ARGUS donates commercial real estate software to Clemson

CLEMSON, SC – December 8, 2008 – ARGUS Software Inc. has donated two commercial real estate-software packages to Clemson University’s Master of Real Estate Development program, a gift valued at $500,000.

The two packages are designed to help manage commercial real estate by analyzing existing or potential real estate properties and determining how much cash flow those buildings will generate. Users can play “what if” games and manipulate certain variables to see how those changes will affect the future value of the properties.

The two programs include ARGUS Valuation DCF and ARGUS Developer. Valuation DCF is designed for existing properties, while Developer is intended for large-scale development projects that may take years to complete.

The software is designed for properties such as shopping centers, office buildings, industrial buildings, apartments, hotels, resorts and mixed-use developments. This resource is used by developers and contractors, as well as banks and lending institutions involved in real estate investment.

The software is available in any Clemson Computing and Information Technology lab. Graduate students enrolled in the Masters in Real Estate Development program will be required to use the software, but undergraduate students are encouraged to use it as well, particularly students in the College of Business and Behavioral Science.

Nicole Boyer, a graduate student in the Master of Real Estate Development program (foreground), navigates ARGUS with Elaine Worzala, interim chairwoman of the department of planning and landscapr architecture. 

Being able to use this kind of software is becoming a major differentiation factor in the real estate-employment sector. If you do not have the skill set you will be automatically taken out of consideration for a job within the commercial real estate sector in most major markets,” said Elaine Worzala, interim chairwoman of the department of planning and landscape architecture. “It is a major tool for our students to have in their tool box when they graduate, and we are thrilled that ARGUS is willing to make the two software packages available to our students.”

The license agreement will last one year, after which Clemson University may apply again. The agreement permits access to the software for 50 students at a time. 

ARGUS Software Inc. is an international software company headquartered in Houston that provides commercial real estate software for developers, contractors, advisors, brokers and financial institutions.