Being Tech Savvy In A Self-Storage World

Managers and owners of self-storage facilities absolutely need to be utilizing cutting edge technology for the day-to-day operations of their businesses.   They should be able to competently navigate their facility’s management software; and if need be, revamp their websites for more effective search engine optimization (SEO), and even experiment with pay-per-click advertising as well as blogs, articles and tips for consumers. 

We live in a time where patrons are drawn to automation; and as a result, they want what they want, when they want it.  If you’ve never used any kind of industry-specific software and choose to, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

Let’s take a look at a few featured highlights of different software packages to get an idea of how  software can literally help run the business.  And ironically, one will find that while software will most certainly enhance one’s business and increase its growth, it will ironically reduce the manager’s or  owner’s work load!

Software Empowers Renters:

Potential renters will feel immediately empowered to do business with a self-storage facility since those customers can complete the rental process in, literally, a few minutes.  The software enables a payment to be made, provides an electronic storage agreement which is sent by email; and the manager receives  copies of all the correspondence sent to the customer. 

Software Increases Income:

A facility’s income can be increased by thousands of dollars a month by reducing such things as discounts, concessions and waived fees.   When storage-specific software provides on-demand financial analysis and auditing, it can deliver a more complete picture of the business.   Tenant-by-tenant analysis, for example, will determine how much, and when, to raise each tenant’s rent to boost the facility’s income.

Software Provides Instant Confirmation:

User-friendly, self-storage software caters to the facility’s owners and managers  by keeping records of tenants, income, occupancy, late fees, unit status, expenses, balance sheets, tax accounting and a myriad of other important business logistics. 

An ‘aerial’ feature allows operators to monitor a color-coded map representing the actual facility; and each color represents the status of every unit.  With a single click, unit information is instantly revealed concerning rate, size, tenant name, payment status and current balance.  Additionally, any adjustments can be made to any unit’s status, on the spot.

Software Offers Convenience:

Common operational tasks can be impressively steam-lined through automated billing and delinquency, detailed reporting and instant access to real-time data for all facilities in various locations.

Current customers can manage their accounts and pay bills on line; and prospective tenants can view real-time unit availability and reserve a unit via the facility’s website. While on-line, one can view locations regarding the office, keypads, elevators and restrooms. 

Software Equips Employees:

Since you can’t be the all-seeing, all-present element of your business 100% of the time, self-storage software can manage the rental counter and equip employees to provide exceptional customer service.  On one single screen, every piece of information any employee might need to know, is clearly displayed.  None of the data can be overlooked or forgotten and icons and color-coding reveal the exact status of any, and every, account.  Charges, payments, bad checks, notices, rent raises, and other information is readily available.

When multiple facilities exist, graphic overviews provide an instant display of how each facility is operating, how each location compares with other sites and what needs attention and what is running smoothly.  Ten different performance areas are scrutinized; and each site gets a ‘report card’ with color-coded flags using three levels of assessment:  ‘action needed’ (red), ‘be on the alert’ (yellow), and ‘all is well’ (green).

Technology continues to be a strong emphasis within K. Carlson’s authoring in Nebraska.  From storage facilities to real estate, she has truly shined a light on the ubiquitous nature of innovation.