How Self-Storage Can Help Your Business
Lately more and more small and large businesses have turned
to self-storage over warehouses for their storage needs.
There are a few different reasons for this switch including
more flexibility, better security, better maintenance
policies, and more accessibility. With so many different
facilities operating, and the various features each
facility offers, businesses need to inform themselves on
what to look for in a self-storage company as well as what
to do to prepare the contents for storage. Preparations
vary according to the items being stored and the length of
time of the storage. This article will discuss the various
features of self-storage as they pertain to small and large
business owners looking for a better solution over the
typical warehouse facility.
Warehouses allow people to rent a certain amount of space,
or a unit, to store inventory, office supplies and
equipment, just about anything a business owner would need
storage for. The disadvantages to warehouse storage include
limited accessibility, lack of security and maintenance and
lack of space options. Warehouse storage can be adequate
for items of little value and are not made of materials
that are hazardous or likely to attract moisture or pests.
If the company is not overly concerned with the security or
condition of the items (for example a large supply of
cardboard boxes for shipping) than a warehouse may be a
viable solution.
However, most businesses do care about their supplies, even
those that are of relatively little value. For this reason
it is best to use a self-storage facility, which will
better protect your company's items from theft, harsh
temperatures, rodents and insects. Warehouses are typically
only accessible to customers during normal business hours
whereas many self-storage facilities allow renters 24-hour
access to their units. Warehouses usually hire a security
guard or two to walk around the building periodically,
while self-storage companies post guards, use perimeter
fencing, security camera and theft-deterrent lighting. To
gain access, individuals are usually required to scan a
card, or punch in a code on a keypad. Some self-storage
facilities have even added thumb print or hand print
verification scanners for better security.
There are many possible uses for self-storage facilities
for business owners. Business self storage is much safer
for storing inventory than renting a warehouse. Your
inventory will have less chance of getting stolen, or
damaged at a facility with high security, climate
controlled environments and protection against vermin.
Excess office supplies may not seem important or valuable
enough to rent a storage unit for but as any business owner
knows, every supply costs money and you would have to find
a place to store it somewhere. Finding yourself in the
position of having to replace a large bulk of supplies,
even inexpensive supplies like paper or file folders, that
have been damaged by water, heat or rodents, can add up to
hundred of dollars better spent elsewhere. If just one
accident like this is prevented, the difference in cost
between a warehouse and a self-storage unit has been
refunded.
Self-storage containers can be helpful for storing excess
office equipment during a move from one office to another.
With the correct precautions, even sensitive electronic
equipment can be stored for as long as you need. In the
event that a seasonal item does not sell as well, you can
store the excess inventory in the self-storage unit until
the following year or until your business has a clearance
sale.
By purchasing office supplies, such as printer paper, in
bulk your business can save money. Use the self-storage
container to hold the excess supplies until you have need
of them. You can also store past documents that need to be
saved but do not need to be kept close at hand inside a
self-storage unit. Possibilities include tax documents,
past employee files, and outdated contracts that may still
require service or fall under the limits of legal action.
The majority of indoor self-storage facilities offer
climate control, which prevents the unit from becoming
colder than 40° F or warmer than 90° F. This feature can
prove useful when your company need to store temperature
sensitive materials, including paper that has a tendency to
yellow when left in a too warm environment for a long
period of time. Depending on the type of business you own,
your inventory may fall into the category of items that
require climate controlled storage.
For items that require a specific temperature of at least a
more narrow range of temperature, ask the facility what
temperature the facility is normally kept at as well as the
range of temperatures within the units. The answers to
these questions should allow you decide whether the
facility will suit your needs or not.
Aside from the storage, security and climate control that
business self storage companies offer their customers;
there are several additional features that self-storage
facilities offer that can save time and money for your
company.
First of all, the locks sold by many of the self-storage
are often the highest standard available. Do not let the
high cost make you hesitate to invest in one to keep your
items as secure as possible. Some self-storage companies
will actually require that you use the locks they sell.
Since people often rent storage facilities during moves,
the companies sell packing supplies to their customers.
These supplies include cardboard boxes, shipping tape, and
packing materials to prevent damages. What could be easier
than picking up a sold item at your storage facility and
then picking up the material to wrap it in and the box to
ship it in on your way out of the facility?
Additionally, business self storage facilities often rent
out materials to prevent damage from occurring to the
contents of your storage container. These supplies include
protective plastic sheets, pallets to keep your contents
off the floor and moving blankets to protect your large
items from getting harmed while moving them.
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Business Self Storage
http://www.royaltyuniverse.com/Business_Self_Storage.html
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