Argus Elearning Reviews
I need to learn ARGUS, and I saw on their website that there is an ARGUS elearning program that can be purchased to learn ARGUS at your own pace and on your own schedule rather than attending a workshop.
Has anyone ever used ARGUS' elearning materials, and if so what are your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it? Thanks.
I took a course through my university that included both the online tutorials and an in person workshop with an instructor from Argus. If you are interested in learning the software without getting certified by Argus, the online tutorials would be totally fine. In my opinion the workshop is essential if you want to get certified because the instructor will focus the lessons on what you need to know for the certification test. I've heard that the pass rate on the certification test is less than 50% and the instruction is really helpful. If you opt for the online tutorial and don't pass the certification course you can still write something like "Argus trained" on your resume though. The online tutorials will give you a working knowledge for sure, though.
Hope this helps.
There are university-specific elearning courses you can take to actually get certified. My university worked out a scholarship and deal with ARGUS so I can pursue it as an independent study. Contact your university's finance/real estate department to see if they can figure something out for you.
As far as quality goes, I'm starting the first of ten lessons today and will hopefully complete the certification by the end of the week. Will keep you posted.
.
Thanks a lot econmajor and revpar. Both of your responses are really helpful. Revpar, just to make sure I understand what you're saying...through university-specific elearning courses, you can get certified by only doing 10 lessons? I assume, you then have to take the certification exam. Is that correct? Thanks a lot.
Correct. After completing the 10 elearning courses, which have separate exams in and of themselves, you must take the main certification exam. You'll also receive a "University Certification Guide" with the package to help you prep for the exam. It's roughly 350 pages. Hope that helps.
Great, thanks a lot revpar.
Update: As of 5:00AM this morning, I've completed 8 of the 10 ARGUS elearning courses and they are pretty pointless. The university package doesn't give you the actual program but provides a quasi-demo where you interact with a media player. The courses are a joke (averaging a 98.25 on all exams) and I have a feeling they will be mildly helpful for the main exam.
Also, the package comes with practice cases for ARGUS, which is only helpful if you have the program to work with. Luckily, my university does, but it is definitely something you'll want to check on before you make the purchase. I haven't had the chance to delve into the University Certification Guide just yet, but after skimming through it, it seems much more helpful.
Thanks revpar. I appreciate the update. I've actually been trying to purchase the university package, but have had trouble getting the woman at ARGUS back on the phone. Maybe it's a good thing she wasn't at her desk. I was under the impression that the actual ARGUS software came with the university certification package, but just for a limited time. I guess that's not the case.
If you don't mind, I'd appreciate hearing how the university certification guide is once you get into that. Thanks.
Hmm, wish I saw this earlier.
My advice would be to only purchase the modules that cover:
Revenues and Expenses Rent Roll Market Leasing Assumptions And know how to export into excel, which is easy as setting up a report and pressing the "Excel" button
Don't worry about the advanced features.
I would not reccomend going through the whole certification process as it will propbably be overkill and cost more. The key about Argus is that you don't need to know the program like the back of your hand, you only need to know key features and tricks that you would only learn through experience. So when employers say they're looking for candidates with Argus expereince, it usually means that they want you to have underwritten a lot of deals with Argus, not that you know the program inside and out. It's more important that you have a solid understanding in CRE finance than knowing all the features in Argus.
If you can get some kind of university deal where it comes out to be cheaper than buying those modules, by all means go for it.
Thanks mr1234. I appreciate your input.
Starting with ARGUS (Originally Posted: 10/24/2012)
My firm is just starting with Argus. Should we purchase the training package they offer so is it better just to play with the software and get comfortable with it?
I would purchase the material unless you have someone in your network (other professionals that are fluent in the software, local professor, etc..) that could come teach your team.
Quaerat omnis illum dolores ut optio voluptatem. Voluptatem optio temporibus excepturi nisi minus. Sunt quidem harum qui sapiente vel officia nihil.
Hic eos at ipsa illo nemo reprehenderit id. Excepturi in delectus architecto illum aut rerum aut ea. Dicta tenetur et voluptates magni aut et. Accusamus consectetur modi delectus reiciendis itaque.
Voluptatibus ipsa possimus repudiandae est rerum repellendus corporis aliquam. Dolorem aspernatur sit odio.
Ipsam sed rerum sunt placeat cum sint molestiae. Maxime soluta nisi sit provident. Ab quidem ut ut sed. Ut et recusandae similique dolore et aut incidunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...