AppFolio announced new features earlier this month to its cloud-based management products for real estate. One is a security deposit alternative in partnership with Obligo, a data report builder, and a tool to import bank and reconcile bank transactions.

Obligo uses so-called open banking technology to gain access, with permission, to a broader set of financial information on consumers. Its software uses AI systems to analyze the results and determine whether a landlord can trust a consumer enough to let someone become a tenant without paying a security deposit. The company offers an application programming interface, or API, to give other companies access to its capabilities.

Reporting applications have long been a staple of business. With controlled access to data, executives and manager can pull together combinations of information that they find helpful in decision making. AppFolio's new Report Builder provides "access to improved report customization and combination capabilities," as the press release says. "These enhancements empower property managers to meet specific reporting requirements, save new reports for future reference and easily share findings all while maintaining drill-down capabilities."