4 hires saved through automation, admin virtually eliminated with Alto, and team freed up to do more productive work
After a long and successful corporate career, Anthony Stankard founded Reside Manchester in 2013 to bring something different to the city’s property scene. He wanted a people-first agency that put client experience at the heart of every interaction and that meant rethinking how operations worked behind the scenes.
“We didn’t want to be just another estate agent,” Anthony says. “We wanted a business where every client felt known, every interaction felt sharp, and nothing got lost in the cracks.”
As the agency grew – expanding from residential sales and lettings into build-to-rent and new developments – the cracks began to show. Disconnected systems meant the team were juggling multiple platforms for sales, lettings and accounting. That made day-to-day operations slow, and collaboration harder than it needed to be.
“There were times we’d be flicking between systems, checking one set of records against another. It just wasn’t sustainable. We were growing, but the tech stack wasn’t growing with us.”
From fragmentation to focus
The turning point came in 2018, when Anthony made the decision to move the entire operation onto Alto. The goal was to unify everything: sales, lettings, property management and client accounting, under one roof.
“We looked at a lot of options, but Alto was the only one that genuinely did everything. It gave us that single source of truth. It felt like clarity.”
The migration process was smooth and carefully timed to avoid disruption. Alto’s team helped Reside make the switch during a quieter period, ensuring a clean transition without losing momentum.
Even more valuable than the unified system was Alto’s cloud-based flexibility. During site visits, client meetings or even lockdowns, the team could stay productive wherever they were.
“Before Alto, working remotely was a struggle. Now it’s just part of how we operate. Whether someone’s in the office or on-site at a development, they’ve got everything they need.”
Over 160 Hours saved per month, with no sacrifices
The biggest operational change came in the accounts department. Landlord payments and reconciliations that once took the equivalent of 40 hours per week are now handled with ease.
- Automated client accounting – Landlord payments, statements and reconciliations are generated with minimal manual input
- Centralised operations – Sales, lettings and accounting all live in one platform, reducing admin and speeding up internal collaboration
- Faster onboarding – New team members learn Alto quickly, thanks to its intuitive interface and clear workflows
“Before Alto, our accounting process was so manual. It took up days, even. Now it just works. It’s transformed our back office.”
The change has also impacted client experience. With everything in one place, any team member can handle initial enquiries, provide accurate updates and build trust from the first call.
“When a client phones up, we’re not saying, ‘Hang on while I check another system.’ We’ve already got what we need in front of us. That immediacy makes a difference.”
What Reside learnt on the way
Anthony believes too many agencies put up with fragmented systems for too long – often because the idea of migrating feels overwhelming. His advice is simple: don’t delay.
“If you want to grow, your systems have to support you. Alto didn’t just improve how we work – it changed what we’re capable of.”
His top takeaways?
- Unify your tools – One integrated system cuts confusion and boosts collaboration
- Don’t underestimate onboarding – A simple, user-friendly platform means new hires become productive faster
- Go cloud-first – Flexible access keeps performance high, even when teams are on the move
About Reside Manchester
Founded in 2013, Reside Manchester is an independent estate agency offering residential sales, lettings, property management and new homes across Manchester city centre. Known for its people-first approach, the agency has grown steadily into the build-to-rent and development space, driven by local insight and exceptional service. Reside has been an Alto customer since 2018.
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