Strip centers are also evaluating these technologies to help decide how to allocate the common area maintenance charges to tenants. Data from these areas can tell landlords if they have the correct allocation of charges or if they need to reevaluate them on lease renewal.

"In a 300,000-square-foot center with a Home Depot, Publix or something of that sort, who is actually generating most of the expenses?" Shaffer says.

Some strip centers and malls are starting to put up sensors to check foot traffic and utilities. "Things like electricity and utilities are monitored on a per suite and per-tenant basis," Shaffer says. "You can see who's using them at what times and adjust accordingly."

This technology is also forcing other changes. "The role is changing pretty dynamically on the property management side," Shaffer says. "It is more about doing capital projects to help position the retail center. It's no longer just sitting in the background and handling anything that comes up, although that's still a part of it. They have to be much more dynamic."

Shaffer sees more landlords adopting these technologies over the next five to 10 years. "A lot of technology can be used to streamline the process. There will probably be a reduction in the property management sector in office, retail and industrial," Shaffer says.

As this technology is adopted, the skills needed to maintain these buildings also change. "You will still have maintenance tech, and they'll be able to handle five properties," Shaffer says. "But the majority of the hires will be people that can make effective decisions and conduct analyses on the data that's being presented to them through these management platforms," Shaffer says.