Choosing Software to Meet Self-Storage Business Needs

Make an implementation plan. Set a "magic date" to go live. Make it comfortable, not hurried. Too often store managers are given a new program on one of the last days of the month, and are expected to be up and running by the first. If this process is hurried, the chaos may frustrate employees, lead to mistakes, or the totals for the first month will not be accurate, leaving everyone involved feeling terrible.

Everyone is looking for the best value for dollars spent. Cost differences are sometimes tied to the amount of features and benefits the product provides, but not always. Some high-price programs warrant the price tag, based on all that is contained. Some may not. Mid-priced packages may provide all of what is required and more. Your purchase price not only pays for the development of an existing product but technical support expertise to support that product, as well as future development of newer updated products.

Last but not least, evaluate the potential relationship you will have with the supplier and your representative. In the end, people still buy from people. Fortunately, this industry has not outgrown that. Rely on the expertise of the representatives you are dealing with, and their time in the business. The people you work with should truly care about making your business more successful, not just about writing an order.

David Essman and John Fogg are part of the management team at Sentinel Systems Corp. Sentinel Systems has been supplying software and security products exclusively to the self-storage industry since 1975. To reach them, call 800.456.9955; e-mail sales@sentinelsystems.com.