We may reflect on how the pandemic has transformed working conditions all around the globe and in many different industries while managing your self storage facilities remotely. With so many of us working from home since the pandemic started, as well as the swings that have occurred afterward, you may ask whether it’s worthwhile to work from home fully, even after the pandemic has ended. When contemplating this, you’ll need to evaluate what it takes to remotely manage a self-storage facility from home, including questions such as if it’s viable, what it requires, and what technology is required to make it happen, among other things.
What does self-storage remote management entail?
Distant management entails installing a system at your site that enables you to handle all parts of your organization from a remote location. While more and more products are moving online, remote management entails using a wide range of technical tools to help you provide the service that your consumers expect from a traditional, physical business. To do this, you must evaluate several phases of the consumer experience and adjust your technical environment to their demands. Both pre-rental and on-site visiting experiences will be critical to keeping your property operational while you manage it remotely.
Because most companies have already moved their marketing and promotion to the internet, you shouldn’t have to make any changes to your clients’ pre-rental experience. However, there are still certain excellent practices. Make certain that all of your information on google and social media is correct. This includes having the correct phone number, email address, and physical location all in one place and up to date. You must also ensure that your points of contact are responsive; else, prospective contacts will be put off and will seek out alternative facilities. Finally, have a successful marketing campaign and SEO plan in place. This will not be discussed in detail here, but all of this is to imply that remote management most certainly combines the ways you currently use.
On-site visits are undoubtedly the most difficult aspect of remote management. After successfully acquiring a client, you must ensure that everything is for them to view their apartment and finalize their lease. Communication is essential in this situation; the consumer needs to know how their visit will proceed and what to anticipate when they arrive. Inform them of how they may enter their apartment, how the lease will be finalized, where they can pick up a lock if one is required, and so on. Of course, utilizing more technologies here may be beneficial. Communication and the procedure are aided by two-way video feeds, kiosks, and electronic locks. Using them will allow you to provide a more convenient experience to the consumer as if there were a real staff there. Having these technologies in place will also be important for your ongoing remote management plan since customers will be able to enter and access their unit at their leisure.
The advantages of remote facility management
The most significant advantage for you is more flexibility in both your work arrangements as a manager and those of your staff. With the correct technology, you’ll be able to supervise and execute the main duties that your consumers demand, but all from a distant place and over the internet. Getting integrated access control and property management software will only provide you with greater control over your facility’s operations. A second advantage is for the client. With consumer trends increasingly favoring technical solutions and less physical connection, shifting to a remote management style may appeal to a certain population, particularly younger generations.
The most apparent obstacle you’ll encounter when transitioning to a remote management solution is also the most evident. The more you add aspects that are not directly under your control, such as using technologies that you did not invent, the more you expose yourself to the possibility of malfunction and other surprises that might harm your service. Customer service subsequently becomes a primary concern. Ensure that you have alternatives in place for when your automated solutions fail, whether that be a contact center, fast response through video, or even a person of staff arriving immediately. Remote management will also need a strong internet connection. To operate your cloud-based software and give the quality customer care that may be needed, you’ll need high-speed internet.
Remote working isn’t going away anytime soon, so you may want to think about operating your self-storage business remotely. Fortunately, the industry has responded effectively to recent issues, and you may use a variety of technical solutions to assist you. Overall, it’s a good way to manage your facilities, even if there are certain hazards.
