Baby Boomers Embrace Self-Storage Technology as Much as Younger Users

Baby Boomers Embrace Self-Storage Technology as Much as Younger Users

PHOENIX, Arizona – April 14th, 2016 – OpenTech Alliance, Inc. announced today that Baby Boomers adopt self-service kiosks, web-mobile rental applications, and other types of self-storage technologies just as energetically as younger users; according to Chuck & Rebecca Richey, owners of Presidential RV & Boat Storage.

“When we first drew up the building plan, we decided to design a facility that was functional for the future, with state of the art amenities for RV & Boating use.  Having the Millennials in mind, we wanted to be tech-friendly and customer convenient.  By offering the INSOMNIAC® Kiosk onsite, and INSOMNIAC Online to automate our rental and payment processes, we would be one of the first fully automated facilities in the marketplace with 24/7 business hours,” said Chuck.

The site was to be located in an exploding area of the Austin Texas Metro, but Richey was still somewhat concerned about the concept of a fully automated facility being too far advanced.  This was due to the fact that typical RV owners are not Millennials. They are Baby Boomers, and the perception was that those who are 50+ are not technologically progressive.  In spite of the myth, Presidential moved forward with the plan to automate.

“It turned out that my concerns were false. We have already rented over 300 of the 400 spaces available through the OpenTech kiosk and online rental channel since opening the facility in March of 2015.  In fact Baby Boomers, and Millennials alike have applauded me for providing the conveniences of technology, and this myth-buster makes more sense to me now.  These tenants can afford to spend money on luxury RV’s, boats, and off-road vehicles with onboard computers, navigation systems, Smart TV’s and mobile compatible devices.  Baby boomers, who are between 50 and 68 years old, expect technology to help them live better lives on their journeys,” added Chuck

With a typical stay of 24 months as an industry average, their supply of available space is already falling.  And in its first year of business, the kiosk and online rental application have helped Presidential to operate at 75% capacity.  Reports also indicated that 48% of the automated rentals were completed outside of normal storage business hours.  In the end, building the first unmanned RV & Boat Storage facility in Leander, Texas has been deemed a success by Co-Owners, Chuck & Rebecca Richey.

Robert Chiti, President and CEO at OpenTech said, “Like me, and most of the people in my circle of family and friends, those born between 1946 and 1964 are not a generation new to technology.  Computers, automated teller machines, cell-phones, the internet, and software applications, were all developed during our lifetimes, so we have grown to expect that the technology movements will continue to improve our lives as well.  Thanks to the Richey’s for having faith in the old-school generation.”

Why We Do What We Do: Every day, OpenTech Alliance connects thousands of tenants with storage companies around the world. With over 4,000 daily transactions, the companies automated products and services helped Storage Managers move-in over 100,000 tenants in 2014, generating over 100 million dollars in new sales revenue alone. OpenTech also owns a majority stake in Storage Treasures, LLC and operates www.storagetreasures.com/, the largest online and onsite self-storage auction market place in the industry with over 900,000 bidders, 6,500 self-storage facilities and over 140,000 auctions held in 2015. OpenTech, Making Self-Storage Easier, So More People will Use It. For additional information, please visit www.opentechalliance.com/or call an OpenTech Business Development Manager at (602) 749-9370.

Press Contact:
Mike Sawyer, Director of Marketing
OpenTech Alliance, Inc.
602.324.8655
msawyer@opentechalliance.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: OpenTech Alliance, the OpenTech logo, and INSOMNIAC are trademarks of OpenTech Alliance, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. INSOMNIAC kiosks are protected by U.S. patent number 5,946,660.

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