OpenTech Alliance Inc., a Phoenix-based provider of self-storage kiosks, call-center services and other technology, is partnering with Bellhops, a Chattanooga, Tenn., startup, to provide on-demand moving services through OpenTech's kiosks, call center and online-rental software. Bellhops helps consumers find assistance with local moves, providing service through a mobile app and online platform and using college students as labor.

Bellhops is targeting storage tenants who need an extra set of hands to complete their do-it-yourself move, according to an OpenTech press release. The service will allow self-storage operators to provide the Bellhops service to their customers and share in the revenue on each transaction. "We needed a way to configure our software with individual self-storage companies,” said Chris Cowart, vice president of business development for Bellhops. “By programming with OpenTech's Self Storage Cloud service, we are able to program on-demand moving support for the storage industry."

OpenTech will provide storage owners with the ability to ask new storage customers during the move-in process if they need help moving their belongings. The platform will function though the company’s kiosks, call center and online-rental software.

"Together, we will be bringing another new revenue stream to self-storage operators and, maybe even more important, a few spare hands to their tenants,” said Robert Chiti, OpenTech president and CEO. “Our mission is to make using self-storage effortless, so providing tenants with a simple way to get some help moving fits perfectly." 

Operating out of 130 U.S. cities, Bellhops employs a real-time software network to accept customer move-time requests while simultaneously offering those jobs via an app to a contract-labor pool of more than 8,000 trained and insured college students. The tech-enabled moving company is backed by California and New York investors credited with supporting Facebook, Instagram, PayPal, SnapChat, Twitter and Zappos at startup, according to the release.

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.