MicroTask's new Stor-Rite self-storage management softwarefeatures a Windows-based, 32-bit code that will run with aWindows95 operating system. The company created Stor-Rite lastyear and began shipping the product last month from itsBurlington, Mass., offices.s an owner of two Massachusettsself-storage facilities, Chris Capozzoli has experienced severalareas in the industry first hand, not the least of which wasmanagement software.

After using several of the available software packages on themarket today, and unhappy with most of them, Capozzoli did whatany entrepreneur would do: He created his own system.

"I've been in this business for about 10 years now. Inthat time I've probably used four or five different softwarepackages for this industry," says Capozzoli. "The moreeducated I got in this industry, the more I realized the need fora true piece of management software that can really manage thesefacilities."

Capozzoli, along with business partner and computerprogrammer, Chad Nale, created MicroTask™, which, in turncreated Stor-Rite, a self-storage software package that theybelieve will change the face of storage software.

"The nice thing about it is it's a full-blown, Windows95,32-bit front-end management package that, what I've seen to date,there's no comparison to," he says.

As far as features for Stor-Rite, Capozzoli calls the systemfoolproof and totally automatic, which can handle more than oneunit on a bill.

"On this program, it doesn't matter if you prorate it oruse an anniversary date, you can have your facility totally mixedand everything will work fine. Typically, they say you have tohave one or the other. Ours will run regardless."

Capozzoli says the program isn't an invention, rather a use oftechnology that's already available.

"When you design a Windows application with a 32-bitcode, you're using the controls already built into Windows95.We're really not introducing anything new, we're just usingcontrols that are already out there," he says, and adds thatStor-Rite will work with printers integrated with Windows95."(The printer) will fly with our program because were usingthe components in Windows. We're right inside theenvironment."

For the future, Nale says that since the program uses Lotusand Microsoft applications, any future versions of the programwill still work.

"We use Borland Delphi 3.0 to program it, Corel Paradoxto create the database and Seagate Software's Crystal Reports forthe reporting tools," says Nale. "What that insures isthat when future versions of those programs come out, thisprogram (Stor-Rite) is still going to work."

Nale, a programmer by trade, had little experience with theself-storage industry before MicroTask, but said his neophyteoutlook was something of a benefit.

"I think what happens is you have preconceived notions ofthe way things should work. When you come into this with virgineyes and ears, you really have no idea how it is supposed tolook," explains Nale. "I came in with a softwareoutlook. I didn't have a preconceived notion as to whatself-storage software should do. Chris gave us the reins and letus go to come up with our ideas on what a self-storage programshould do."

Both Capozzoli and Nale believe Stor-Rite will provide a newway of doing things in the industry, includingprofessional-looking reports and invoices.

"When you send out an invoice or a reminder, your sendingout the image of your company and we've made some verynice-looking reports and invoicing," Capozzoli says."Chad found out that this industry is very report-happy.They like their reports every which way and Stor-Rite gives themthe flexibility to make custom reports, but with a professionallook."

The pair says MicroTask received a hearty welcome at a recenttradeshow and began shipping its program last month. The companyis doing all manufacturing, packaging and shipping from itsBurlington, Mass. offices.

For more information on Stor-Rite, call (888) 232-3111.