Why automation is the future of self storage

The newest facility in the Fort Knox Melbourne portfolio, in Braybrook west of Melbourne, showcases the latest Nokē Smart Entry solutions in action. All gates, doors and locks in this state-of-the-art facility are controlled through their branded smartphone app.

The newest facility in the Fort Knox Melbourne portfolio, in Braybrook west of Melbourne, showcases the latest Nokē Smart Entry solutions in action. All gates, doors and locks in this state-of-the-art facility are controlled through their branded smartphone app.

One of the most compelling reasons to automate your facility is the convenience factor for tenants. Consumers can do almost anything online these days, whether it be grocery shopping, paying bills, or ordering their morning coffee. People now expect this type of automation at the businesses they go to, so why shouldn’t they have the same experience at their self storage unit? Letting tenants rent, open, and even request to move out of their unit from their smartphone gives them the everyday convenience they are used to.

Choosing to go with a fully automated self storage facility can significantly help you reduce overhead costs. For one, you reduce daily office hours because there doesn’t need to be a manager on-site full time, which lowers payroll costs. Since there are fewer onsite employees, there doesn’t necessarily need to be a large office or bathroom for workers either. This leaves you with more rentable area, which can be used to add more storage units and increase your revenue.

A major upside to having a completely automated facility is that you don’t have to be on site. Gone are the days when you couldn’t have a much needed vacation and keep your store open at the same time. All your tenants need is a smartphone and Bluetooth connection to access their unit. Because most automated facilities use cloud-based applications, there’s no need to come into the office to manually lock someone out of their unit if they are delayed with payments. Now, your integrated property management software combined with your electronic locks can automatically revoke access to the unit, gate, and any other access point until the bill is paid.

Unmanned facilities are traditionally thought to have more break-ins than a conventional self storage facility, however self storage smart entry systems have changed this. Unit doors are locked using an electronic lock, making them virtually impossible to break in to. While tailgating to get into a facility could still occur, the use of electronic locks and motion sensors ensures that a potential intruder isn’t able to gain access to the units. Tenants can access gates, entry doors, and lifts using their Bluetooth enabled device. With a Smart Entry system, you can ensure the best possible self storage security and you might benefit from lower insurance costs too.