PHA-Web Software

PHA-Web is an is an affordable web-based management solution, used by housing authority’s with less than 100 units to 10,000 units, designed and developed by Management Computer Services, Inc. (MCS) to manage all aspects of PHA operations. It is written using modern programming languages such as ASP.Net, Javascript and HTML. The relational database runs on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition and can easily accommodate housing authorities of any size.

There are many reasons MCS created an Internet-based software solution. The main reasons are that it: reduces software setup and operational expenses, takes advantage of features that only Internet-based software can provide and keeps agency data safe.

Internet-based software saves money in two ways. The first cost savings is realized when the contract is signed. PHA-Web is Internet-based which means that software is not installed on agency servers. Accordingly, there are no software licenses to purchase. Instead, PHA-Web users pay only an annual subscription fee that provides access to the software, includes all software patches, updates and maintenance and provides unlimited software support. In many cases, PHA-Web annual fees cost approximately the same as what other vendors charge for software support services alone.

The second cost savings is found in hardware and related IT expense. Because PHA-Web resides on MCS servers and accessed via the Internet, the PHA does not incur the expense of purchasing a server dedicated to running the software. Instead, the PHA logs in to PHA-Web using Microsoft Internet Explorer. The savings increase when considering the IT expense that is eliminated by not having a server or a dedicated PHA-Web network to maintain. Plus, PHA-Web automatically performs all data backups which eliminates having your staff or IT people manually create backups. It should also be noted that MCS installs all patches and performs all maintenance on PHA-Web software. No maintenance is performed by the PHA.

One of the key features that Internet-based applications provide is portability of the software.

  • Would you like the ability to work from home?
  • Do you have a remote office location that requires access to the software?
  • Does a fee accountant need access to financial components?
  • Want to use tablets or smart phone mobile devices to access your housing data?
  • Interested in posting your housing availability on your web site and updating the information in real time?

Users that have the proper user ID and password may login to PHA-Web from any location having an Internet connection and a computer running Internet Explorer 9 or greater. Eliminate troublesome VPN or remote desktop connections and simply logon to PHA-Web.

Furthermore, Internet-based design allows MCS to program advanced features into PHA-Web like the inspection system that runs on iPad, Windows and Android tablet devices or optional web sites that integrate with the PHA-Web database so landlords may look up payments or applicants can check waiting list status online. There are no files to upload, web sites automatically synchronize with PHA-Web in real time.

Finally, Internet based software keeps data secure. Housing authority data resides on PHA Web servers that are housed in a secure co-location facility and is backed up in 15 minute increments throughout the day. PHA-Web servers are redundantly constructed to eliminate single points of failure and each server has at least one backup server. Flood or fire damage to PHA offices will not affect agency data because it is stored off site. Nor can data be lost when PHA servers fails and data backup was not performed.

PHA-Web software is organized in three main sections:

Tenant Management – Tenant management performs tenant related tasks ranging from taking tenancy applications and creating waiting lists to performing federal certifications including TRACS Multifamily, Rural Development, Massachusetts and Connecticut state certifications. PHA-Web also manages tax credit programs, HQS inspections and rent reasonableness.

What is special about our tenant certification section is that it utilizes a forms based user interface designed to increase data entry efficiency and user friendliness. Forms-based user interface means that the certification data input screens are designed to resemble as closely as possible the HUD form being entered. For example, the 50058 certification screen contains the same fields and line numbers as the original HUD 50058 form. Therefore, if agency staff members understand the 50058 form, data can easily be entered into PHA-Web. Tenant management integrates with financial management to provide data on all tenant financial transactions.

Financial Management – Financial management contains a complete general ledger component designed for asset management and comes with a full reporting section used to create balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flow in addition to general ledger and general journal reports. It is used to manage accounts receivable, accounts payable and asset management.

Financial management also produces HAP checks and makes direct deposits and portability payments. It tracks tenant accounts receivable and deposit balances, pays vendor accounts payable, tracks vendor balances and imports payroll data. It integrates to most PHA-Web tenant and property managers to collect financial data for reporting and eliminate redundant data entry.

Property Management - Property management collects, stores and manages data about agency buildings and units. This is where work orders are created, materials, inventory and maintenance labor are tracked and public housing inspections get performed.

What is special about property management is the public housing inspection system. Maintenance staff may use mobile devices such as iPad, Android or Windows-based tablets to perform inspections while in the field. Inspections are synchronized with PHA-Web immediately when an inspection has been completed and checked in. Property management is integrated with financial management to provide information for tenant work order billing.

Better Software, Better Service... PHA-Web

Highlights

PHA-Web Component Integration

Welcome Screen

Fun Fact

Over 240 housing authorities use PHA-Web.