Preiss X IRIS Technologies Wins Two 2026 Student Housing Business Innovator Awards for Mobile Wallet Innovation

Company’ s Multi-Year Mobile Wallet Initiative Recognized for “Best Vendor/Operator Solution” and “Best-In-House Management Innovation,” Adding to Growing List of 2026 Accolades

RALEIGH, N.C. — MAY 8, 2026 — Preiss, one of the nation’s largest privately-held student housing owner-operators, and IRIS Technologies, a leading provider of integrated property technology solutions, are proud to announce their joint victory at the 2026 Student Housing Business Innovator Awards. The partnership was honored in two distinct categories: Best Vendor/Operator Solution and Best In-House Management Innovation. These awards recognize the Preiss x IRIS Mobile Wallet Experience, a transformative initiative representing a fundamental shift in how access is delivered and managed in student housing. These awards join an expanding list of 2026 company and individual leadership honors, reinforcing what has already been a year of unprecedented recognition for both companies. 

“This dual win for both Preiss and IRIS Technologies validates our belief that the best innovations are born from deep, disciplined collaboration,” said Whitney Kidd, SVP of Innovation. “Winning these awards reinforces the success we’re seen across the portfolio this year and demonstrates how strategic partnership can turn complex operational challenges into competitive advantages.”

A New Benchmark for Student Housing Access

Developed over a three-year period, the Mobile Wallet Experience was intentionally designed to eliminate friction for residents while materially improving operational performance at scale. As the first off-campus student housing communities in the country to utilize native mobile wallet access at scale, Preiss and IRIS have set a new benchmark for the industry. Residents can now unlock unit doors, bedrooms, and shared amenities using Apple Wallet and Google Wallet on their phones or wearables. This solution features “tap-to-access” capabilities that function even when devices are offline or battery-constrained.

Measurable Operational and Financial Impact

The collaboration’s impact is both operational and financial, delivering immediate results across the portfolio:

• 38% Reduction in Call Volume: Participating communities saw a dramatic decrease in access-related calls and after-hours lockouts.

• $698,000 Annual NOI Lift: Across 9 communities and approximately 5,000 beds, the initiative drives significant value through technology fees and reductions in labor and maintenance expenses.

• Seamless Integration: The deployment integrates with Entrata, aligning access permissions with real-time lease data and operational workflows.

Strategic Collaboration with Tech Giants

A defining milestone of the project was an exclusive Apple Summit hosted by Preiss and IRIS at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, California. The summit provided Apple with direct insight into student housing operations, positioning the sector as an active voice in shaping the future of mobile access roadmaps. The initiative was delivered through close collaboration with partners including Apple, Google, Quext, and Allegion, with IRIS serving as the connective layer between strategy, technology, and execution.