Self Storage or Managed Storage? A Deep Dive
All companies outgrow the spaces that they once inhabited as they grow. But then comes the real question.
Is it worth utilizing self-storage, or will a managed storage provider be your best bet?
In today’s article, we’ll dive deep into managed and self storage, and which one is the best usecase for your business.
What is self-storage?
Ever wondered what self-storage is all about? It’s pretty straightforward - you pay for a space and use it however you want. You know those storage units you see getting auctioned off on TV shows? That’s exactly what I’m talking about.
The cool thing is you can pop in anytime - they’re open 24/7. Need a tiny unit for a few boxes? They’ve got that. Moving your whole house? They’ve got bigger units too. Most places let you bring your own padlock and give you the only key. Some fancy facilities even keep your stuff at the perfect temperature with climate control.
Most places do month-to-month rentals, but if you’re planning to stick around longer, ask about discounts - lots of facilities offer them. And don’t worry about security. These places take it seriously, with everything from security guards to cameras keeping an eye on things. But here’s a tip: check out the security setup before you commit. Not all storage facilities are created equal!
The best part? It’s super flexible. Just remember you’re in charge of everything - moving stuff in, moving stuff out, the whole deal. And don’t cheap out on the lock! Get something sturdy that’ll actually keep your stuff safe.
Remember that self-storage software can help alleviate handling all of the minute tasks like organizing and housekeeping.
What is managed storage?
Managed storage provides done-for-you storage services. If you are working in e-commerce, or simply don’t want the hassle of taking on a self-storage solution, managed storage can be a great solution. You will have access to professional item pick-up and delivery, as well as detailed inventory management.
With a CRM, you’ll be able to identify any stock you have, and easily ship it to anywhere you desire by simply letting the managed storage provider know about your goods. You also can use managed storage even if you aren’t in e-commerce by hiring a moving company that will take care of the work for you.
When looking into long-distance moving and storage managed providers, it’s always a good idea to properly vet whomever you’re considering working with as they will not only have access to your belongings, you will have to pay a hefty fee to keep your items there long term.
The biggest downside is that as you store more with a managed storage provider, the “lock-in” factor takes place, where the cost of moving out to find a new provider can get so high that it would offset any savings had when attempting to reduce on costs.
Managed storage is great for anyone who wants a hands-off approach to storage, but it does come with some caveats that need to be addressed beforehand.
Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider
Budget
The number one biggest factor when it comes to self-storage vs managed storage is budget. If you are tight on budget, then self-storage is going to be a necessity. However, even when considering the higher price for managed storage, depending on your use case, you may find that the overall savings (as well as time) outweigh any potential budget concerns with managed storage.
Requirements
If you own an e-commerce business, then going with managed storage is the best bet. You can save on doing it yourself, but that means also taking on the huge logistical task of creating a warehouse-type environment which can take many months to get up and running.
If you’re a homeowner and want stow-away storage, then a self-storage facility is ideal. It’s simple and easy to get set up and you can cancel any time without a huge investment unlike a managed storage provider.
Available labor
If you have a full team of staff that can organize and integrate into a self-storage facility, then managed storage may not be necessary. But what if you’re a team of 5 that needs to take care of other business tasks? Hiring solely someone to manage a self-storage facility can end up costing substantially more than offloading the task to an up-and-running business.
Item types and volumes
A self-storage facility may not be a good idea if your business is handling a multitude of different-sized items that are high in value and oddly shaped. The reason is that creating a safe environment for every item comes at a cost, and this cost could’ve been avoided by simply going with a managed storage provider.
If you have some furniture that needs to be stored and a few other goods that need to be stowed away long term, then you may just want to go with a self storage facility and do all of the heavy lifting.
Final Thoughts
Looking to store some stuff? Here’s the deal: if you’re the hands-on type and want to save some cash, self-storage is probably right up your alley. You handle everything yourself, but you’ll usually end up spending less.
It really comes down to whether you want to roll up your sleeves and save some money, or pay extra for someone else to handle everything. Both work great - it just depends on what matters most to you!