Storage Choice Leverages Integration of OpenTech Solutions to Collect Over 1.4 Million Dollars and Decrease Accounts Receivable by 15% in 2018
March 8, 2019 – Phoenix, AZ. OpenTech Alliance, the leading developer of innovative technology solutions for the self storage industry, helped Storage Choice collect over 1.4 million dollars and decrease accounts receiveable by 15 percent in 2018 at their 15 self storage facilities in Texas. Automating their facilities has also allowed them to offer services and benefits that larger competitors don’t have, such as hands-free gate access via the Storage Genie app and 24/7 kiosks, that set them apart from competition.
Storage Choice operates over 1.2 million square feet and almost 10,000 self storage units, primarily in the highly competitive Dallas and Houston markets. Storage Choice has maintained a competitive advantage over their 26-year operating history by leveraging integrated technology solutions to improve their operational efficiency and offer their tenants the best customer experience in the area. “We strive to give the customer every opportunity to rent a unit and make a payment – we couldn’t do that without OpenTech technology,” stated Jeff Bateman, Storage Choice Regional Manager. “We have found synergies in utilizing INSOMNIAC® Live! Call Center solutions, INSOMNIAC XpressPay, INSOMNIAC Kiosks, INSOMNIAC XpressCollect and most recently INSOMNIAC CIA and Storage Genie.”
Before Storage Choice implemented OpenTech solutions in 2011, facility managers were left to juggle a long list of competing priorities. Storage Choice searched for solutions that could automate daily tasks – to work not in place, but in support of their managers to free them up to focus on the customer. “In 2011 we started with call center solutions,” stated Jeff. “If our managers are busy, the calls go to OpenTech’s Storage Counselors. In 2018 they handled over 2,000 calls on our behalf – I see those all as missed opportunities. Of the people who called to rent a unit, 82 percent booked a reservation. We then added kiosks, and in 2017 they assisted in collecting $215,000 in payments and took over 174 rentals.” Storage Choice also utilizes XpressCollect and XpressPay, which automates the collection process to make it easy for both the tenant and manager to stay on top of monthly payments. Storage Choice elevated their operations one step further last year by shifting access control at two of their properties from PTI to INSOMNIAC CIA (Centralized Intelligent Access). This cloud-based system not only makes it easier for customers to access the property but provides valuable data-driven insights that enable owners to optimize operations.
“The biggest advantage we’ve seen is the integration across all products,” stated Jeff. “No matter how our customers engage with us, whether they call, text, go online, or show up at our property, they are supported by OpenTech’s inclusive services and support team. A customer can call the number on our website, ask for help through live video on a kiosk and even rely on an OpenTech Storage Counselor to let them out of the facility if they are stuck behind the gate after hours. While each product is an asset in its own right, we’ve stayed on the cutting edge of the self storage industry by capitalizing on the natural synergy between OpenTech’s products and services.”
To learn more about the INSOMNIACTM line of products and services mentioned, contact OpenTech Alliance at sales@opentechalliance.com.
