It's fixed!
There’s no question that running a self storage facility is a tall order! With a wide variety of responsibilities including facility upkeep, customer service, and managing employees, these folks have a lot on their plates. It’s easy for things to slip through the cracks in the rush of day-to-day operations and for important projects to be put on hold –
but sometimes these items on the never ending to-do list are more time sensitive than we realize, and we just may end up convincing ourselves that critical operational initiatives aren't all that important.
The old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Unfortunately that sentiment doesn’t hold water when it comes to one of the most important pieces of modern self-storage operation: the access control system. Regular padlocks and latches have proven time and time again to be defenseless against a unit burglar or delinquent tenant who break in to get their items back.
You don't need to look far to see how important unit security is. Stories like the feed pictured below are all too common examples of self storage access control keypads not proving enough site security to prevent major crimes:
To get your storage security elevated, it’s vital to invest in an smart lock system that’s designed to secure your units--not just your entries. The Nokē® Smart Entry System by Janus takes security to new levels by securing your site from the inside out. Electronic locks inside each door secure both vacant and occupied units.
Tired of drilling and cutting locks? We hear ya! Interior electronic locks eliminate this manual (and time consuming) process entirely because the system automatically revokes tenant access when they dont pay their rent. Automatic overlocking and no more locks to cut? Win-win.
Move-in automation is also made possible with electronic locks before there are no vacant unit padlocks to remove. According to AJ Osborne, President of Keylock Storage, 40% of their move-ins occur with zero manger/tenant interaction.
There’s no other representative that’s quite so present on the front lines for your self-storage business like your managers. They’re the ones manning the helm of the ship, and they’re the first and last face tenants see when they visit your facility – so make sure they’re happy and well taken care of!
John Manes from Pinnacle Storage Properties talks about the importance of keeping your team motivated and energized on his episode of our Janus Connected Podcast. Every year, his company hosts a Christmas party that’s all about celebrating the success of their employees and having fun. This attitude carries throughout the entire Pinnacle Storage Properties family throughout the year! John says, “The number one motivator is being part of something bigger than yourself and having someone that appreciates that.”
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and that rings especially true when it comes to your aging roll-up doors. Scuffs and chatter on roll-up doors occur over time, but there’s also a bigger issue at play when you’re dealing with old doors: safety. Like everything else in life, steel doors wear out after prolonged use and start to pose a serious threat to your tenants and faculty. They can come off the tracking, are difficult to open and close, and can get your facility into a mess of legal trouble before you know it.
That’s why the Janus R3 Program is focused on bringing aging facilities up to par with full door replacements, innovative security solutions, and more. By replacing problematic doors instead of just slapping a new coat of paint on top, you’re able to increase rent costs as well as rest easy knowing your property won’t be causing any physical harm to tenants! If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also be eligible for potential insurance discounts.
Now that you know what to avoid when it comes to facility improvement delays, you can tackle each item on this list and make your business better than ever. With just a little extra attention, your self-storage operation can reach its full potential!
