Sep
26 2023

The Rise of Smart Self-Storage: How Technology is Transforming the Industry

Self-storage has been a popular option for years, giving people more ways to keep things they don't want to part with, but that might not fit in their house right now. It's also helpful when moving, to keep overflow inventory for a business, or to buy items to resell later.

Technology innovations are changing the way companies handle your storage needs, and the industry is being transformed by the rise of smart self-storage. Here's what to know about how it's affecting the future of storing items.

Smart Locks

Among the biggest smart innovations for self storage facilities are smart locks. These work off of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections, and that means you can use your phone to open your storage unit. You don't need a key, so there's no chance of losing the key or someone else having a duplicate. You also don't have to worry about using your own lock, as a lot of storage facilities used to require you to bring your own padlock for the unit you rented from them.

Security Systems

The right security system can make a big difference in the protection your items have while they're in storage. While many facilities have strong locks and good fences, smart security adds cameras, phone-based and app-based notifications, video recording, motion sensors, and much more. You'll have more peace of mind, and the storage facility will reduce their risk of loss or damage, too.

Digital Inventory Management

Knowing what's available to rent at any time is important. Not only does smart self-storage make this easier, but it also helps facilities that carry packing supplies and other products as part of their offerings. With the proper management of inventory there's no risk that a unit will show as available but actually be rented, and there's no need for the company to re-post units that become available again. It's handled automatically, so units can be re-rented efficiently.

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps are a big part of the technology innovations that have made their way to self storage facilities. These apps show what units are available, help managers track payment issue, and let renters use their phone as a key. They can also make it easy for you to communicate with the facility's management, so you can get your questions answered. Whether you're trying to rent a space or you already have one, being able to interact with questions or problems matters.

A Streamlined Experience

Streamlining the self-storage industry involves taking something that's already adding convenience to the lives of consumers all over the country and making it even easier. It used to be that you had to drive to the storage facility, find out if they had a unit and how much it cost, ask to rent it, complete a contract, go buy a lock, and more. Now, you can do everything from the company's website or app, and you'll know your unit is being monitored by high-quality security, too.

Big Benefits for the Industry

The industry is getting significant benefits from smart self-storage options, and consumers just like you are benefiting, as well. If you haven't rented a storage unit in a while, you're going to find that it's a very different experience than it was in the past. There are three main areas where the highest number of benefits can be seen.

Convenience

The industry transformation in self-storage has made renting and using a unit far more convenient. Since you can do everything online to get your unit rented, you can just show up and start moving things in. Then just use the app to pay, get in touch with management, or let them know when you'll be moving out.

Enhanced Security

Good security is a vital part of storage, because you don't want to leave your things in a place that's not safe. Rather than buy a heavy lock and hope for the best, you need a higher level of protection. That includes cameras, motion sensors, and notifications of any unauthorized activity, so you can have peace of mind.

Improved Access Control

Getting access to your belongings when you want and need them is highly important, but you don't want anyone else getting to them first. With improved access control through smart self-storage options, you can get what you need when you need it, and know that others can't get in when you're not there. That includes past users of that particular storage unit.

An Industry Transformation Through Innovation

Industry transformation can be very exciting, and it has completely revolutionized the storage industry. The technology innovations continue to expand and improve, as well, which means you'll have additional opportunities for smart storage protections and options in the future. What's available now is already impressive, and it will only get better from here.

By: Lee Preston
Lee is the Director of Marketing and Promotion for EZstorit.com. When she is not working with our storage facilities partners, she is writing about topics that affect our daily lives.