During the major lockdown, we had our self-storage facility open but access to the reception was limited. This posed a major issue as we needed to draw up contracts, and insurance forms and issue invoices.

These would all need to be signed during the set up of a unit with a new customer and this would mean customer interaction which in turn wouldn’t be safe during this time. We trialled a few online signing software companies and landed on the most adaptable option with a company called signable.

We were delighted to offer our customers the safest option of signing up over email which meant keeping the customer and our employees safe during the pandemic. Having all the paperwork electronic also meant a huge decrease in paper usage which was a huge benefit to the environment and our printer cartridges

Last week Sophie from signable was in touch to have a chat with Keith to see how signable benefitted us during this time. Check out the interview below:

Self Storage solutions erased remote-work stress…

Keith from StorageWise tells us the reality behind a spike in demand for self-storage units during the lockdown. With trends showing that searches for ‘self-storage’ went up by 21% in March 2020, compared to the same month last year. Inquiries also moved to a 90/10 split to more domestic storage inquiries over business ones.

This higher demand for storage space meant that storage companies had to act fast and implement contact-free solutions if they were to stay in business.

While Limerick says they have upgraded a lot of their self-storage tech during Lockdown, including the introduction of Signable, some have stayed largely the same. Their use of eSignature software to get contracts signed meant there could be limited person-person interaction. Basically, keeping us all from developing claustrophobia in our own homes!

We spoke to Keith from Limerick to ask about the effects of Lockdown on their storage spaces.

StorageWise Interview

Has Lockdown had varying effects on business? 

“During the major lockdown in Ireland, we interacted with all customers either over the phone or by email. We were able to adapt our business to paperless contracts, invoices and zero contact hours with customers.”

What problems were you facing before using eSignatures? And have they helped solve them?

“We would always have the customer physically sign contracts in the office before lockdown. This meant contact with the public and a lot of unnecessary paperwork and wasting of time for both us and the customer.”

What self storage tech will you continue to use after Lockdown has ended? Do you see them as integral to your day-to-day runnings going forward?

“Having the eSignature set up through Signable means we can cut down on paper being printed. Time being wasted and also having the contract electronically saved automatically. It has improved the process of setting up a customer no end. It is a sliver lining of the lockdown.”

Finally, what’s your take on how businesses, on the whole, have reacted to new tech during Lockdown?

“I think people have adapted very well during the lockdown. It will be interesting to see if it continues when hopefully everything is lifted.”

As Keith so eloquently put it, tech has been the ‘silver lining’ of Lockdown, showing that attitudes have changed so greatly and will hopefully mean a new digital age of business.

Thanks for reading our interview. If you would like to know more about our facility and get a quote for storage. Please visit the site for a full free quote www.storagewise.ie