Many industries got criticized for being slow to embrace technology. Until recently, the self-storage sector was also one of them. But things have changed now. It is one reason why self-storage is seen as a growing industry with a steady demand despite the current economic challenges. Credible forecasts suggest that the self-storage industry will likely expand at a CAGR of 134.79 between 2020 and 2025. Here are the major technology trends that are accounting for its stability even during the ongoing pandemic:
Remote Monitoring
Security plays a critical role in self-storage businesses. The main threats to self-storage safety include theft and damages caused by constant temperature fluctuations. Hence, many self-storage operators and owners invest in expensive HVAC units to avoid these issues. But their maintenance can be difficult and time-consuming. That is where remote monitoring rolls into action. It allows owners and renters to immediately address these issues via their computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.
Remote monitoring can also effectively gauge the unit’s internal temperature and alert you if there are any problems. That way, you can take prompt action and save the items from any damage.
Cloud-Based Self-Storage Management Software
Cloud-based self-storage software is one of the major prerequisites to turn any conventional self-storage unit into a smart self storage unit. It helps self-storage business owners monitor customer activity, sales figures, and employee productivity. Unlike traditional management software, cloud-based software streamlines everyday tasks and saves time to a great degree. It improves customer experience and brings any problems to the surface that might harm the bottom line. With the help of cloud-based management software, self-storage businesses can observe the trends to determine which aspects of their marketing and services are most effective.
Kiosks
Self-storage kiosks are a hot topic in the industry. Customers can use them to manage the self-storage process from start to finish, thereby saving tenants from going to banks to pay monthly installments. These gadgets have video and audio capabilities that connect users to support personnel. So you can reach out to an expert immediately in case of confusion.
Kiosk makers know that many self-storage units are rented out to baby boomers, who tend to be less tech-savvy. Thus, they have developed a user-friendly device, which does not require you to be a tech-savvy person.
As a self-storage service provider, you must install the kiosk at the right place. We would recommend you to place it in high-traffic areas such as big restaurants, malls, and so on.
Here are some of the other things you need to consider about kiosks:
- Security: When kiosks are open to the public, they could get easily stolen or vandalized. Your kiosks should have tamper-resistant and other advanced features to discourage such acts.
- Visibility: If a kiosk device is not visible from a considerable distance, not many people will use it. You must invest in fancy lights to spice up the visibility. Also, make sure that no signboards, garment racks, or autos block the device’s view.
- Maintenance: Self-service kiosks require regular maintenance. Ideally, the kiosk’s exterior should get cleaned every week. It is similar to your bathroom, and no one will use it if it is dirty.
- Internet availability: The internet is essential for self-storage kiosks. In most cases, the local area connection is your best option. However, cellular data cards are recommended for places with poor connections.
Mobile Applications
Mobile Applications are the newest obsession of modern society. They are used to perform various tasks. Experts predict that applications will continue to grow in popularity in the foreseeable future. Well, the self-storage service providers could not ask for any better time to make their business application-oriented. Both consumers and operators can reap the many benefits of these apps. In the sections below, these benefits are briefly addressed.
- Speed: Nearly 53 percent of visitors will abandon a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Mobile applications, on the other hand, are often faster. Tenants can access a self-storage unit quickly and easily. An application can get easily updated if bugs are affecting its speed.
- Transparent communication: A vast proportion of self-storage units contains expensive items like jewelry, antique paintings, and furniture. Potential tenants should keep asking the management questions until they receive satisfactory answers.
- Additional revenue: Consumers do not mind paying more to unlock premium features. It has already been a tried and trusted formula in several industries. You can follow their suit and design a pricing structure that can prove to be financially profitable for you while enabling you to give better service to customers.
Biometric Security
Biometric security is accumulating a lot of popularity in every industry. The self-storage sector is no exception to that. Biometric security is almost impossible to break because it is virtually foolproof. It utilizes unique characteristics in the form of fingertips or facial features of each renter, ensuring robust security.
Concluding Remarks
Most people picture a storage unit as a murky room with a garage door filled with furniture, boxes, and miscellaneous junk. But, in reality, things have come a long way. The self-storage industry has improved drastically, all thanks to the technology trends mentioned above.
