From Questions to Co-Pilots: How “Agentic User Interfaces” and Cloud Technology Can Help Your Resort
In a recent conversation for TimeSharing Today, Publisher Shep Altshuler sat down with Mike Pnematicatos, CEO of Merlin Software, to talk about a phrase that’s starting to surface more often in technology circles: Agentic User Interfaces. The discussion quickly moved beyond buzzwords to what this next wave of AI could actually mean for legacy timeshare resorts, HOAs, and management companies already running on Merlin’s cloud-based platform.
Explaining, Mike continued: “We’re moving from systems with familiar ‘module and menu’ user interfaces to, literally, blank screens which will allow users to ‘talk to the software’ using natural language prompts. These new agentic user interfaces will revolutionize how we interact with software and the underlying database.”
Real-World Resort Scenarios
Altshuler asked what that could look like in a real resort environment, not a lab.
Mike didn’t hesitate. “Let’s take a straightforward example: delinquent accounts,” he said. “Today, your team might pull a report from your software, export it, filter it, draft messages, and then decide who needs a phone call versus an email. With an Agentic UI, and using natural language prompt, you could tell the system, ‘Here are our parameters. Identify the at-risk accounts, propose a communication plan, and prepare the drafts for review.’ You’re still in control—but a lot of the repetitive work is handled for you.”
He stressed that this doesn’t mean an AI agent runs collections or makes decisions on behalf of the board. Instead, it does the heavy lifting: gathering the information, sorting it according to rules you set, and presenting a clear starting point for staff or management.
“Boards are rightly cautious about anything that sounds like automation taking over,” Mike added. “Agentic UI is not about replacing your general manager. It’s about giving them a smarter toolkit.”
Why This Matters Now
The conversation turned to why this matters now, especially for U.S. resorts that may feel distant from European regulations or Silicon Valley trends.
“Staffing is tight, expectations are high, and your data isn’t getting any simpler,” Mike said. “Owners expect timely communication. Guests expect smooth operations. Regulators and auditors expect accurate records and clear processes. Agentic UI is one of the ways we can help resorts do more without burning out the people who make everything work.”
He pointed out that many boards are already asking for better dashboards, cleaner reporting, and more consistent follow-through on key tasks. Agentic-style tools are a natural extension of those requests.
“When your information lives in one integrated, cloud-based system—sales, reservations, HOA accounts, owner details, rentals—then an agent can see the full picture,” he explained. “That’s why we invested so early in a true browser-based, front-to-back office platform. The coming Agentic UI revolution builds on that foundation.”
Innovation with Reliability
Altshuler noted that some board members are skeptical of new tech because they’ve seen “the next big thing” come and go. He asked how Merlin balances innovation with the day-to-day reliability resorts depend on.
“That’s the key question,” Mike replied. “At Merlin, our first responsibility is to keep your operation running smoothly: accurate owner records, reliable reservations, solid accounting, secure access. Agentic UI doesn’t replace that. It sits on top of it.”
He drew a comparison to adding a highly capable assistant to a well-run office versus dropping one into chaos.
“If your data is scattered across spreadsheets, stand-alone systems, and paper files, an AI agent has no chance,” he said. “But if your resort is already centralized on Merlin, then an Agentic UI can safely plug into that environment and help with tasks like summarizing performance, prioritizing follow-ups, or spotting unusual patterns.”
Security and control remain front and center for his team.
“Everything starts with clear permissions and roles,” Mike emphasized. “An AI Agent should never have more access than the people it’s supporting. And it should always work within the rules the board and management agree on. That’s how we think about it inside Merlin’s architecture.”
Getting Ready for Agentic UI
Altshuler then asked what board members and property managers should be doing today if they want to be ready for this next phase.
“You don’t need to become an AI engineer,” Mike said with a smile. “But you do need to get your house in order.”
He suggested a practical way to start—not as a formal checklist, but as a mindset.
“First, make sure your core systems are modern, cloud-based, and crucially, … integrated. Second, look honestly at where your team spends time on repetitive tasks: reporting, owner communication, follow-ups, reconciliation. Those are the areas where an Agentic UI can add value. Third, start a conversation with your technology partners about how they see AI evolving and what that might mean for your resort.”
From his perspective, the goal isn’t to chase the latest acronym but to position the resort for the future.
“Agentic UI is simply the next step in using technology to support people,” he said. “If we do it right, your team feels more capable, owners feel better informed, your managers feel less overwhelmed, and your board gets clearer insight with less manual effort.”
Looking Ahead with Merlin
As the interview wrapped up, Altshuler asked how Merlin’s clients should think about timing.
“It’s not a light switch,” Mike replied. “It’s a journey. The important thing is that you’re not standing still. If you’re already on Merlin, you’re on a platform that was built to evolve. If you’re not, and you’re rethinking your systems, this is exactly the moment to consider where Agentic UI fits into your long-term strategy.”
He left board members and managers with a straightforward invitation.
“If your resort is reviewing technology, or you’re simply curious about the future and how Agentic UI could one day support your operations, then talk to us,” he said. “And if you are looking at cloud-based platforms, which you should be, then we’re happy to walk through real examples, listen to your concerns, and help you map out what makes sense for your community.”
For timeshare HOAs and property managers looking ahead, the message was clear: agentic-style AI is on the horizon, but its value will depend on the strength of the systems already in place—and Merlin intends to be at the center of that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Agentic User Interfaces and Cloud Technology
1. What exactly is an “Agentic User Interface,” and how is it different from existing AI chatbots or automation tools?
An Agentic User Interface moves beyond the simple, fixed commands of a traditional chatbot. It’s a blank screen where the user interacts with the software via natural-language prompts, similar to “talking to the software.”
The key difference is its ability to perform multi-step, complex tasks requiring it to gather and organize information across the entire database, not just one module. It acts as a smart assistant by proposing a clear starting point for a manager, like identifying delinquent accounts and drafting communications, rather than requiring the manager to manually run, export, and filter multiple reports.
2. The article mentions delinquent accounts; what is the key difference in that workflow using an Agentic UI versus today’s system?
In today’s system, a manager must manually:
- Pull a report of delinquent accounts.
- Export the data to a spreadsheet.
- Filter and analyze the data to identify at-risk accounts.
- Draft individual messages or call lists.
With an Agentic UI, the manager sets the parameters and tells the system: “Identify the at-risk accounts, propose a communication plan, and prepare the drafts for review.” The system handles the repetitive, heavy lifting of data gathering and communication preparation, allowing the manager to maintain control and review and send the drafts.
3. Why must a resort’s system be “integrated” and “cloud-based” to benefit from Agentic UI?
An integrated, cloud-based system provides the necessary single, unified data foundation.
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Integration: The Agentic UI needs to see the “full picture” of an owner (sales history, reservation status, HOA account balance, rental activity) to make smart suggestions. This is only possible if all data lives in one integrated system (like Merlin CORE). If data is scattered across separate spreadsheets and stand-alone programs, the Agentic UI cannot gather the information.
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Cloud-Based: Cloud technology ensures the platform is modern, scalable, and secure, enabling the AI agent to operate reliably. Legacy systems cannot support the speed and complexity required for Agentic processing.
