The Age of Keyless Entry for Self Storage
OpenTech Alliance announced that NW Storages, professionally operated by Advance Management Inc. and serving Washington State, has successfully deployed INSOMNIAC SmartLock technology at its Everett Storage Depot facility in Everett, Washington.
The strategic rollout of electronic locks on the facility’s drive-up units highlights the adaptability and ease of implementation of OpenTech Alliance’s smart locking solution — particularly in retrofit use cases where operational continuity and tenant satisfaction are critical.
Creating Peace of Mind with Electronic Locks
Everett Storage Depot’s layout presented a familiar challenge for operators: while most units are housed within a single indoor structure, a ring of exterior, drive-up units surrounds the building and remains ungated — making them more vulnerable to unauthorized access.
The site’s leadership opted to bolster security on these specific units using the SmartLock R to give tenants peace of mind.
A Seamless Transition to SmartLocks
The flexibility of the SmartLock R played a central role in the facility’s decision to adopt. Because the SmartLock R can retrofit occupied units and be installed without requiring tenants’ personal locks to be cut or units to be opened, the transition was seamless — with no impact to the tenant and rapid user adoption.
Tenants were quick to embrace the upgrade, with several commenting on the increased sense of security since the locks were installed.
Building Stronger Sitewide Network Connections with OpenNet
OpenTech’s unique mesh network, INSOMNIAC® OpenNet™, provided critical infrastructure for the locking system and Wi-Fi across the facility at no added cost. OpenNet enabled fast and reliable communication between locks spread across the wide exterior of the building — an area that posed unique connectivity challenges due to its open layout and wall-inset unit design.
Despite these complexities, system performance has remained strong, with zero reported issues and battery levels holding steady at 100% over three months post-install.
Integrating INSOMNIAC CIA with SmartLocks
In addition to improved visibility and remote management via the OpenTech IoE Control Center, a cloud-based central control platform, the site leveraged SmartLock R’s integration with the INSOMNIAC CIA (Central Intelligent Access) system to enable tamper detection through relay-triggered alarms.
This layer of deterrence has further reinforced security around high-risk units without requiring major infrastructure upgrades — a compelling benefit for operators with similar property layouts.
Advance Management is actively exploring additional deployments of SmartLock R at similar facilities in its portfolio.
Our mission is to provide operators with reliable, flexible tools to elevate security, streamline operations, and deliver better tenant experiences. Everett Storage Depot’s use of SmartLock R shows that you don’t have to retrofit an entire site to realize the value of smart access technology. With the right implementation strategy, even partial deployments can deliver full-scale impact.
Explore the Future of Self Storage Technology
Interested in learning more about INSOMNIAC SmartLocks and how they can improve your self storage operations? Schedule a demo or visit the OpenTech Experience Center to explore the future of electronic locks! Contact our team today.
