OpenTech Alliance announced a strategic partnership with Extra Space Storage to reduce security threats at high-risk facilities. INSOMNIAC SmartEye, OpenTech’s highly effective security solution that leverages artificial intelligence and professional monitoring services to detect, intercept and prevent crime, has played an integral role in reducing incidents at these locations.
Continue readingMetro Self Storage Leverages Auction Review Service to Tackle Highest Risk Item in Storage
StorageTreasures, LLC expanded their relationship with Metro Storage LLC (dba Metro Self Storage) to refine and reduce risk at every stage of the lien sale process. The veteran company has conducted auctions online since 2015 and leveraged an auction review service to minimize lien sale liability for nearly 10 years.
Continue readingB&C Storage Upgrades Access Control to Support Remote Rentals
OpenTech Alliance helped growing operator B&C Storage upgrade access control across their portfolio with INSOMNIAC CIA. With a varied portfolio that offers every type of storage and a changing business model that favors remote management from a central location, they needed an access control solution that could help them deliver a seamless customer experience.
Continue readingOpenTech Makes Security Monitoring Affordable for Storage Operators of All Sizes
OpenTech Alliance announced expanded INSOMNIACTM SmartEye security services with a new highly-affordable self-monitoring package.With monthly monitoring costs starting at just $25 per monitored camera, storage operators are now able to protect their employees, tenants and assets with the help of remote video access and active incident alerts.
Continue readingOpenTech Adds Water Sensor Integration to IoE Platform
OpenTech Alliance announced a new water sensor integration for their intelligent platform of smart-connected self storage solutions, the OpenTech IoE (Internet of Everything). The new integration helps operators find water leaks on their storage property to prevent significant damage to their facility and loss of customer goodwill from the destruction of tenant belongings.
Continue readingCanadian Operator Spacious Storage Innovates the Customer Experience with Access Control
OpenTech Alliance announced the installation of INSOMNIAC CIA access control at Spacious Storage, a Canadian operator among the first to adopt the cloud-based system. Having purchased the system before COVID-19 hit, Spacious Storage is now counting their blessings.
Continue readingStorage Operator Invests in Kiosks to Safeguard Operation Long-Term
OpenTech Alliance has partnered with Maryland-based Self Storage Services, Inc. over the past 10 years to ensure they’re always open for business. The product that has proven vital to their operations during the current pandemic, and one they anticipate will be key to future success, are OpenTech’s INSOMNIACTM self-service kiosks.
Continue readingNorthwest Self Storage Creates Seamless Lien Enforcement Process with StorageTreasures.com
OpenTech Alliance helped Northwest Self Storage reduce operational inefficiencies to create a seamless lien enforcement process with StorageTreasures.com. Since the company started using online auctions in 2017, they’ve not only seen great returns, but have also leveraged StorageTreasures to reduce the number of units that go to auction at all.
Continue readingGo Store It Mitigates Added Auction Liability from Multi-State Expansion with StorageTreasures
OpenTech Alliance helped relative newcomer Go Store It avoid auction liability during a multi-state expansion with StorageTreasures.com. Founded in 2017, Go Store It had an aggressive plan for growth throughout the southeast, tripling in size over the course of 12 months. With auctioneers licensed in all 50 states, ST helped them stay avoid liability from lien laws.
Continue readingOpenTech Donates $50,000 to Self Storage Association Foundation in Honor of the Knuppe Family
OpenTech Alliance announced that is has become a Platinum Sponsor of the Self Storage Association Foundation (SSAF) thru its $50,000 donation to the SSAF Scholarship fund in honor of Jim Knuppe, his wife Bobbie and son Michael. This gift seeks to honor the Knuppe Family’s long-standing commitment to making dreams come true.
Continue readingStorage King USA Leverages Suite of OpenTech Technology & Automation Services to Support Rapid Expansion & Post COVID Operation Resiliency
OpenTech Alliance has partnered with Storage King USA as part of an aggressive strategy to expand their portfolio to 200 facilities by the end of 2021. Storage King noted that technology will play a significant role in their plans for future growth and changes to their daily operations amid the new contactless environment.
Continue readingThe Power of Partnership: Simply Self Storage Creates the Ultimate Customer Experience with OpenTech’s INSOMNIAC Products + Services + Apps
OpenTech Alliance helps nationwide provider Simply Self Storage deliver on its promise to provide the best service possible. Simply’s long-standing partnership with OpenTech Alliance has allowed them to confidently test new technologies as they hit the market – including the company’s access control system, INSOMNIAC CIA.
Continue readingOpenTech Releases PTI Keypad Integration
OpenTech Alliance announced the launch a new PTI keypad integration that allows operators to connect existing PTI® Apex or VP keypads to INSOMNIAC CIA. The integration to INSOMNIAC CIA grants operators access to the IoE Control Center and eliminates the computer problems and never-ending software updates that they experience with older PC-based solutions.
Continue readingOpenTech Accelerates Kiosk Delivery and Offers 0% Leasing to Help Self Storage Operators Navigate COVID-19
OpenTech Alliance announced it will accelerate delivery for the first 25 orders of its INSOMNIACTM 120 self-service kiosk. The company also unveiled a 0% interest payment plan and trade-in options for its 20 Series line of kiosks to make it easier for operators to respond to government mandates to limit person-to-person contact.
Continue readingOpenTech Offers Online Rental Tool at No Cost
OpenTech Alliance announced it will provide its online rental software to self storage operators to rent units when their office is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The software can be quickly embedded in a storage operators’ website and be available to rent units immediately. The e-commerce platform, INSOMNIAC Online, is available to storage operators free for 6 months.*
Continue readingUpdate Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 16, 2020
An open letter to our customers:
We understand many of you are concerned about the health and wellness of your families, employees and storage customers as you deal with the impact of the COVID-19 situation. We too are concerned about our team, which is why we started implementing the standard precautions in our offices over two weeks ago. We know the best way we can serve you is to take the necessary measures to maintain our normal operation. Feel free to check our Facebook and LinkedIn pages for any updates.
You may also have concerns about the health of your storage operation in light of the potential workforce disruptions you might experience. We want to assure you that OpenTech is prepared to help you!
We do not anticipate any disruptions in any of our services (Kiosks, Call Center, CIA, StorageTreasures.com). We are implementing our Continuity of Operations Plan which includes exercising our work-at-home capabilities. Over 25% of our staff already work from home and many more have been working a day or two a week from home as part of their normal workweek. A majority of our staff has already worked from home on occasion over the past year. Starting this week, we will increase the number of work-at-home staff and are preparing for more if needed. We are well-equipped to transition to a remote workforce to continue normal operations. We have already established protocols to put this plan into effect should the need arise, and are preparing our teams with the resources necessary to continue to provide the utmost service to you.
We are in great shape when it comes to our technology infrastructure. All of our primary systems are hosted in the cloud, which makes it much easier to use and manage them remotely.
If you use OpenTech’s INSOMNIAC Live! Call Center, rest assured that we will continue to support you and your customers. We invested in our call center early on to be multi-state with redundant systems to safeguard against technology outages, weather, power failures, flu/cold season and labor shortages. With office locations in two states and several existing remote Storage Counselors, we have the capacity to ensure your calls are answered at the service level you expect.
If you use an INSOMNIAC Kiosk or CIA system, here are a few precautions you may want to consider:
- While our kiosk touch screens and access control keypads are useable with gloves, we recommend you wipe down the screen, keypad and outer components with soap and water (or anti-bacterial products if available).
- INSOMNIAC CIA customers: Send an email to all your tenants, reminding them to download Storage Genie from the app store and take advantage of the hands-free features so they do not even have to touch a keypad while on the property.
- Inform your tenants that all INSOMNIAC products, including kiosk touch-screens, can be used while wearing latex gloves.
The success of your storage operation is always a top priority at OpenTech Alliance. We will continue to pursue creative resolutions to challenges presented by this developing issue to ensure we remain a supportive partner for your business.
If you have any specific concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at 602.324.8642 or rchiti@opentechalliance.com.
Wishing you all the best as you deal with this situation.
Cheers,
Robert A. Chiti
Chairman & CEO
OpenTech Alliance
Heartland Storage Group Makes Smart Investments in Self Storage Technology to Streamline Operations
Heartland Storage Group, the self storage division of HAN Capital, has reduced labor costs and streamlined operational activities across their portfolio with the help of OpenTech technology. With notable backgrounds in finance and investments, Heartland Storage Group’s owners leverage technology to help them reduce operational expenses while maintaining their high standards for customer service.
Continue readingOpenTech Alliance Adds Unit Alarms to IoE Platform
OpenTech Alliance announced the launch of INSOMNIAC Unit Alarms, a new integration for OpenTech’s IoE (Internet of Everything). Unit Alarms provides owners and operators the ability to quickly and easily upgrade older individual unit door alarm systems without the need to rewire the property – maintaining their initial investment while taking advantage of the data and real-time reporting available in the IoE Control Center.
Continue readingUnderstanding Your Consumer: An Annual Analysis of Self Storage Tenant Behavior Trends & Data Insights
OpenTech Alliance announced the release of the 2019 Self Storage White Paper. This technical paper provides a comprehensive analysis of consumer trends in the self storage industry, delivering data-driven, actionable insights to owners and operators to position your operation for success throughout 2020.
Continue readingExtra Space Selects StorageTreasures.com as Exclusive Online Auction Partner
OpenTech Alliance announced Extra Space Storage has chosen StorageTreasures as their exclusive online auction partner. Extra Space, the second largest operator of self storage facilities in the U.S., has converted over 1,000 stores from live to online auctions to date. All facilities that switch to an online auction process in the future will do so on StorageTreasures.com.
Continue readingIndustry Veterans Open First Self-Owned Smart Self Storage Property
Pack, Stack & Store implemented INSOMNIAC CIA as part of a high-tech, luxury business model. Originally slated to install a PTI access control system – Pack, Stack & Store canceled their contract in favor of the higher quality product, greater functionality and personalized service offered by INSOMNIAC CIA.
Continue readingLife Storage Signs Exclusive Agreement with StorageTreasures
Life Storage, Inc. (NYSE: LSI) has signed an exclusive agreement to use StorageTreasures.com as the online auction platform for their full portfolio of 800+ facilities. Life Storage, one of the largest self storage companies in the world, leverages technology to allow their field teams to be more efficient and customer focused.
Continue readingOpenTech Adds Overlock Solution to INSOMNIAC CIA Access Control
OpenTech Alliance announced a new integration between the DaVinci Lock® System and INSOMNIAC CIA, scheduled for released in Q4. As part of the OpenTech IoE (Internet of Everything) intelligent platform, the DaVinci Lock integration will allow storage operators to automate tenant notifications during the rental and overlock process without investing hundreds of dollars into a new system.
Continue readingPublic Storage Orders More INSOMNIAC CIA
OpenTech Alliance announced today that Public Storage, the world’s largest owner, operator, and developer of self-storage facilities, has placed a second order of INSOMNIAC CIA systems, the industry’s first cloud-based access control solution, as the company continues to rollout CIA to its entire portfolio.
Continue readingOpenTech Expands INSOMNIAC CIA With Wired Alarm Mux
OpenTech Alliance will showcase a new wired alarm mux (code-named A96) at Booth #318 at the 2019 Self Storage Association Fall Conference and Trade Show on September 4th and 5th. The A96 is currently being tested and scheduled for release in Q4. It is anticipated to range in price from $499 to $799 and can be configured in either 96 or 48 channel mode. The company will begin taking orders for the new product in September.
Continue readingStorageTreasures Now Offers Automation for storEDGE, Storage Commander and DoorSwap Customers
OpenTech Alliance announced the release of two new API integrations for StorageTreasures’ customers. The integrations allow storEDGE and Storage Commander customers to automate the import of tenant auction data directly from the property management software into StorageTreasures.
Continue readingTop Operator Personal Mini Storage Arms Portfolio with INSOMNIAC CIA
Personal Mini Storage will replace existing access control across all 43 of their self storage locations with INSOMNIAC CIA. Central Florida’s largest family-owned storage operator, Personal Mini cites CIA’s lightning suppression and Exclusive Lifetime Protection as key factors.
Continue readingOpenTech Alliance Adds INSOMNIAC SmartGate to IoE Platform
OpenTech Alliance launches INSOMNIAC SmartGate, a new integration for the OpenTech IoE (Internet of Everything). When combined with INSOMNIAC CIA, SmartGate allows owners and operators to receive alert notifications when a gate or other device does not open or close when requested, or when it is opened or closed manually.
Continue readingiStorage Upgrades Facilities to INSOMNIAC CIA
OpenTech Alliance announced iStorage has selected INSOMNIAC CIA to replace existing access control systems across several of their facilities by the end of 2019. iStorage, owned and operated by National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA), will install CIA at over 20 facilities in the Michigan region over the next few months.
Continue readingIntegrated IP Camera Available with INSOMNIAC CIA Access Control
OpenTech Alliance now offers the first access control keypad with an integrated IP camera. With most self storage operators already actively using or with plans to implement IP camera systems over obsolete analog video technology, the enhancement, an exclusive feature of INSOMNIAC CIA, is available now.
Continue readingINSOMNIAC Kiosks Key to Expansion for 24 Hour Self Storage
OpenTech Alliance has helped Tennessee-based 24 Hour Self Storage flourish with INSOMNIAC Kiosks since its establishment 6 years ago. Founding partners Nicholas Lillios and DJ Cord, who own and operate various commercial, retail and residential properties, were committed to creating an automated business model before venturing into self storage.
Continue readingINSOMNIAC 120 Joins Next Generation of Self Storage Kiosks
OpenTech Alliance announced the release of the INSOMNIAC 120, the newest addition to the next generation line of self-service INSOMNIAC Kiosks, the 20 Series. The INSOMNIAC 120 offers a small size with stellar performance. Compact in design, this model mirrors many of the benefits of its larger counterparts.
Continue readingMaximize Your Revenue and Enhance Operations with Customer Data
Data is an asset in any successful business. Cloud-based services have created connections that not only serve the needs of consumers, but is a tool companies have long leveraged to their benefit. The self storage industry is no exception. A critical link is missing from the equation – data that identifies how customers actually utilize self storage.
Continue readingOpenTech Alliance Adds INSOMNIAC SmartDoor to IoE Platform
OpenTech Alliance announced the launch of INSOMNIAC SmartDoor, a new integration for OpenTech’s intelligent platform of smart-connected self storage solutions, OpenTech IoE. SmartDoor is the first and only self storage office analytics system that provides actionable insights on consumer traffic, whether your office is open or closed.
Continue readingStorageTreasures.com Brings Safety & Security to A1 Surfside Self Storage Auctions
Beachfront A1 Surfside Self Storage uses online auctions to safeguard staff and assets while recouping funds tied to delinquent units. A locally owned company since 1991, facility managers have resolved $34,000 outstanding in bad accounts with StorageTreasures.com.
Continue readingAmsdell Companies Converts Facilities from Live Auctions to StorageTreasures.com
Amsdell Companies has converted its Compass Self Storage facilities from live auctions to StorageTreasures.com. According to Amsdell, use of the site has become standard practice due to a streamlined auction process, superior customer service, and a better overall ROI.
Continue readingAtlantic Self Storage Supports Stellar Managers with INSOMNIAC Products and Services
Atlantic Self Storage rivals top operators with a combination of INSOMNIAC Live! call center solutions, XpressCollect and CIA. A small entrepreneur that operates in the competitive Washington D.C. metro market, Atlantic Self Storage knows you can’t miss a phone call.
Continue readingNext Generation of Self Storage Kiosks Hit the Market
OpenTech Alliance launches the next generation of self-serve INSOMNIAC Kiosks. The 20 series was designed with a focus on the user experience, the latest in hardware components and cloud-based software for maximum engagement and unparalleled reliability – all available at a new, lower price.
Continue readingOpenTech Eliminates SiteLink API Fee for StorageTreasures Customers to Simplify Online Auctions
Changes to the fee structure for the integration between StorageTreasures.com and newly merged StorEDGE and SiteLink‘s property management solution allows all StorageTreasures customers to take advantage of the SiteLink API, at no extra charge.
Continue readingUsedStorageKeypads.com Offers Wide Range of Used Access Control Inventory
OpenTech Alliance announced the launch of UsedStorageKeypads.com, a website offering used access control equipment at significant savings. UsedStorageKeypads offers self storage owners and operators a one-stop shop to find low-cost access control equipment.
Continue reading