Do-It-Your-Self-Storage: Kiosks!

"I have witnessed the real financial impact of installing kiosks at our two facilities," Leslie says. "Using the kiosk keeps our managers happy by giving them their holidays and Sundays off, but still allows us to be open for business 24/7. We rented two units on Thanksgiving and one on Christmas. I was happy we could help these customers find storage when they needed it."

Many owners and managers say the convenience factor their customers experience is truly significant since many need to take time off from work to stop by a facility and make their unit payments each month. However, by having a kiosk that takes payments, this enables them to stop by after hours, on weekends and holidays when the facility office is closed.

As many in the self-storage industry have already discovered, kiosks reduce staffing costs while providing customers with increased convenience. Without paying costly overtime, kiosks enable facilities to keep their open sign lit permanently, even during holidays. Of course, increased occupancy rates and reduced staffing costs translate into an increase in the bottom line and facility valuation.

As more industries move toward self-service, it’s worth considering the role of kiosks in self-storage. There is a good chance you might find they help lease-up your facility faster, increase profits and differentiate your facility from your competition. 

Russ Norris is director of marketing for Phoenix-based OpenTech Alliance Inc., makers of the Insomniac line of self-storage kiosks. To reach him, call 602.749.9370; e-mail rnorris@opentechalliance.com; visit www.opentechalliance.com.