The Latest Industry News

Westwood, KS – StorageAhead launched its innovative self storage management software, StorEdge, at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, NV, on March 31, 2014. The new platform features a streamlined interface, built-in lead management, and CRM capabilities. The cloud-based application is easily accessible and scalable to the individual needs of storage managers and owners.

StorageAhead’s dedicated team worked closely with strategic customers to develop easy-to-use management software that meets the needs of an increasingly competitive and technology-sensitive market. “We put our engineers and designers in self storage facilities for months of hands-on experience so they could design and build a product that they would actually use themselves,” said President Robert Zhou. “The result is an intuitive product that a manager can learn in a day instead of in months.”

StorageAhead’s experience in website design and lead generation provided the knowledge to create a platform capable of integrating all areas of operation. “StorEdge has all the functionality of the most sophisticated systems out there,” said Zhou. “We’ve incorporated rate management and manager task lists along with all the standard features users would expect, providing the most powerful and cost-effective solution in the industry,” said Zhou.

StorEdge also allows the user to handle leads from the very first point of contact. “There’s not another solution that integrates lead tracking into facility management so seamlessly,” said Miller. “You have to have lead tracking in order to measure return on investment.” By consolidating lead, tenant, and unit management, StorEdge provides the tools to monitor the complete marketing apparatus, from inquiry sources to move-ins to length of stay.

Because the software is cloud based, owners will have the ability to supervise their facilities from any location. “With the evolution of mobile computing, renters and owners are demanding solutions that meet those needs,” said Miller. “Whether you’re moving in prospective renters from iPads or opening gates from smartphones, you need a web-based solution to reach those goals.” Forthcoming updates will release quickly and directly with no disturbance to the user.

StorEdge’s easy-to-use interface offers owners and managers the opportunity to minimize the time and cost of training and technical support. The attractive pricing model makes StorEdge an affordable solution for small-to-medium storage businesses, although it’s easily scalable to the needs of larger brands as well. For more information or to schedule a demo of the product visit www.StorageAhead.com/StorEdge.

 

About StorageAhead

StorageAhead offers the most comprehensive web technology for the self-storage industry. We give your business the competitive edge by providing the tools you need to boost your rentals and maximize your profits. With our personalized marketing websites, lead-generating search engines, and business management software, our professional team is dedicated to your brand. Together, our experience in online marketing and our knowledge of the industry is what makes our technologies – and your self-storage facility – succeed.

 

Contact

For more information about StorageAhead and our products, please contact:

StorageAhead

4830 Rainbow Boulevard

Westwood, KS 66103

Office: (913) 954-4110

Email: info@storageahead.com

www.StorageAhead.com/StorEdge

Westwood, KS – StorageAhead’s cloud-based management software, StorEdge, is approaching its launch at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, NV. The new platform is easy to navigate and features built-in CRM capability as well as financial and business analytics. Live demos of StorEdge will be available at ISS Booth #421 from March 31 to April 1, 2014.

 

About StorageAhead

StorageAhead offers the most comprehensive web marketing technology for the self-storage industry. We give your small business the competitive edge by providing the tools you need to boost your rentals and maximize your profits. With our personalized marketing websites, lead-generating search engines, and business management software, our professional team is dedicated to your brand. Together, our experience in online marketing and our knowledge of the industry is what makes our technologies – and your self-storage facility – succeed.

 

Contact
For more information about StorageAhead and our products, please contact:

StorageAhead

4830 Rainbow Boulevard

Westwood, KS 66103

Office: (913) 954-4110

Email: demo@storageahead.com

www.StorageAhead.com/StorEdge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2013

For more information, contact:

Red Nova Labs

info@rednovalabs.com

913-384-5700

Kansas City Startup,  StorageAhead, Appoints Robert Zhou as President

WESTWOOD, Kan., (December 2, 2013) -  Red Nova Labs, a Kansas City-based web marketing company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Zhou as President, effective November 18, 2013. Mr. Zhou, who had been the VP of Engineering and CTO with the company since its inception in 2008, will manage all operational aspects of the company.

According to Dan Miller, who will remain as CEO, "Bob has taken a more proactive role in all aspects of the business in the past year. In addition to driving our SEO and technology, Bob assumed responsibility for marketing last February, driving our content, branding and design operations. It is only fitting that Bob has the title that goes along with the job he has been performing.”

Although many Red Nova Labs employees won’t see much difference in the daily routine as a result of the change, the company has undergone a major transformation over the past year. Miller believes "the rapid growth presents several new opportunities and challenges which Bob is ready to approach head on.” According to Zhou, "with sales up nearly 50% percent and record profits in 2013, it’s great, but never enough. We have so much work to do in terms of market penetration and new product development.” In order to continue pushing the company past its current boundaries, Miller will be spending more time focusing efforts on business development and strategies needed to grow Red Nova Labs even faster.

Red Nova Labs’ affiliate company, Storage Ahead, focuses on boosting online visibility for storage facility owners and operators. With the upcoming release of StorageAhead’s newest product StorEdge, facility management software for self storage, Miller can now spend more time developing this market and helping define an integrated business strategy in moving forward. Miller is ready to pass the torch in light of the company’s growth, saying "Bob has been instrumental in the growth and success of Red Nova Labs and has proven he is capable of taking us further, faster.”

For more information, e-mail info@rednovalabs.com or call (913) 384-5700.

About Red Nova Labs:

Red Nova Labs is a Kansas City-based web marketing company that focuses on creating robust solutions for the self storage industry. From lead generating facility search engines to search engine optimized sites, we provide the online tools self storage owners and operators need to stay competitive by boosting their leads and overall rentals.

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Farmington Hills, MI (PRWEB) December 03, 2013

The Storage Business Owners Alliance LLC ("SBOA”) (http://www.theSBOA.com), the premiere buying group for self storage owners and operators nationwide, announced today that it will no longer charge membership fees to join its ever-growing buying group.

Since its inception in 2010, the SBOA has grown to more than 3,000 member-facilities in just 3 years, and has seen growth as well in the number and quality of preferred vendor-partners.

"We wanted to eliminate the membership fee so that self storage owners would not feel inhibited from using the SBOA vendors and the terrific deals they offer,” stated Ian Burnstein, President and co-founder of the SBOA. "Our size of membership and strength of vendor partnerships have strengthened our business model to the point where we can waive the membership fee and continue to provide outstanding service and pricing to our Members,” Burnstein added.

SBOA Members can take advantage of pre-negotiated discounts on goods and services used daily in the operation of their self storage business without being required to pay a membership fee. These vendor partners include nationally recognized companies such as SBOA Merchant Services, SiteLink, OpenTech Alliance, SBOA Tenant Insurance, the Storage Group and many others.

With more than 30 vendor-partners, Members can expect savings of 10% - 60%, with easy access to view all offerings through the SBOA website (http://www.theSBOA.COM/deals).

"We enjoyed tremendous value from the SBOA with the membership fees in place,” said Chris Potash of Self Storage Zone. "The removal of the fee will open up opportunities for others to enjoy the same benefits that we have enjoyed for more than three years,” Potash added.

To sign up for the Storage Business Owners Alliance (SBOA) or to learn more about these affiliate programs, please visit http://www.theSBOA.com. The Storage Business Owners Alliance (SBOA) features pre-negotiated discounts for owners and operators in the self storage industry.

It is inevitable that when December rolls around we all start casting an eye back to the year that was. In some cases there are amazing events, in other cases there are difficult stretches to be navigated. In the end, we always hope that the positives outweigh the negatives and good things are accomplished. And that certainly was the case for the California Self Storage Association in 2013, as the organization truly came through with stellar efforts to help CSSA members.

The CSSA played host to many highly successful events and added a number of benefits and programs for members. The CSSA also moved to a new headquarters (4000 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 600, Newport Beach, CA 92660) and added new staff member Amaris Burkel (Manager of Operations & Member Relations), while Erin King (Executive Director) and Brenda Lafontaine (Online Business Development & Marketing Manager) maintained their usual high level of dedication, energy and sense of humor.

Here are a number of 2013 highlights, as well as a preview of what is coming in 2014.

Listen Up, Bootcampers!

The CSSA decided to get tough about self storage legal issues by hosting four different Legal Bootcamp sessions. Jeff Greenberger led attendees in Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego and Santa Ana. The gatherings were so successful that the CSSA will offer more bootcamp-style classes in 2014, including a revamped legal session and other new topics, as well.

Wine, Women and Song…and Self Storage

So, you want to host an event in a place that everybody loves and will have a great time attending? What better place than Napa? The CSSA organized its 1st Annual West Coast Self Storage Owner’s Meeting in Napa with over 200 attendees. Erin and Brenda made sure that the content was solid, the oysters were fresh, the networking was in high gear and the bocce ball event to raise money and awareness for Kure It came off without a hitch. The good news is that the event will be back again in 2014 with Dr. Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics serving as the keynote speaker. Don’t miss it!

Hitting It Big in Newport Beach

The CSSA’s 9th annual Summit in Newport Beach this past July was the CSSA’s biggest one to date. The event saw over 260 attendees on hand for the CSSA’s usual winning combination of serious and important content and fun events. Ron Havner answered questions while Jim Sullivan of Green Street Advisors served as the moderator. That session was followed by a capital markets presentation and an owner’s development and acquisitions panel. On the light side, Kure It’s Poker Fun Run once again was a big hit. The 10th annual gathering in 2014 will likely see over 300 people attending with event hours extended.

Pancakes, Coffee, Anyone?

The CSSA’s Owner’s Breakfast Program was a success in 2013 and will continue in 2014. The program allows owner and vendor members the opportunity to meet, discuss local trends and results, and exchange information.

Meanwhile, the CSSA will continue to host coffee meetings throughout the state that are free for anyone to attend (well, except for the coffee). The meetings are typically led by Erin King or Mark Beck, take place from 7-9 a.m., and are very informal with the agenda often dictated by the group on hand. It serves as a terrific opportunity to meet people, catch up with members and see what is happening in the field.

Fighting the Good Fight in Sacramento

Everyone was amazed when a bill that the CSSA had hoped to move through this year’s California Legislature hit a snag in the California Senate Judiciary Committee. Bill AB 983, intended to help self storage operators dealing with lien laws, was surprisingly voted down (the bill had moved smoothly through three prior committees). The CSSA has pinpointed the area that likely caused the bill’s downfall and is now proceeding with a new version it hopes will make it all the way through the California legislature starting in 2014.

Member Benefits Keep on Coming

The CSSA kept the benefits coming for members in 2013. The two new programs were offered: (1) a new portion of the CSSA store that allows its members to purchase forms and other paper products with printing options through Optimal Outsource and (2) special discounted pricing on moving supplies from New Haven Moving Equipment. As for the benefits, the CSSA came up with a new Employee Manual and anaccompanying user workshop, access to the Self Storage Legal Review Network, a Self Storage Operator Forms Packet, and an Office Depot Discount program.

Stepping Up in 2014

The CSSA will continue to add and improve in 2014, with renewed efforts in Sacramento, more gatherings and a new, informative and exciting newsletter.

"We feel like we had a terrific year in 2013 and our members are as enthused about our direction as we are,” Erin King concluded. "The CSSA is dedicated to doing as much as we possibly can for our members, while keeping our events both informative and fun. We expect more of the same in 2014.”

Stay tuned, stay involved and Happy Holidays from everyone at the CSSA!

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2013--Public Storage(NYSE:PSA) announced that it has entered into a$700 millionone-year term loan withWells Fargo Bank.

John Reyes, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, stated, "Given the state of the preferred equity market, we have decided to take advantage of the attractive rate on a short-term bank loan. We intend to use the borrowings to fund acquisition and development activities and for general corporate purposes.Wells Fargo, our bank for over 30 years, once again has supported us with this financing.”

Company Information

Public Storage, a member of theS&P500 and FT Global 500, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that primarily acquires, develops, owns and operates self-storage facilities. The Company’s headquarters are located inGlendale, California. AtSeptember 30, 2013, the Company had interests in 2,110 self-storage facilities located in 38 states with approximately 135 million net rentable square feet in the UnitedStates and 188 storage facilities located in seven Western European nations with approximately tenmillion net rentable square feet operated under the "Shurgard” brand. The Company also owns a 43% common equity interest inPS Business Parks, Inc.(NYSE:PSB) which owned and operated approximately 28.6 million rentable square feet of commercial space, primarily flex, multi-tenant office and industrial space, atSeptember 30, 2013.

Additional information aboutPublic Storageis available on the Internet. The Company’s web site is www.publicstorage.com.

Source:Public Storage

Public Storage
Clemente Teng
(818) 244-8080, Ext. 1141

We’ve heard it since we were little kids -- "Just remember, as much as you like getting presents, it is always better to give than to receive.” It was a hard message to swallow, but there was truth in the words. Now, the CSSA would like to prove how true it really is at this time of the year by offering two new programs and a number of benefits to CSSA members. It is the CSSA’s way of saying "Merry Christmas and Thank You for Your Support.”

The two new programs include: (1) a new portion of the CSSA store that allows its members to purchase forms and other paper products with printing options through Optimal Outsource (coming available early December) and (2) special discounted pricing on moving supplies from New Haven Moving Equipment.

As for the benefits, the CSSA has come up with a new Employee Manual, Self Storage Operator Forms Packet, and Office Depot Discount program. And the best part of all? Purchases from Optimal Outsource and/or New Haven Moving Equipment will result in a portion of the finances going to Kure It Cancer Research.

"We feel like this is the best time of the year to let CSSA members know about these programs and benefits since the holiday season is all about giving back,” said Erin King, Executive Director of the CSSA. "We love helping our members and we love helping Kure It.”

The CSSA has entered into a working partnership with Optimal Outsource, a Lake Forest, California, business devoted to creating products and tools that address the mailing and communication needs of the self storage industry. CSSA and Optimal have partnered to provide an on-line print solution for critical operational documents. Members will now have the convenience of purchasing CSSA California-approved operational documents from the CSSA website.

Need moving supplies at your storage facility? New Haven Moving Equipment is pleased to offer special discounted pricing to CSSA Members ONLY. Get ready for the New Year and stock your store with boxes, tape, locks, and other moving supplies your customers demand. Orders must be a minimum of $500 and will be delivered atno extra shipping costfor orders within 75 miles of the New Haven warehouses.

"The CSSA continues to demonstrate their commitment to Kure It’s mission with these programs and benefits,” added Karen Jones, Director of Kure It Cancer Research. "To have both Optimal Outsource and New Haven Moving Equipment willing to donate proceeds from their sales says so much about their dedication to a great cause. We are proud to partner with the CSSA and its members in the fight against underrepresented cancers.”

So get in the Christmas spirit along with the CSSA! For more information, contact the CSSA at info@cssaweb.com.

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The battle lines are drawn and the competitors are about to Rock the House …the Gingerbread House! There will be no bows and arrows, just gingerbread and icing. But when the California Self Storage Association (CSSA) staff dives into this holiday competition, the atmosphere will be just as tense and competitive as The Hunger Games since only one chef can come out on top. Expect bursts of creativity, double dealings and plots against their fellow chefs. And the public will decide the champ.

The Great Gingerbread House Showdown is on!

Erin King (Executive Director), Brenda Lafontaine (Online Business Development & Marketing Manager) and Amaris Burkel (Manager of Operations & Member Relations) have already started up with the bantering. The action can be followed on Facebook posts as well as e-mail blasts. Readers can vote for their favorite of the trio of cooks on Facebook then judge the final results on Monday, December 16.

"Honestly, I have no idea why the other two ladies are even in this competition with me,” said King, aka The Knife. "I’ll be bringing the same will to succeed that I have in my everyday dealings with the CSSA. I just sort of pity the competition.”

"This won’t even be close,” added Lafontaine, also known as The Artiste. "My creative instincts will be right on the money. Plus, I’ve read the story of Hansel and Gretel over and over, complete with pictures. I’m not even sure Erin knows how to turn on an oven.”

"Talk is cheap,” said Burkel, known as The Glue for her efforts to keep the CSSA office rolling along. "I’m an organizer and I have studied up on this whole Gingerbread House phenomenon. I’ll be ready!”

The game is afoot, the holidays are moving into high gear and so is the CSSA staff. If all goes well, expect bigger gingerbread house competitions in years to come. But for now, the gingerbread is heating up and the icing lines have been drawn.

Stay tuned!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Temple, GA – October 31, 2013)  Janus International Corporation has announced its full acquisition of Gliderol Self Storage Solutions of Peterlee, United Kingdom.

Gliderol Self Storage Solutions was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between Janus International Corp. and Gliderol UK Ltd.  As the Janus customer base continues to grow internationally, providing a stronger brand in the European Union is a natural progression for the continued service to the European storage market.

"Self-storage operators throughout five continents identify with the Janus name,” states President David Curtis. "Reaffirming our commitment to the European marketplace through this acquisition will support the enduring growth of their market by utilizing decades of experience to serve self-storage investors.”

Now operating under the name Janus International Ltd, the company will continue manufacturing from its location in Peterlee, UK.

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Janus International is a leading manufacturer of rolling doors and building components for the self storage, commercial and industrial markets.  Headquartered in Temple, Georgia, Janus has seven global locations including a joint venture in Mexico.  For more details, visit our website at www.janusintl.com. Janus International Ltd. may now be found at www.janusintl.co.uk.

 

Contact:

Amy Fuhlman l Director of Marketing

135 Janus International Blvd. | Temple, GA 30179

 770.562.2850 x370 

Cell 404.787.8444

amyf@janusintl.com

Elk Grove-Based Waterman Self Storage Now under the Management of StoragePro

Elk Grove, CA. (PRWEB)

StoragePro took over the management and daily operations of Waterman Self Storage of Elk Grove, CA. The storage experts are aggressively venturing out and boast more than 22 locations in California alone. The company is already California's leading third-party self storage property management firm. This latest facility is a fulfillment of their aim to provide the best personal and business storage services to new and existing clients.

The company is known to provide safe, secure and spacious storage services in California. The Elk Grove community has given them a strong reception as many customers from the area won't need to travel far to find a storage facility that they can depend on.

Waterman Self Storage boasts of all the additional features that people have come to expect from StoragePro. The facility offers the lowest prices on boxes in the area and also provides a complete line of packing and moving supplies. The store is centrally located, South-East of Sacramento just off the 99 freeway, giving easy access to all residents of Elk Grove. The storage units at Waterman Self Storage range in size from 5x5 – at 25 square feet all the way up to 12x25 – at 300 square feet.

Mark Beck, Vice President of Operations, added ,"Quality comes first at StoragePro. We strive to ensure that all of our facilities, including Waterman Self Storage in Elk Grove, are clean, dry and completely secure. In addition, we are open weekends and provide vehicle access for all medium and large storage units.”

The company has plans of expanding its operations further. Their new stores have met with success all over California and StoragePro also offers a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

About StoragePro:

StoragePro Management Co. is a boutique third-party property management and consulting firm specializing in self storage properties. StoragePro and their consulting subsidiary Mirabito, Mooney & Associates has provided self storage property management and consulting services since 1975. Services include market research, feasibility and viability reports, site selection analysis, management systems and expert witness testimony. StoragePro clients include independent owners, international real estate firms and publicly traded real-estate investment trusts.