Digitisation of communications: an effective way to cut costs in self-storage

The self storage industry in the UK is expected to have an annual turnover in excess of £1b this year, despite the continuing cost of living crisis, which does not seem to have dampened people’s appetite for easy-to-access self-storage units.

However, in order to stay competitive in the sector, self-storage companies must act proactively to digitise their communications. The cost of communication is among the highest overheads self-storage companies must deal with. The right level of digitisation can really help to curb those costs.

Digitisation of communications in the self storage sector imminent

It makes sense to speak of how communications digitisation can help self storage companies cut costs by using a real use-case example: Extra Space Storage and MetTel’s POTS Transformation solution.

Extra Storage Space is among the largest self-storage facility operators in the US, and have chosen MetTel’s POTS Transformation solution to digitise their telephone landlines across the nation.

This should be an eye-opener for all self-storage companies, not just in the UK but also across the world because the strategic initiative has helped Extra Space Storage to keep their existing communications infrastructure intact – while significantly improving their network’s resiliency across its various communication points.

The best part about digitisation of communications within the self-storage sector is that companies will not be required to do away with their current infrastructure of landline-dependent systems like fax machines, modems, elevator lines, and fire & burglar alarms. This means there’s no need to make a major capital investment just to enjoy the same level of nationwide communications resiliency, efficiency and intelligence.

Any self storage company looking to expand and grow must find effective ways to cut costs. And, during the expansion and growth process, an incompatible or outdated communications infrastructure often means additional overheads.

To address the challenge, self storage companies can certainly implement a solution such as MetTel’s POTS Transformation at all its respective locations. POTS, which stands for “plain old telephone service”, is a century-old technology used to power analogue phone lines and critical speciality lines. They are now being phased out by more and more communications carriers as they are simply not cost-effective.

Want cost savings? Want growth? Digitise your communications infrastructure

MetTel’s POTS Transformation service is just one example of a fully managed communications service which can help self-storage companies make a smooth transition from analogue phone lines to a fully digital platform – where plug-n-play connectivity will not require any additional capital expenditure to replace their existing infrastructure.

Implementing a system such as this can bring significant cost savings and enhanced feature sets by upgrading, while gaining additional functionalities, such as simplified billing, real-time monitoring, usage reporting, and advanced calling.

At WoodPecker Self Storage, we are playing our part by moving towards a completely digitised platform. Happier employees, happier customers! In the meantime, check out our extensive variety of self storage units, all available in multiple sizes and capacities, featuring easy access and superb security.