Guardian Storage, which operates 25 self-storage facilities in Colorado and Pennsylvania, has taken several steps to ensure employee and customer safety during the coronavirus pandemic, including a contact-free rental and move-in process for customers and remote-working solutions for staff. The company’s entire portfolio remains fully operational, according to a press release.

“We quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation and came together as an organization to first make sure our employees were provided the resources needed to work from home successfully, while also focusing 100 percent of our resources on providing our customers with a contact-free experience during these uncertain times,” said Steven Cohen, president. “With the help of a new software system, we’re able to manage inquiries and call-backs remotely, take payment over the phone, and provide new tenants with the information needed for a seamless move-in, including their access code and a map of the property to show exactly where their unit is located. The software also allows us to provide uninterrupted care to our existing tenants and see which tenants have visited properties.”

Each facility is checked each morning to ensure good condition and operation. It’s at this time that managers collect mail and remove overlocks from newly rented units. The company has also implemented a daily routine for site sanitizing.

Guardian’s remote-working initiative allows staff to remotely monitor security cameras and share immediate updates on system refinements as well as policies and procedures. The self-storage operator has also suspended all planned rate increases for April and canceled any planned auctions. Any customer late fees incurred in April will be considered case by case, the release stated.

“As we navigate this new normalcy, it’s important that our customers and employees feel secure knowing we’re taking every precaution necessary to help keep them healthy physically and financially,” Cohen said. “There is so much uncertainty right now in light of this new pandemic, but one thing is for sure, we will do our part to stop the spread of this disease and provide our employees with the resources they need to continue caring for our customers from afar.”

Established in Pittsburgh in 1987, Guardian operates 18 locations in the greater Pittsburgh area, with a new property under construction in North Strabane, Pa., and seven locations in Colorado.