In January we asked whether staying off-cloud was still right for your Propman set-up. Since then, many of you have told us the same thing: you understand the case for cloud, but you want to know whether now is the right time, and what the move actually involves.
This guide is for exactly that stage. It sets out an honest comparison, the signs that it is time to move, the reasons it might make sense to wait, and what a well-planned migration looks like.
On-premise has served many property firms well for years. The question is not whether it works, but whether it is still the best use of your money, time and risk appetite.
| On-premise Propman |
Propman in the Cloud |
|
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost |
Server hardware, licences and refresh every few years |
No hardware to buy; predictable subscription |
| Ongoing IT effort |
Your team or IT provider manages servers, patches and backups |
Updates and backups handled for you |
| Security |
Depends on your own controls, monitoring and expertise |
Hosted on UK-based AWS servers, fully encrypted, with CrowdStrike and Rapid7 threat detection |
| Access |
Usually office-based or via VPN |
Secure access from any internet connection |
| Updates and new features |
Applied when your team schedules them |
Delivered as part of the service |
| Scaling |
New buildings or staff may mean new hardware |
Scales with your portfolio |
| Control |
Full physical control of the server |
Managed environment, with Grosvenor Systems accountable for it |
There are good reasons to pause, but most are about timing rather than the decision itself.
Three things are converging. Propman's development is now centred on the cloud, so cloud users get enhancements first. Regulation is moving fast, with tax, tenancy and leasehold changes all landing in 2026 and 2027. And the next Budget on 28 October may bring more changes that need system updates. The less time your team spends maintaining servers, the more time it can spend responding to change.
We have already moved nearly 50 clients from on-premise Propman to the cloud, as a planned step rather than a rushed one.
The firms that get the most from the move treat it as a business decision, not just an IT project. Avoid comparing only this year's costs, as hardware refreshes, security tools and staff time all add up over three to five years. And involve your finance and property teams early, as they know which reports and processes matter most.
Moving to the cloud does not need to start with a commitment. Start with a conversation about your current set-up, or take our free cloud assessment to understand your timing, dependencies and options.
Visit the Cloud Hub and take the free cloud assessment