Ludlow Property Group, a real estate investment and development company specializing in self storage in supply-constrained leisure markets, has adopted INSOMNIAC® CIA access control from OpenTech Alliance, the global PropTech leader in self storage. Part of the IoE (Internet of Everything) ecosystem, CIA has become the foundation for remote self storage management across Ludlow’s growing portfolio.
With nearly 40 unmanned self storage facilities spanning mountain towns, island communities, and coastal markets, Ludlow relies on an integrated suite of technology to remotely manage properties through its in-house property management company, Looking For Storage. But not every access control system fit Ludlow’s business model or tech stack.
We walked into a situation where it was keypad only, there was no Bluetooth, and it was tied to a computer in the office. It just wasn't set up for remote operations.
As the company evaluated alternative access control systems for Montrose Self Storage on 9th Street, the team realized they didn’t need to look far. The exclusive access partner for the largest REITs in the industry, OpenTech Alliance presented itself as a tech-forward company that specialized in self storage and could support Ludlow’s remote business model.
What I liked the most about OpenTech was that you guys seem like a tech company. My experience so far from the self storage industry is to not buy from the providers who do everything.
Ludlow’s decision was based on more than market research. The company had a pre-established relationship with Storage Treasures, an online auction platform owned by OpenTech Alliance and trusted by over 20,000 facilities. Their positive experience with StorageTreasures gave them the confidence to expand their relationship with OpenTech and discuss additional solutions with Jordan Guido, Business Development Manager, whose support extended well beyond the traditional sales role.
Jordan helped me find installation partners. He's called people for me. He never said, 'I'm just the sales guy. It makes sense that you guys are good at this. You're reliable.
When Ludlow asked to take the integration a step further, OpenTech delivered again. The team was able to connect CIA’s access data directly to Kobe, Ludlow’s proprietary AI operating system, via OpenTech’s API the same day it was requested.
It's super important to have a partner that allows us to run the business the way we want to run it. I really appreciated that you guys didn't try to gate the system.
Since deployment at Montrose Self Storage on 9th Street, CIA has met Ludlow’s expectations of seamlessly integrating with their systems while allowing them to run operations how they choose.
Through a direct integration with its property management system and the IoE Control Center, the software behind CIA that enables remote self storage management from any device, the Ludlow property management team has been able to manage access codes, monitor facility activity, and make real-time changes without setting foot on site.
Tenants have also reaped the benefits of a fully integrated system through instant facility access and the ability to open gates without leaving their car using Storage Genie, a free tenant mobile app that enables Bluetooth access and tenant code management for OpenTech’s IoE solutions.
After going live at 9th Street in April 2026, Ludlow moved quickly to expand CIA to additional Montrose locations. Further CIA deployments are now underway across the growing self storage portfolio, with Big Sky, a new self storage build in Montana, specifying CIA early in its construction plans.
Ludlow Property Group has plans to continue growing its portfolio as it finds additional opportunities in the market and intends to continue implementing CIA as part of its remote management tech stack.
For more information about INSOMNIAC CIA or how OpenTech Alliance supports remote self storage management, contact us today.