Self-Storage Management System (Why Operators Need Automation Tools)

Self-storage management systems can offer the following benefits:

• Elevated renter experiences through process automation.
• Improved security with automated access control solutions.
• Streamlined billing and invoicing to ensure timely payments.

That’s just scratching the surface. With the increasing adoption of AI-powered tools, self-storage operators must embrace new digital technology to continue offering competitive experiences. In this article, we will delve into what these systems are, why automation is crucial, and the next steps for self-storage operators looking to embrace automation solutions. Let’s get started.

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Self-Storage Management Systems (What Are They?)

Self-storage management systems are platforms and tools designed to streamline the operations and management of a self-storage facility. The primary goal of these systems is to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve renter experiences by automating key processes. This can enable operators to optimize facility performance and ultimately boost profitability.

Why listen to me? I have been in the conversational AI space since 2015, with our last company getting acquired within that space. My day to day consists of speaking to operators of all sizes to understand their automation needs and wants, and see how to best help them get there. I currently am in charge of swivl's go to market strategy and am a co-host of the Self Storage Lab podcast.

Self-Storage Management Systems (Key Areas)

To improve your self-storage facility's performance, it is important to understand what to look for in self-storage management systems. These should eliminate bottlenecks in your workflows and enable your facility’s team to deliver exceptional renter experiences.

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Here are a few key areas to consider:

Tenant Management

Tenant management solutions can enable operators to keep track of tenant information, lease agreements, payment history, and communication records all in one centralized location. Some management systems also provide the ability for operators to automatically send notifications or alerts to tenants for important events, such as payment reminders or unit maintenance.

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StoragePug can develop tailor-made self-storage websites that make tenant management a breeze. Partnering with a specialist web development agency is a no-brainer for operators that want to leverage digital technology for tenant management.

Billing & Invoicing

Automated billing and invoicing solutions help operators to ensure timely and accurate payments from tenants. These tools can include features like automatic payment processing, late fee calculations, and tax management. Billing and invoicing systems for self-storage also offer integrations with popular accounting software to streamline financial management.

Access Control

An essential aspect of a self-storage management system is the ability to control who has access to the facility and individual storage units. Integrating access control with a self-storage management system can enable operators to easily grant or revoke access permissions to units, monitor facility access, and maintain detailed access logs for security.

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As end-to-end facility management software, Storable offers automated access control designed by operators for operators.

Reporting & Analytics

A reporting and analytics solution is crucial for tracking your facility's performance and making data-driven decisions. These platforms can include generating reports on occupancy rates, revenue, expenses, and customer demographics. Some systems also offer customizable dashboards and real-time analytics to help operators stay up-to-date on performance.

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Stora is a self-storage software solution that can provide operators with the necessary business insights to make data-backed decisions.

Customer Acquisition

Some self-storage management solutions offer built-in marketing tools to help attract new customers. This can include features like website templates, search engine optimization tools, and online advertising resources. These features are essential for operators looking to grow their business and attract new tenants to their facilities.

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Self-storage operators can partner with a company like Go Local Interactive to accelerate their digital marketing efforts and explore new customer acquisition channels.

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Embracing Management Systems (Next Steps For Operators)

If you are an operator looking to embrace self-storage management systems, here are some essential next steps to consider as you begin to expand your technology stack:

1 - Evaluate Your Operational Needs

You should begin by assessing your facility's needs and identifying the key areas where a management system could help streamline operations. This will help you identify the features you require and ensure that the tools and platforms you choose meet your requirements.

2 - Plan For Implementation

Take the time to develop a clear plan for implementing self-storage management systems, including a timeline, budget, and allocation of responsibilities. You must ensure that all team members are on board and understand the benefits of the new solutions.

3 - Monitor & Optimize

After implementing new self-storage management systems, continuously monitor performance and gather feedback from your team. You can use this information to optimize the solutions and make necessary adjustments to have a greater impact on customer experiences.

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We recommend taking a look through our Operator’s BluePrint to “Building an Unmanned Facility” — the all-in-one resource of all the tools accessible to an operator to run their self-storage business more effectively.

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