Crunching Valuable Self-Storage Data: What Operators Can Do With Info From Smart Cameras and Remote-Management SoftwareCrunching Valuable Self-Storage Data: What Operators Can Do With Info From Smart Cameras and Remote-Management Software

Ever wonder what time of day is busiest at your self-storage facility? Or wish there was a way to remotely track the efficiency of your access-control gate? In fact, there are many operational matters to which you can have insight if you tap into the data being provided by the industry’s remote-management software and smart surveillance cameras.

Mason Shaw, Director of Operations

August 6, 2024

3 Min Read

Collecting and analyzing data isn’t just a matter of convenience today; it’s a strategic imperative. It’s about transforming raw information into actionable insights that empower us to make informed business decisions, optimize processes and seize opportunities.

In the ever-evolving self-storage industry, embracing technology and harnessing the power of data is essential for long-term success. It not only offers unparalleled efficiency and accuracy, it yields insight that allows us to adapt and innovate.

As facility operators, we aren’t just custodians of physical space but vast amounts of information regarding customer activity and behavior. The key is to untap its potential to drive our business forward. However, it isn’t enough to simply collect data; we have to actively observe key metrics and trends to uncover hidden opportunities and address potential challenges. By keeping a vigilant eye on relevant data points such as occupancy and rental rates, foot traffic, customer demographics, and unit turnover, we can comprehensively understand our facility performance and identify areas for improvement.

Moreover, technological advancements have made data collection and analysis easier and more efficient than ever. Through effective monitoring, we can equip ourselves with the knowledge to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation and drive sustainable growth in our self-storage operations. Let’s look specifically at what we can accomplish when we gather and analyze data through remote-management software and smart surveillance cameras.

Uncovering Facility Intel

If your self-storage facility uses smart cameras, you can pull raw data regarding human movement throughout the property. Strategically placed devices in parking lots and offices allow an even clearer understanding of who’s visiting your site and when. You can customize alerts for suspicious activity, license-plate recognition, activity during certain times of day, etc. The list is outstanding, and the potential for curating a custom security system is endless.

Remote-management software is another technologically advanced tool that takes self-storage operation to the next level. Not to be confused with traditional facility-management programs, this software integrates with smart cameras to pull that coveted customer data. It can log foot traffic, conversion rates, capture rates and more.

What the Data Facilitates

By using a combination of smart cameras and remote-management software, you can have eyes on your self-storage facility at all times, but there are many other advantages. By analyzing historical data such as rental trends, access-control activity, seasonal fluctuations and tenant demographics, you can:

  • Generate significant insight to human movement through web-based platforms and mobile apps, thus allowing for proactive vs. reactive responses to tenant issues and suspicious behavior

  • Understand customer behavior, preferences and demand drivers

  • Provide immediate feedback to property managers and review operational inefficiencies in real time

  • Identify recurring patterns and behaviors among your customers and even market conditions

  • Forecast future demand and anticipate market trends

Perhaps most importantly, harvesting and studying your self-storage operational data allows you to make continuous improvements. This is an ongoing process through which you can evolve in response to changing market dynamics. By regularly monitoring key metrics and analyzing trends around foot traffic, conversions rates and customer communication, you can assess performance and identify opportunities for innovation, ensuring your business remains agile and competitive in the long term. For example, you might use it to:

  • Adjust hours of operation and manage staff scheduling

  • Make informed decisions about pricing, marketing and more

  • Uncover patterns to forecast future outcomes

The goal is to turn your data insights into actionable strategies that benefit your self-storage business as well as its staff and tenants. As the industry landscape evolves, collecting and analyzing your operational information creates a strategic advantage. It can result in compelling, positive outcomes, particularly for those who are embracing smart cameras and other remote-management solutions.

Mason Shaw is director of operations for American Storage South. Founded in 2001, the family-owned and -operated company has four facilities in North Carolina. She’s also director of operations for Keep It Simple Storage Solutions, a provider of self-storage technology including two-way smart video, near-field communication smart locks, a mobile app and auto-attendant. To reach her, email [email protected].

About the Author

Mason Shaw

Director of Operations, American Storage South

Mason Shaw is director of operations for American Storage South. Founded in 2001, the family-owned and -operated company has four facilities in North Carolina. She’s also director of sales and marketing for KISS Solutions, a provider of technology to the self-storage industry including two-way smart video, a mobile app and auto-attendant. To reach her, email [email protected].

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