Second Oldest Town in Tennessee Gets a Technology Boost

Do-It Yourself Storage Leases Up 1 Year Ahead of Schedule

PHOENIX, Arizona – February 23rd, 2011 – OpenTech Alliance is pleased to announce that Do-It-Yourself Storage is paving the way for technology in one of the oldest towns in the country.  Megan Campbell and John Maple operate Do-It-Yourself Storage in Dandridge Tennessee, a small population town located in Jefferson County. Campbell and Maple started with two pieces of vacant land planning to build, but then bought a property with three and a half acres and two buildings – converting one into an indoor, climate-controlled storage facility with 145 rentable units. The other building is used for Boat/RV storage.

Do-It-Yourself Storage became a kiosk customer in October 2008. “We saw this kiosk in Las Vegas at the Inside Self Storage Convention and were drawn to it. We loved everything about it – it was so user-friendly and the virtual ambassador’s name is Megan so it was just meant to be,” said Campbell. “The wonderful thing is that with the kiosk in place the facility leased up in 18 months, which was 1 year faster than we had projected.” The kiosk has given Campbell and Maple the freedom they need to have a self storage facility and continue their successful real estate business.  They were even able to get away on a two week fishing trip to Canada in 2010 with the storage running on its own via the kiosk, not to mention the approximate $30,000 they save each year in payroll costs.

Campbell notes that Do-It-Yourself Storage is the only facility in town that is climate controlled and that operates a kiosk. Their competitors are still operating by paper while Do-It-Yourself Storage is completely computerized, allowing customers to rent 24/7. “The kiosk helps my customers feel safe,” said Campbell. “We went with the INSOMNIAC® 900 because it takes a copy of their driver’s license, finger print, photo and the customer can buy a lock from the kiosk as well. It also records a video of each customer as they use the kiosk.”

“Everyone uses the kiosk to rent at our facility – it’s the only way to get into the building,” commented Campbell. “We’ve been open two years now and rarely have customers call.” Campbell also does a good job of educating her customers on what to expect on their experience at her facility rental center – covering everything from the kiosk to the storage lift via good signage and their Web site. Customers have given testimonials on Do-It-Yourself’s Web site that indicate how convenient and easy the kiosk is to use.  When Campbell drives by the competition, she sees tons of overlocks. She believes that all the pay options available on the kiosk make a difference, her delinquency rate zero.

Campbell is a true advocate of the INSOMNIAC kiosk. “Why wouldn’t I be? It makes our lives easier. All I have to do is sit back and let the kiosk do the work,” added Campbell. “I can see why some managers talk the kiosk down, if they are not adding value to the business other than processing payments and rentals, they are afraid the kiosk will take their job.”

To learn more about Do-It Yourself Storage and what their customers are saying about the INSOMNIAC kiosk, visit www.Do-ItYourselfStorage.com.

OpenTech products and services increase revenues, reduce operating costs and improve customer convenience for self-storage facilities.  The company products and services include 7 models of INSOMNIAC self storage kiosks ranging from $5,500 to $18,000, INSOMNIAC Live!  call center services and the INSOMNIAC Self Storage Network for online storage reservations and rentals.  For more information on OpenTech, please visit www.opentechalliance.com or call (602) 749-9370.

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OpenTech Alliance, Inc.
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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 is protected by U.S. patent number 5,946,660.