen after a meeting… one of our C-suite executives will ask a vendor partner or a potential vendor partner what their mission statement is. And if they can’t tell us or don’t have one, guess what? Then we don’t share values, and we have walked away.”
The partnership with Gelbgroup exemplifies this values alignment. “Gelbgroup and Bell’s values, I believe, do align. You are approachable. You are helpful. And we have access to Gelbgroup leadership whenever we want to.”
Looking Forward: “Prepare for the Future Today” in Technology
As Bell Partners prepares for major technology upgrades including Voyager 8 and CRM IQ, their approach embodies their core value of “Prepare for the Future Today.” This isn’t just about implementing the latest technology; it’s about building the foundational elements that will support long-term success.
“We are very anxious to implement Voyager 8 and CRM IQ. We are being very strategic about that,” Moncrief says, emphasizing their focus on data integrity and proper foundational work. This methodical approach reflects Bell Partners’ commitment to outperforming consistently over the long term rather than chasing short-term gains.
The company’s partnership with Gelbgroup continues to evolve as part of this vision, providing the data quality and conversion expertise that will be essential for future AI implementations and advanced analytics.
This intentional approach, of building on solid data foundations rather than rushing to implement the latest new technologies, reflects lessons learned through years of successful partnerships. The same principle applies to data conversion: investing in specialized expertise upfront prevents costly problems and enables long-term success.
Advice for Industry Professionals
For those considering their own data conversion partnerships, Moncrief’s experience suggests several key criteria: technical expertise, collaborative approach, values alignment, and proven scalability. “There are solutions to all of these problems, you just need to pull in the right people,” he advises.
His recommendation for industry newcomers remains consistent: “Start on site” to understand operations fundamentally. This operational foundation is important when evaluating technology solutions and partnerships.
Conclusion: The Multiplier Effect of Strategic Partnerships
Matt Moncrief’s 26-year journey from leasing consultant to enterprise solutions director illustrates how the right partnerships can serve as force multipliers for organizational success. His experience with Gelbgroup demonstrates that data conversion and property onboarding, which are often viewed as necessary administrative tasks, can become competitive advantages when handled by true experts.
The partnership between Bell Partners and Gelbgroup shows what’s possible with the right combination of technical expertise, collaborative partnership, and shared values. In an industry where data quality increasingly determines market advantage, the choice of conversion partner can make the difference between operational excellence and constant struggle.
As Moncrief puts it: “It really is a great partnership that has existed for some time.” In multifamily real estate, where success depends on seamless operations and reliable data, such partnerships aren’t just helpful. They’re essential.”
For multifamily professionals evaluating their own data conversion needs, Moncrief’s experience suggests a simple question: Do you want a vendor, or do you want a partner? The answer may determine your next conversion project’s success and your organization’s long-term competitive position.
If you have Data Conversion or other Yardi needs, please send an email to info@gelbgroup.com; we’d love to hear from you!
