--- title: The Lessen Edge | Blog | Cindy Kaplan description: Stay on the cutting-edge of facilities maintenance with the latest industry trends, tips and company updates from Lessen. --- - [Become an SMS Affiliate](http://www.smsassist.com/step-1-sign-up/) - [Affiliates Login](http://affiliate.marketplacesupport.com/) - [Client Login](http://client.marketplacesupport.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.smsassist.com/blog) - 312.698.7000 - [info@smsassist.com](mailto:info@smsassist.com) - 312.698.7000 - [info@smsassist.com](mailto:info@smsassist.com) [![SMS Assist](https://blog.lessen.com/hubfs/smsassist-may16/images/190b7432eea647c49b4d5b3a46f871b9.png "SMS Assist")](http://smsassist.spacecrafted.com/) - Our Solution - [The SMS Advantage](http://www.smsassist.com/the-sms-advantage) - [One By SMS Assist](http://www.smsassist.com/one-by-sms-assist) - [Markets Served](http://www.smsassist.com/markets-served) - [Case Studies](http://www.smsassist.com/case-studies) - Services - [Exterior Maintenance](http://www.smsassist.com/exterior-maintenance) - [Facilities Maintenance](http://http://www.smsassist.com/facilities-maintenance) - [Interior Maintenance](http://www.smsassist.com/interior-maintenance) - [Property Management Services](http://www.smsassist.com/property-management-services) - [Residential Property](http://www.smsassist.com/residential-property) - Affiliate - [Affiliate Advantage](http://www.smsassist.com/affiliate-advantage) - [Affiliate Sign Up](http://www.smsassist.com/affiliate-sign-up) - [Testimonials](http://www.smsassist.com/testimonials) - [Our Commitments](http://www.smsassist.com/our-commitments) - [FAQ](http://http://www.smsassist.com/faq) - [Affiliate Blog](https://blog.smsassist.com/affiliate-blog) - About Us - [Corporate Overview](http://www.smsassist.com/corporate-overview) - [SMS Serves](http://www.smsassist.com/sms-serves) - [SMS University](http://http://www.smsassist.com/sms-university) - [Contact](http://www.smsassist.com/contact) - Our Team - [Executive Team](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/executive-team) - [Board Of Directors](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/board-of-directors) - [Investors & Advisors](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/investors-advisors) - [Equity Partners](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/equity-partners) - Careers - [Why SMS?](http://www.smsassist.com/why-sms-assist) - [Available Positions](http://www.smsassist.com/available-positions) - Media - [News](http://www.smsassist.com/news) - [Events](http://www.smsassist.com/events) - [Video Gallery](http://www.smsassist.com/video-gallery) - [Blog](https://blog.smsassist.com/blog) - Demo ![SMSAssistEdge.png](https://blog.lessen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SMSAssistEdge.png?width=1899&name=SMSAssistEdge.png "SMSAssistEdge.png") # Lessen | Blog ## Cindy Kaplan ![](https://blog.lessen.com/hubfs/Cindy.jpg) ### Recent Posts ## [What Retailers Need to Know About Switching to All LED Lighting](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/what-retailers-need-to-know-about-switching-to-all-led-lighting) Posted by [Cindy Kaplan](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/author/cindy-kaplan) on 4/12/17 4:38 PM [![](https://blog.lessen.com/hubfs/Blog%20Header%20-%20What%20Retailers%20Need%20to%20Know%20About%20Switching%20to%20All%20LED%20Lighting.jpg)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/what-retailers-need-to-know-about-switching-to-all-led-lighting) For the average person, lighting is no big deal. Flip a switch. Change a burnt out bulb. That's about it. It's a completely different story for retailers, where lighting literally sets the stage, the mood, and even focuses customer attention on predetermined locations and products. [Read More](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/what-retailers-need-to-know-about-switching-to-all-led-lighting) ## [Internet of Things: Retail’s Newest Watchdog](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/internet-of-things-retails-newest-watchdog) Posted by [Cindy Kaplan](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/author/cindy-kaplan) on 3/15/17 10:22 AM [![](https://blog.lessen.com/hubfs/03-Mar%2014%20-%20Blog%20Banner%20.jpg)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/internet-of-things-retails-newest-watchdog) The Internet of Things is transforming the in-store experience. From smart thermostats that improve energy use, to smart shelves that detect low inventory, the entire retail experience is going through a transformation. These upcoming advances in technology can also help mitigate risk down the road. [Read More](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/internet-of-things-retails-newest-watchdog) ## [No One Remembers Clicking a Buy Button: Why Online Shopping Can’t Beat an In-Store Experience](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/facilities-maintenance-perspective-why-brick-and-mortar-has-plenty-of-fight-left-in-it) Posted by [Cindy Kaplan](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/author/cindy-kaplan) on 2/14/17 4:16 PM [![](https://blog.lessen.com/hubfs/Facilities%20Maintenance%20Perspective%20-%20Blog%20Banner.jpg)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/facilities-maintenance-perspective-why-brick-and-mortar-has-plenty-of-fight-left-in-it) Digital shopping is only part of the average buyer's journey. The physical retail environment is still going strong, which is why so many brands maintain retail buildings and some online-only retailers are now opening brick-and-mortar stores. [Read More](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/facilities-maintenance-perspective-why-brick-and-mortar-has-plenty-of-fight-left-in-it) ## [Top Challenges for Single-Family Rental (SFR) Property Management Programs in 2017](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/top-challenges-for-single-family-rentals-sfr-property-management-programs-in-2017) Posted by [Cindy Kaplan](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/author/cindy-kaplan) on 1/19/17 2:31 PM [![](https://blog.lessen.com/hubfs/Blogheader%20-%20Making%20Your%20SFR.jpg)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/top-challenges-for-single-family-rentals-sfr-property-management-programs-in-2017) --- Over the last few years, investing in Single-Family Rentals has been a great opportunity for many institutional investors, but at the same time, the nature of the SFRs and characteristics of its residents provide unique challenges, especially from the property maintenance perspective. Here are the top three facilities maintenance challenges for an SFR portfolio to consider this year: [Read More](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/top-challenges-for-single-family-rentals-sfr-property-management-programs-in-2017) [All posts](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Facilities (15)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/facilities) - [Retail (13)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/retail) - [Finance (9)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/finance) - [About SMS (7)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/about-sms) - [Efficiencies (5)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/efficiencies) - [Parking Lots (5)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/parking-lots) - [Restaurant (5)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/restaurant) - [Snow Removal (4)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/snow-removal) - [Data (3)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/data) - [Exterior Services (3)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/exterior-services) - [Landscaping (3)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/landscaping) - [Operational Costs (3)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/operational-costs) - [Preventative Maintenance (3)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/preventative-maintenance) - [Trends (3)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/trends) - [Awards (2)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/awards) - [Conferences (2)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/conferences) - [Facilities Maintenance (2)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/facilities-maintenance) - [Residential (2)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/residential) - [Technology (2)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/technology) - [Affiliate Network (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/affiliate-network) - [Affiliate Spotlight (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/affiliate-spotlight) - [Facilities Management (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/facilities-management) - [Funding (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/funding) - [HVAC (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/hvac) - [Hiring (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/hiring) - [LED Lighting (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/led-lighting) - [Leadership (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [PRSM (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/prsm) - [Risk Mitigation (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/risk-mitigation) - [Thought Leadership (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/thought-leadership) - [Total Cost of Ownership (1)](https://blog.lessen.com/blog/topic/total-cost-of-ownership) see all - OUR SOLUTION - [The SMS Advantage](http://www.smsassist.com/the-sms-advantage) - [ONE By SMS Assist](http://www.smsassist.com/one-by-sms-assist) - [Markets Served](http://www.smsassist.com/markets-served) - [Case Studies](http://www.smsassist.com/case-studies) - SERVICES - [Exterior Maintenance](http://www.smsassist.com/exterior-maintenance) - [Facilities Maintenance](http://www.smsassist.com/facilities-maintenance) - [Interior Maintenance](http://www.smsassist.com/interior-maintenance) - [Property Management Services](http://www.smsassist.com/property-management-services) - [Residential Property](http://www.smsassist.com/residential-property) - AFFILIATES - [Affiliate Advantage](http://www.smsassist.com/affiliate-advantage) - [Affiliate Sign Up](http://www.smsassist.com/affiliate-sign-up) - [Testimonials](http://www.smsassist.com/testimonials) - [Our Commitments](http://www.smsassist.com/our-commitments) - [FAQ](http://www.smsassist.com/faq) - ABOUT US - [Corporate Overview](http://www.smsassist.com/corporate-overview) - [SMS Serves](http://www.smsassist.com/sms-serves) - [SMS University](http://www.smsassist.com/sms-university) - [Contact](http://www.smsassist.com/contact) - Our Team - [Executive Team](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/executive-team) - [Board of Directors](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/board-of-directors) - [Equity Partners](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/equity-partners) - [Investors & Advisors](http://www.smsassist.com/our-team/investors-advisors) - CAREERS - [Why SMS?](http://www.smsassist.com/why-sms-assist) - [Available Positions](http://www.smsassist.com/available-positions) - MEDIA - [News](http://www.smsassist.com/news) - [Events](http://www.smsassist.com/events) - [Video Gallery](http://www.smsassist.com/video-gallery) - [Blog](https://blog.smsassist.com/blog) - - [Privacy Policy](http://www.smsassist.com/privacy-policy) - [Security Policy](http://www.smsassist.com/security-policy) - [Terms of Use](http://www.smsassist.com/terms-of-use) - [Download Brochure](https://16c0b2969faa58ae4b65-80789b7c3c0d8606a58e0cf26ee4ba6c.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/12a9c754d0204c28b15066f06ace22c2.pdf) - [Home](http://www.smsassist.com/) - [](https://www.facebook.com/smsassist/) - [](https://twitter.com/SMSAssistLLC) - [](https://vimeo.com/smsassist) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sms-assist-llc) - [](mailto:info@smsassist.com) [© 2018 SMS Assist. 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