The self storage industry around the world has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade or so. Though this industry was initially averse to making use of advanced technology, things have changed now with more and more tech savvy millennials looking for a high-tech self storage facility. In order to reach out to these customers, the storage service providers have now started making use of the internet. Moreover, many of the latest technological advances are now utilized by the companies to provide better service to their customers. Mentioned below are the most noteworthy technological innovations in the field of self storage.
Going Online: Gone are the days when the customers used to walk all the way to a company’s store. According to the latest studies, over seventy percent of today’s consumers find the required products and services online. As a result, delivering a consistent and seamless user experience online has become extremely important for the self storage companies. Accordingly, many businesses have now started offering technology enabled facilities, such as online business listings, online inquiry and purchase facility, payment processing, and much more.
Technology for Millennials: It has been observed that a high percentage of customers for a self storage business are millennials. In order to satisfy the changing demands of today’s millennials, more and more businesses have now understood the value of digital tools, such as online move-ins, text reminders, document e-sign, gate access by phone, online bill payment, etc. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that the businesses that are not active online are almost non-existent for today’s younger customers.
Paperless Operations: The global drive to go paperless started with the goal of going green. However, paperless operations provide much more than just protecting the environment. Regardless of the nature of business, customers now expect to do almost everything using their smartphones. This may include scanning and uploading receipts, viewing invoices and bank statements, making bank transfers, sending certified emails, etc.
Therefore, going paperless is important now for the self storage service providers to remain competitive in this market. This means that the business must have the tech tools needed to be paperless, such as smartphone compatible gate software and management software that works on all types of mobile devices.
Unmanned Properties: Owing to their busy schedule, many customers find it difficult these days to deal with storage service providers that are open for just a few hours a day. In order to address this concern, many unmanned storage companies have come into existence. These facilities remain open throughout the day, and seven days a week. Unmanned facilities allow customers within the property after scanning their fingerprint, driving license, etc.
Internet of Things: This groundbreaking technology has the potential to create numerous opportunities for the self storage companies. One of its greatest benefits is predictive analytics that allows businesses to detect and solve operational challenges, by gathering and analyzing the operational data.
In simple words, IoT can be defined as an extension of the everyday objects into the world of internet. These connected objects are also referred to as ‘smart devices’ and they are capable of collecting, storing, and transmitting data. These devices form a network, and can communicate and interact amongst themselves. By making use of an API or Application Programming Interface, almost all types of equipment can be connected to an IoT network. As far as a self storage business is concerned, the owners may connect their smart locks, lighting, HVAC, intercoms, video surveillance, and much more. Once a device has been connected to the network, the business owners can monitor and control everything from a remote location.
