The world is evolving rapidly. New and improved technologies have made our lives easy. From economic sectors to the industrial sector, the nations are progressing at a substantial rate. That is the reason why more people are gradually shifting to big cities. Whether it is for better job opportunities, education, or modern lifestyle, uncontrolled migration has taken metropolitans by storm. The cities lack resources to deal with the massive influx of more people because they do not have enough resources to accommodate them. There is a need to see improvements in self storage technology as well.
That has led to a shortage of resources like fresh air, food, and housing. With a larger number of people than the available land, houses have become smaller than ever. As a result, households have a hard time to store supplies. That is where self-storage facilities are making a huge difference. Whether you want to create more space to renovate your existing home or prepare for a move, you could utilize self-storage services for numerous purposes.
The icing on the cake is that the self-storage industry is beginning to adopt the cutting-edge technology. It will help providers improve businesses’ efficiency and cut whatever minor hurdles they and customers endured in the past.
Here is the list of prominent technological trends transforming the self-storage business:
- Biometrics
Security breaches are not uncommon for a self-storage unit. So much so, sometimes storage facilities are dubbed as the safe heave for burglars. The reason behind this is that many providers do not have sufficient security staff. To make the matter worse, they are using analog CCTV systems to save money. These outdated security cameras are only able to capture blurred footage. And thieves are more likely to get away after stealing stuff.
Customers are aware of this reality. Therefore, they make it a point to cherry-pick a self-storage unit based on how much safety it provides to their belongings. Well, customers do not have to monitor to evaluate security measures physically. All thanks to biometric technology, you can now vouch for self-storage’s robust security. Biometrics makes it nearly impossible for an unknown person to access the area as the technology can only recognize fingerprints, face, retina scans, and the respective customer’s voice.
- Mobile Apps
Not long ago, self-storage tenants were happy conventionally keeping track of storage access cards and allocated keys. But with millennials marking an uptick in the consumption of self-storage units, the industry had to develop Mobile Applications. Now customers do not need to step outside their house to maintain tight scrutiny on their items. They are just a few clicks away from meeting this objective.
Moreover, the application also allows providers to send promotional offers to their customers during optimal hours. It bears worth mentioning that people use applications primarily to get the best user experience. So, similar to other businesses, self-storage providers should take great care of updating the application frequently. The timely removal of bugs will ensure the customer experience is not compromised, thereby keeping customer loyalty intact.
- Kiosks
The popularity of kiosks has surged beyond belief lately. Going up by substantial numbers, the kiosk market is all set to touch a whopping 32.8 billion dollars by the end of 2025. The annual compound growth rate is going to be around 4.6 percent for the next five years. Observing the great acceptance of the technology in other sectors, it was just a matter of time before the self-storage industry followed suit.
From the customers’ standpoint, kiosks have taken convenience to the next level. They empower every tenant to take providers onboard and seek customized solutions 24/7. The tool paves the way for seamless communication by keeping customers up to date about the unit details. Some of the latest kiosk models also include the feature of video surveillance. Customers may also utilize the technology for payment purposes, which means you can save time by not indulging in the process manually.
- Embedding Cloud Technology In The Management Software
Conventional management software can notify a self-storage business regarding only a handful of aspects such as unit tracking and payment processing. On the other hand, cloud-oriented management software keeps track of all the nitty-gritty. For example, the owner can see marketing reports to know how the promotional campaigns are performing. If a specific marketing strategy is going off-target, one can take prompt actions to save time and money.
- Remote Monitoring
Many customers prefer climate-controlled storage spaces to preserve products like electronics, expensive equipment, antiques, fabrics, essential documents, and musical instruments. Providers usually walk the extra mile to protect climate-controlled units. Back in the day, they could not figure out rust, mold, mildew, and other hazards until it was too late. Even something as expensive as HVAC systems proved insufficient to contribute anything worthwhile.
That is where the advent of remote monitoring comes in handy. Depending on the remote monitoring system’s quality, businesses can save up to 28 percent of overhead costs.
Conclusion
It is inevitable in this era to operate a business without integrating technology in its system. And self-storage companies are no exception to that. With the introduction of advanced technologies, the self-storage business has emerged as a booming industry with exponential growth opportunities worldwide.
