Mini storage may seem like a low-tech market: you rent a unit, they give you some keys, and you store stuff in it. This view is partly true; storage is pretty straightforward for the consumer. But modern storage facilities have lots of technological concerns: record-keeping, marketing and security.
Inside Self Storage suggests that storage facility owners should take advantage of video calling and cloud data: “Self storage operators use a lot of forms that are all typically printed and stored in filing cabinets at the property. A simple-to-use, cloud-based document-management service could help operators save money, run a more green business, and have a better handle on lease agreements.”
Wine storage facilities provide tenants with a wine inventory management system, which would also work for standard storage units. Tenants who store antiques or collectibles could create a record of everything in their unit and maintain it in cooperation with the facility to better track their unit’s contents.
With stories about storage unit break-ins common, the investment in security surveillance is a high priority for many owners. New facility construction has slowed due to the economy, which has many facility owners focusing on improving their facilities. Surveillance technology has improved a lot in recent years. IP-based surveillance technology removes the need for physical tapes. Digital cameras give a clearer view of areas, which can be important among the tight rows of a storage facility. High-quality video makes it easier to identify people and objects. Motion detectors that detect infrared energy are also popular among storage facilities. The detectors can alert facility managers if someone is on site after access hours. High-end facilities sometimes use biometric tools like fingerprint readers in place of security codes at tenant access points. They could expand to multi-biometric scanning in the future.
Finally, storage facilities have come to understand how many of their customers are finding them: through online directories. There are so many facilities in any given city that it can be hard to choose between them, and customers are increasingly going online to find their storage units. Being listed on a facility directory like StorageFront goes a long way for mini storage facilities, giving them a direct line to potential customers. Storage listings let consumers filter results by location and amenities, making it easy for storage facilities to find new tenants.
