Running a self-storage facility today looks a lot different than it did just 10 years ago. In the past, there were more traditionally managed facilities with "old-school" operations. These facilities had a full staff on-site to help with customer service, inventory management, leasing, marketing, software management, security, bookings, move-outs, curb appeal, paperwork, and more. These traditional operations, once the norm, have become less appealing due to the significant time, energy, and financial investments required for efficient management.

As stated above, technology has unlocked new potential in the self-storage industry. Security has never been more robust, tenant convenience is at an all-time high, and owners and operators are taking advantage of cost efficiency and maximizing revenue. While some folks enjoy the saying, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”, the self-storage industry has finally realized there’s a much more efficient way to operate, and it’s with self-storage automation.

What is a Fully Automated Self-Storage Facility?

Our world is one of constant innovation, with products and services perpetually improving. The self-storage industry is no exception, with more and more facilities embracing technology to become "smart" and streamline their operations.

Terry Bagley, in his 2021 ISS World Expo presentation, highlighted the stark contrast between low-tech and tech-savvy facilities, emphasizing the numerous advantages of the latter. While the benefits are plentiful, here are some of the most compelling:

Key Benefits of Self-Storage Automation

1. Enhanced Site Security:
   
   Traditionally managed facilities tend to use minimal technology and have significantly low security in place. While they might have a few cameras and a gate or fence, these sites are better known for their vulnerabilities than their security. Fully automated self-storage facilities, on the other hand, integrate property management software with smart tools and technology to enable more robust security solutions.
   
   Today’s leading security systems often use digital access control, smart locks, thermal motion sensors, cloud-based video surveillance, and more. These sites take advantage of instant notifications and security alerts, efficient past-event look-up, and two-way audio.
   
   
2. Seamless Onboarding:
   
   With automation, tenants can explore available units, book rentals, sign a lease, and pay their bills completely online. With their smartphone or smart device, they'll have instant access to the facility and their unit door, without ever having to speak to, or wait on, a site manager. This eliminates the inconvenience of manual move-ins and allows your facility to capture more rentals around the clock.
   
   
3. 24/7 Accessibility:
   
   Not only can you capture more rentals via automation, but tenants can use their digital access to visit your facility and their unit 24/7. With the right technology, you’ll get an automatic log of tenant activity, so you don’t have to sacrifice security when offering this benefit. Best of all, you can even charge more for 24/7 access, creating a new revenue stream for your business.
   
   
4. Remote Management:
   
   Fully automated self-storage facilities allow you to streamline operations and remotely manage your facility. No more wasting time, energy, and money manually performing lock checks, overlocks, releasing overlocked units, delinquencies, tenant move-in/outs, liens, and auctions. All of these operational tasks, and more, are performed automatically and operators can view this data and assist customers from the palm of their hand at any time.
   
   
5. Data-Driven Insights:
   
   With self-storage automation, data is constantly being collected and stored. You can use this data to identify critical trends, areas of improvement, and customer behavior to make more informed and accurate business decisions that help drive revenue. For example, you can customize your staff to be on-site during peak business hours with more tenant activity, reducing overall labor costs.

How to Get Started With Self-Storage Automation

Choosing the right property management software (PMS) is crucial for automating your self-storage facility. It's not enough to just have any software; it needs to be specifically designed for the self-storage industry and integrate seamlessly with other essential tools and technologies. This creates a powerful ecosystem where different platforms work together harmoniously, allowing you to achieve more in less time.

Think of it like a well-oiled machine, with each component playing a vital role in optimizing efficiency and productivity. We call this the Hummingbird Effect, where small changes and integrations generate a significant impact.

For example, your PMS should integrate with your:

• Access control system: This allows for automated move-ins and move-outs, granting tenants access without manual intervention.
• Website: Enable online rentals and payments, giving customers a seamless experience.
• Marketing platforms: Automate your marketing efforts and track your return on investment.
• Accounting software: Streamline your financial management and reporting.

By integrating these and other key functionalities, you create a truly automated and efficient self-storage operation. This not only saves you time and money but also enhances the tenant experience, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.

Ready to see the power of automation in action? Click below to schedule a 1:1 demo today!