OpenTech Alliance Inc., a Phoenix-based provider of self-serve kiosks, call-center services and other technology for self-storage businesses, has entered into an international distribution agreement with PTI Australasia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Storage Holdings Pty. Ltd. Together, the companies will offers the latest in automation to the Australasian, Southeast Asia and Middle East storage markets, according to an OpenTech press release.

PTI Australasia will sell and service a line of INSOMNIAC self-service kiosks designed specifically for the respective markets. Kiosks allow customers to rent storage space, make rental payments with cash or credit card, purchase locks, check balances and purchase tenant insurance when the onsite management is unavailable or the office is closed. The INSOMNIAC software integrates with some property-management software programs such as SMD Software Inc.’s SiteLink.

"We have been watching OpenTech for several years. They have continuously improved their products by listening to their customer base, but what they were missing in our part of the world was local expertise, which is where PTI Australasia comes in,” said Steel Storage Executive Chairman Jon Perrins. “We are excited to be partnering with them on this side of the globe and feel our customers will be too."

Mike Connolly, executive vice president of business development for OpenTech, says investing in these international markets is a part of the company’s long-term global strategy. "Prior to the recession in 2009, we installed a few kiosks in Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand, but we were not able to consistently provide the same high level of customer service we offer in North America, so we retreated,” he said. “As a result of the success we are having again domestically and the confidence we have in the PTI Australasia organization, we are ready to take another run at expanding our footprint globally."

OpenTech provides several models of INSOMNIAC self-serve kiosks as well as a range of self-storage rental solutions including the INSOMNIAC Live! Call Center, INSOMNIAC Online Web and mobile applications, LiveAgent! software products, and the INSOMNIAC ILock Security System, all available through the company's Self-Storage Cloud.

Based in Hendra, Queensland, Australia, PTI Australasia is a distributor of access-control and security systems for self-storage and general-access solutions.

Steel Storage provides a full range of construction and development services to self-storage operators in Asia, Australia and Europe. It has offices in Brisbane, Australia; London; Paris and Singapore.