If you’re running a self-storage facility without quality management software, you’re doing your business a disservice. Today’s programs do more than just check tenants in and out. They are enriched with features that will improve your operations and marketing efforts, give you insight into customer and property trends, and allow you to better control the performance of your facilities.
In this showcase, eight industry software vendors discuss the essential and advanced features of their products, as well as what’s new. Plus, they offer tips on how to choose the best program for your business. We have presented them here in alphabetical order.
Domico Software LLC
Some products: DomicoCloud (cloud-based)
Key Features and Functions:
- Management of units and tenants
- Delinquency calendars
- Online tenant portal accessible from any browser
- Communication with tenants via email and SMS
- Customizable dashboard
What’s new: An enhanced facilities site map that is interactive, a single-page facility summary report, integration with The Storage Group’s Clickandstor rental suite
To come up: A new modernized user interface
Tips for choosing software: Align yourself with a partner who will grow with you. Some things to consider for the line are training and technical support, as well as adding features, more units or new sites.
QuikStor Security and Software
Some products: QuikStor Cloud (cloud-based)
Key Features and Functions:
- Browser-based for fast, anywhere access
- Designated access levels for managers, owners, accountants, etc.
- Electronic signature and upload of renter documents for contactless rentals
- Integrated two-way SMS
- CRM module (customer relationship management) for communication with tenants
What’s new:
- Rental rate management for fully customizable rent increases
- CloudGate, which provides complete remote configuration, activity and control of an access control system
- A mobile application that allows tenants to open the gate, pay their rent and access electronic locks from their smartphone
To come up: New initiatives geared towards the multi-site operator
Tips for choosing software: Since you’ll be using your software daily to manage every detail of your business, from the biggest to the smallest, it’s important to choose one that you find easy to navigate and comfortable working with. Once you’ve decided, you can select the access control, website, etc. that integrates with the product of your choice.
Sentinel Systems Corp.
Some products: Sentinel Anywhere (cloud/desktop hybrid)
Key Features and Functions:
- Automated Revenue Management
- Notifications to tenants by SMS, e-mail or printed mailings, filled in manually or automatically
- Online payments and automatic credit card processing
- Financial, occupancy and site performance reports
- Multi-site financial monitoring
What’s new:
- Integration with other credit card processing providers
- Online management functionality
- A tenant portal that allows customers to make payments, rent units, and open the door from any device, including their smartphone
To come up: Multi-site reports and dashboard controls that allow real-time monitoring of vital site information
Tips for choosing software: Look for proven apps that offer the ability to work from home as well as in the office. The product should include the necessary functionality at a reasonable price and support should be available when needed. If you use access control software, look for seamless integration with management software.
Storage Commander
Some products: Storage Commander Online (cloud-based), Storage Commander Cloud (cloud/desktop hybrid)
Key Features and Functions:
- Website integrations with online rentals
- Compliance with Europay, MasterCard and Visa Chips and PINs
- Device integration including customer display terminal, biometric fingerprint reader, receipt printer and merchandise barcode scanner
- Browsing multiple sites
- Automated communications with tenants
What’s new: Contactless payment options using digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay
To come up: An extension of existing work order capabilities for operators with multiple locations, integration with more Internet of Things solutions to provide options for standalone operation
Tips for choosing software: Every management software platform should have a demo you can test out, so take advantage of it and run through different scenarios (payments, rentals, etc.) to see what works best for you. You don’t want to find the things that bother you after you’ve already made the purchase.
Syrasoft self-service storage software
Some products: Syrasoft Connect (cloud-based), Syrasoft V9 (desktop)
Key Features and Functions:
- Automatic credit card and ACH payments
- Notify offender tenants by SMS, e-mail or printed
- 200+ reports to help with facility auditing and revenue management
- eSign for electronically signed documents
- Integrated text messaging to communicate with tenants
What’s new: Tenant-facing features with a focus on contactless and online rentals, reservations and payments
To come up: BSyrasoft version 11 based on rower
Tips for choosing software: Rread the terms and conditions to understand how your data will be used and whether you can easily export it if you change provider. Also, how is the tech support? When you need help, especially in the beginning, it is imperative to have help readily available.
Tenant Inc.
Some products: Colibri (cloud-based)
Key Features and Functions:
- Built on an open application programming interface
- Organize and automate tasks
- Static and dynamic reports
- Signature and document management
- Communication with tenants via email and SMS
What’s new:
- Jenant profile to get an overview of accounts, including transaction history
- More than 50 reports on financial and operational aspects
- An automated bidding process
- Rental and promotion management features
To come up:
- Full general ledger and accrual accounting support
- An extension of existing automation capabilities
- A predefined delinquency process for all 50 states
- Building integrations with four new service providers
Tips for choosing software: We encourage operators to choose where they have the ultimate flexibility to do business in an ever-changing e-commerce climate. Choose software that will respond to the customer in the way they want to do business.
U Haul
Some products: WebSelfStorage business platform (cloud-based)
Key Features and Functions:
- Management of payments, outstanding payments, rental contract and communication
- Detailed reports to track unit status
- Assignment and management of maintenance tasks
- Reporting (financial, customer, retail, establishment)
- Print and send automatically by first class mail or certified mail
What’s new: A marketing module, two-way SMS, integration with affiliate websites and unbranded payment portals
To come up: Online auction integration and network-wide warning alert system to identify “problem” customers
Tips for choosing software: Take the time to learn how different features can benefit your business. Sometimes services that seem simple can have a profound impact on your day-to-day functioning in the long run. The small tasks that can be made easier with the right software add up and lighten the load on you, your employees, and even your customers.
Yardi Systems Inc.
Some products: Breeze Premier (cloud-based)
Key Features and Functions:
- Property management
- Marketing
- Rental and collection of rents
- Accounting
- Facilities management, including portal integration, auction management, and rental, discount, and pricing tools
What’s new:
- Centralized messaging services
- Automatically generated tasks based on predefined processes
- Driving license photo data capture
- Multiple units per account
- Auction management
- Mixed type portfolios on one platform
To come up: Breeze Premier will soon be available as a module within Yardi Voyager, with third-party vendor integration for enterprise accounts. RentCafe Chat IQ, an AI-powered chat function, will be able to be integrated into the marketing website, providing up-to-date property information, including availability, prices, amenities, and more.
Tips for choosing software: Look for all-in-one software solutions that include natively integrated features that meet all your business needs to reduce costs and ensure data quality. Partner with software vendors who have financial stability and long-term ownership, and who can provide strong initial and ongoing customer support. Look for a track record of core software development and innovation, so you can continually upgrade over time and add advanced features as your business grows.