Why You Should Consider Leveraging Self-Storage to Streamline Your Business Operations

Why You Should Consider Leveraging Self-Storage to Streamline Your Business Operations

In 2024, many businesses will be determined to keep costs down while bolstering efficiency and providing stellar levels of customer service. This makes sense. Not only has the UK economy taken a jolt or two in the wake of COVID-19, but today’s customers are more discerning with the who, why, and when they choose to open their pockets. And let’s not forget the emphasis on commercial and environmental sustainability.

When all’s said and done, a fundamental shift in operations is not just advised; for many businesses, it’s necessary. An efficient business in 2024 will be one that hones its processes, reduces waste, optimises resources like stock control and square footage, and controls expenditure to boost the bottom line.

The benefits of this operational shift can be profound. A streamlined business will be more competitive. It will be able to respond and adapt to market changes with finesse and dexterity. Faults or delays will be minimised or eradicated completely. All of this results in robust supply chains and a more commercially productive business.

With all that in mind, it’s no surprise that businesses are leveraging solutions like self-storage to optimise operations. If nothing else, leasing a self-storage unit is cheaper and more efficient than renting a warehouse. One with expansive space, but at a cost higher than businesses are comfortable with.

Let’s look at the interplay between business efficiency and self-storage in 2024.

The evolution of self-storage and commercial operations

There is no typical one-size-fits-all solution to inventory management. A business’ size, scope of storage space, and budget can all be tailored to specific commercial or individual needs. So, basically, just hiring, for example, an expansive warehouse at an inflated price based on a lack of other options or potential forecasting is not an efficient way of managing inventory. Isn’t a scalable, cost-controlled option, such as self-storage, a better solution?

But there’s more. Does a traditional warehouse or any offsite storage solution meet your commercial needs? What about the legal and regulatory implications of storing inventories of varying descriptions? Does a warehouse support these?

Now, of course, businesses cannot store hazardous materials, illegal contraband, combustible or flammable substances, or perishables in a self-storage facility. However, businesses with seasonal goods, furniture, and IT equipment may discover that a scalable self-storage unit is a sound option for them.

By outsourcing their storage needs, businesses can streamline operations and focus more energy on core operations, promoting growth. Then there’s the operational cost. Businesses may have to hire one or more warehouse operators to maintain their inventory. This will be an additional business overhead that will have to be factored into commercial costs.

Then there’s the fact that self-storage is much more affordable than renting warehouse space, and this cost can be unjustifiable if, for example, businesses are storing archived documents or any infrequently used assets.

Lastly, the flexibility of self-storage makes it easier for businesses to make better commercial decisions. Warehouse storage, for example, often requires a long lease. This means that businesses might not be able to scale operations at the rate they’d like. With self-storage, this isn’t a problem. Businesses can scale operations fluidly, promoting seamless efficiency.

Leverage self-storage, and you’ll be able to integrate your storage needs with wider commercial operations. This will streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. Deploy a centralised inventory management system, and your business can gain valuable, key decision-making insights, including stock control. All you need to do is to follow a tried and tested system.

The ABC analysis (A = items of very tight control and accurate records, B =less tightly controlled items with accurate records, and C = items with the simplest controls and minimal records) allows businesses to rank stocks according to importance. This streamlines inventory management by helping to focus attention on high-value stock, making sure that businesses have as full—or as close to full—inventory as possible.

Moreover, by analysing historical data and market trends, businesses can forecast future stock demand. Again, this helps to streamline inventory levels, reduce costs, and effectively meet future demands. Having a well-organised, easily accessible self-storage facility also allows businesses to perform regular stock audits, matching inventory records with actual stock levels. This helps to prevent stock reductions, which, again, promotes business efficiency.

Let’s not forget that having an integrated inventory management system helps to strengthen supplier relationships. This reduces lead times, improves trust, and helps businesses build better relationships with their suppliers.

Lastly, having integrated inventory management means that businesses can implement digital tracking systems that offer comprehensive, real-time insights into stock levels. These insights can be paramount, particularly in saving time and identifying shipment statuses.

The core benefits of streamlining business operations with self-storage

We’ve already alluded to many of the benefits leveraging self-storage offers businesses; however, in the interest of clarity, let’s examine the core benefits of leveraging self-storage to help streamline business operations.

Businesses that leverage self-storage can maximise vital resources like time and labour. The result? They can achieve more with the same, or even fewer, resources. Moreover, leverage self-storage, and you’ll save on potentially costly warehousing leasing or recruitment.

Efficient businesses tend to have a reduced environmental footprint. How? An efficient business uses resources responsibly, generates less waste, and can adopt sustainable practices. Better still, efficiency is the foundation of scalability.

Streamlining business operations with self-storage will reduce expenditures by consolidating assets. Why is this good? Stability allows businesses to endure an economic downturn and be prepared to scale when need increases.

The last core benefit to businesses that choose self-storage is that enhanced organisation and optimised operational efficiency allow businesses to focus on more important areas of the business, such as short- and long-term strategic actions. In short, businesses that promote operational finesse are better equipped to service customers, grow, and prosper.

Why choose offsite self-storage?

Now, we know what you’re thinking: offsite self-storage seems so inconvenient. Why would I choose to store my inventory or assets in a separate location from my business premises? Well, there are more reasons than you may think to choose offsite self-storage.

For starters, offsite self-storage generally offers superior security than commercial or residential premises. EASS has placed significant emphasis on providing superior security solutions because we know that the security of your belongings is foundational and integral to our reputation.

Our self-storage facilities feature 24-hour, 7-day-a-week CCTV and monitoring. Customers are given their own unique PIN codes to access their units, and each unit is individually alarmed to deter intruders. We also employ an external security company to monitor all our units out of hours, meaning that we’re able to offer comprehensive security for complete peace of mind.

Next, a streamlined approach to, for example, inventory management by leveraging self-storage facilities automatically creates more square footage in your office and warehouse will help to improve productivity. How? Knowing where assets are located will save time searching for them, allowing people to concentrate on more important aspects of their role.

Better still, a less cluttered, more comfortable working environment encourages productivity and gives light a better chance of bathing your workspace. Why is this important? An environment bathed in light creates feelings of contentment, encouraging productivity, and this promotes productivity.

Finally, make self-storage a part of your business model and you’ll streamline costs, making your business more financially successful. How? Offsite storage creates more workspace on your premises. This means that you can scale your staff without having to pay for costlier premises with increased square footage.

Moreover, a business model that minimises costs while maximising assets is a financially successful business model. It’s not about keeping overheads down at all costs; it’s about being prudent, streamlining your expenditures, and self-storage helps businesses do just that.

Self-storage will help your business streamline its operations

Leverage self-storage, and you’ll streamline business operations across all departments. It’s that simple. And businesses of all descriptions, from retailers to repair workshops, charities to gardeners and landscapers, benefit from integrating self-storage into different aspects of their day-to-day operations.

The only real thing left to ask is: can your business flourish without streamlining operations?