If you think back to a few years ago, unmanned self-storage facilities were not on the radar. Advancements in technology and shifts in industry demands have increased their popularity.

An onsite manager has always been the best way to keep track when you’ve got a 30,000+ square foot facility to look over. However, unmanned self-storage facilities have made it possible for business owners to oversee their operations more efficiently.

When comparing automated and traditional storage facilities, the primary difference boils down to a person’s interaction with the facility. A traditional facility provides human interaction with an experienced manager, whereas an automated facility relies on technology best servicing customers within and after office hours.

Unmanned facilities are also referred to as unstaffed storage or unattended self-storage. This type of business model involves self-storage companies operating their premises with the help of technology and no permanent on-site staff. Facility managers spend their time effectively and work remotely as they don’t have to be onsite all the time.

The major benefits of unmanned storage facilities are convenience, safety, and cost. Tenants may rent, open, or request to move out of a unit from a smartphone as well as benefit from decreased overheads.

In some cases, tenants are not ready for an unmanned experience. In that case, your self-storage facility can have the CSC-industries hybrid system. This is a manned facility but prepared for an unmanned future. This way your facility can be easily transformed into an unmanned facility when the time is right.

To be competitive now and certainly in the future all facilities should have unmanned components in the sense that potential clients should be able to rent when your office is closed. These tools will also be reducing costs by shortening the manager’s hours. The days of renting from an office with an open hours requirement of 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week can be eliminated by having automation and an expert on board.