Self Storage Software

Self-storage organizations provide storage units—such as rooms, containers, lockers and warehouses—on short-term leases, typically on a weekly or monthly basis. The usual clients of self-storage businesses are individuals and businesses, such as retailers, importers, exporters, truckers and manufacturers. By charging a nominal rent, self-storage companies provide additional services, such as insurance cover, biometric access, video surveillance, climate control and personal guards.

Self-storage facilities have unique needs that set them apart from other types of property management. Gate access integration, additional sources of revenue, such as equipment rentals and merchandise sales, as well as online reservations are just a few of the elements a self-storage property manager would need to consider when selecting software. Managing the complexities of a self-storage business is time consuming and frustrating for many property managers. To avoid adding complexities to their business, executives should look for a self-storage solution that reduces human effort and, in turn, improves efficiency.

What is Self-Storage Management Software?

Self-storage management software is used by both single- and multi-property managers. It enables them to view facility maps, facilitate electronic signatures and manage payments. In addition, advanced systems provide additional capabilities to users by integrating with customer relationship management (CRM), accounting and work management solutions. Furthermore, various software providers are offering business intelligence tools for data analysis and visualization.

This buyer’s guide will be a starting point for you to understand self-storage software. The following areas are covered in this guide:

Common Features of Self-Storage Property Management Software
Benefits of Self-Storage Property Management Software
Deployment Options

Common Features of Self-Storage Property Management Software

Benefits of Self-Storage Property Management Software

Self-storage solutions not only help address challenges for storage unit owners, they also assist in achieving business goals, such as increasing revenue and process efficiency. Business owners can take advantage of the following benefits by using self-storage software:

Automate manual overhead tasks: The software allows property managers to automate manual tasks, such as billing and invoicing, sending payment reminders, sending move in/out notifications and generating reports. Additionally, self-storage software enables property owners to generate auction letters, rent agreements and notices. Property managers can also communicate any rent increases to clients with ease.

Monitor business performance: Self-storage solutions provide business intelligence and reporting functionality to users in order to help them monitor key performance metrics for their rental business. With up-to-date reports, property owners can address challenges and take corrective action in real time.

Enable customer self-service: The solution enables tenants to easily review available storage units with the help of a facility map. With a tenant portal, clients can check dues, customize storage plans, add additional services and view their documents. In addition, they can check their payment due dates and total amounts.

Facilitate digital payments: Self-storage software facilitates credit card, digital wallet and net banking transactions, which increases convenience for both the property owner and the tenant. In addition, advanced solutions also assist in bank reconciliations and tax calculations to help prevent errors during annual tax computations. Thus, software vendors are partnering with banks to integrate payments with their business accounts.

Access from remote location: Advanced solutions are offering mobile applications that enable remote access from any mobile device. The functionality enables property managers and tenants to subscribe a storage unit’s services on-the-go. In addition, the software helps clients locate the nearest storage units that are available based on their requirements.

Manage multiple facilities: Self-storage businesses operate in a number of locations with different storage units. The availability of these units keeps on changing due to the short-term demand of these spaces. Therefore, tracking every unit’s availability becomes tedious for property managers. The software creates facility maps that visualize available and occupied spaces to help prevent errors and thus, maximize revenue.

Deployment Options

Property owners should first discuss all available options in the market with their stakeholders before purchasing a solution. One of the most important considerations before finalizing is the deployment mode of the software. Here are the two most common deployment modes:

On-premise: An on-premise solution is installed on the computer and requires local infrastructure to support it. The software involves a one-time investment, but proves to be cost effective in the long term. However, on-premise deployments reduce a company’s agility and increase infrastructure requirements.

Cloud: Software deployed on the cloud enable users to access it via the internet without requiring specialized infrastructure. Cloud services are usually available on subscription basis in fixed interval billing periods. In the long run,cloud deployment reduces capital investment and companies incur only operational expenses, which further offers agility to the infrastructure. Overall, the entire software industry is gradually moving towards the cloud-based solutions.