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Self-storage Warehouse Management

Aparna Iyer
Self-storage warehouses allow unrestricted access to stored items, and are useful to individuals and business firms alike. Here's more...
Self-storage warehouses offer the convenience of storing belongings that need to be easily accessible at a later date.
Generally, people living in rented apartments don't have the luxury of additional space. A self-storage warehouse allows them to store their belongings safely for use in the future. This prevents the apartment from getting cluttered, and saves the owner the hassle of having to dispose off belongings that cannot be accommodated in the limited available space.
It also allows business firms to store inventory, paperwork, records, files, and material required for seasonal promotion. Product samples that may have to be handed out at a later date can also be stored for convenient access.
This arrangement is an option to leasing additional office space. A lease is a long-term commitment that does not allow the firm the flexibility of adjusting office space requirements to suit changing inventory levels.
Self-storage warehouses, on the other hand, allow the facility of paying for space that is required by encouraging a system of monthly billing. Climate control, fire protection, and 24-hours access are some of the other facilities provided. There is also the flexibility of paying online, and generally no deposit is demanded upfront.
Self-storage management assumes importance in case of business firms. In case of traditional warehouses, management is the responsibility of the warehouse operators. Foremen are entrusted with the task of picking up items, and operators are responsible for safekeeping and storing.
However, in case of a self-storage warehouse, management is the business firm's responsibility. Hence, the need arises for a management system that aids mini-storage management by performing the tasks of a self-storage manager.

Reduces Time and Labor Cost

Automation results in reducing the number of workers on the floor of the warehouse for the purpose of managing inventory. This in turn reduces labor cost. The number of trips required to retrieve and store items can also be minimized with the help of a warehouse management system.

Inventory Management

Inventory management can help reduce the amount of safe stock of inventory required by the business firm, by increasing the accuracy in the process of storage and retrieval. However, reduction in inventory levels may not be significant as compared to the overall stock pile of inventory.

Optimize Storage Space

The maximum amount of inventory that can be efficiently stored in a given space can be easily determined with the help of a warehouse management system.
Since the cost of using the storage facility is directly proportional to the space used, optimizing storage space can help reduce the cost of storage.
Self-storage warehouses are, thus, mini-storage units. These are an alternative to traditional warehouse storage, in case unrestricted access is desired.

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Traditional warehouses provide the facility of packing and transporting items, and allow people to complete the necessary paperwork from the comfort of their home or office.
Mini warehouses, on the other hand, place the onus of transporting the belongings to the warehouse on the person or the business firm. However, unlike traditional warehouses, no payment is required for retrieving articles stored in self-storage units.