Ideal Shield, producer of bollard covers for self-storage facilities and other applications, has released a new series of products called AdShields, which provide bollard protection as well as outdoor advertising. AdShields are ideal for promotions or directional signage. Made of weatherproof, stretch fabric, AdShields fit a standard 6-inch pipe bollard and were designed exclusively for use over Ideal Shield bollard covers. They are sold with bollard covers or separately. Options include:

• Custom AdShields: A four-color printing process allows facility operators to create their own marketing messages; ideal for long-term promotions, point-of-purchase sales and advertising.
• Interchangeable AdShields: With interchangeable panels, these allow for flexible promotions and messaging while maintaining a consistent brand design.
• Risk-management and safety AdShields: Operators can choose from hundreds of standard designs carrying safety messages regarding wet floors and other warnings.

Detroit-based Ideal Shield has manufactured bumper-post sleeves, guardrails and handrails since 1996. The company has five manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and is the holder of 43 patents, with another seven patents pending.

OpenTech Alliance Inc., developer of the INSOMNIAC line of self-storage kiosks and INSOMNIAC Live! call-center services, is launching its new ISeries kiosk-management services, including IReplay, IMobile, and IRemote. The new services will allow self-storage operators to manage their businesses from anywhere they have Internet or cellular service. They will be available to all OpenTech customers on the Maintenance and Warranty Services program at no additional charge. 

IReplay allows self-storage operators to see and hear the interaction and experience their customers have when renting a unit. When a customer uses the kiosk, their entire transaction is recorded and stored for review.  The kiosk records the screens as well as the customer and compiles it with the information entered. The IReplay of the transaction is accessed through the online reporting system and can be shared with others via e-mail.  

IRemote allows self-storage operators to help a customer while he is standing at the kiosk. Customers sometimes get stuck during a transaction (typically trying to login to make a payment). IRemote gives operators the ability to see the transaction and where the customer is having difficulty. Operators are able to take control of the kiosk and enter the needed data, adding a new dimension to customer service.

IMobile allows facility operators to use their phone to manage their business. They can view kiosk-transaction reports (including IReplays on phones that support Flash), see when new units are rented or payments are made, change settings, contact technical support, and even control the kiosk in real-time using IRemote.

OpenTechs products and services include seven INSOMNIAC kiosk models ranging in price from $4,900 to $18,000, INSOMNIAC Live!  call-center services, and the INSOMNIAC Self Storage Network for online storage reservations.

A temporary embargo has been enacted on video from a self-storage surveillance camera of a teen burglary suspect allegedly being beaten March 24 by Houston police officers.

The Houston Chronicle and KPRC-TV requested the release of the tape, arguing its airing would not violate the officers right to a fair trial. Chad Holley, who was 15 at the time of the incident, has filed federal civil suits against two of the seven police officers involved.

The surveillance video was taken at an Uncle Bobs Self Storage facility in Houston and shows several police officers using excessive force against Holley and his subsequent arrest. Storage employees gave the video to the district attorneys office and an investigation was launched. Four officers were fired and indicted by a grand jury in June.

Holleys civil attorney, Benjamin Hall, obtained the video last week after subpoenaing Sovran Self Storage, which owns Uncle Bob's Self Storage. District Attorney Pat Lykos and defense attorneys for four of the officers involved have asked for a protective order to keep Hall from releasing the video. A hearing will be held and both sides will have the opportunity to present their cases.

Access Self Storage in Lancaster, Texas, is partnering with the Lancaster Outreach Center to provide school supplies for children living in lower-income communities.

The Lancaster Outreach Center hopes to provide school supplies for 375 local students this year. Supplies are donated by community members or purchased with donated funds.

Customers of Access Self Storage, which operates six self-storage facilities in Texas, also donated to the cause. Access Self Storage then matched the donations. Owner Doug Hunt was ecstatic to see such a response. Small town compassion isnt dead. People are just looking for opportunities to show it, Hunt said.

The Lancaster Outreach Center operates a number of programs benefiting Lancaster and the surrounding areas.

By Christopher Nason and Chris Elam

When the Arcland Group set out in late 2008 to develop a new self-storage facility on a parcel of land in Ranson, W.V., the deck was stacked against them. Just north of downtown Ranson, the proposed site faced the main street of a quaint country town with historic masonry structures. The typical utilitarian self-storage facility would have appeared out of character with community architectural standards.

In addition, the back of the site sloped precipitously away from the street in such a dramatic fashion it seemed unlikely any building would work on the lot. And unbeknownst to the architect and client, the recession was just around the corner, presenting unforeseen financial hurdles to the viability of the project. Thoughtful planning and a flexible architectural design turned the obstacles into opportunities, ensuring Ranson Self-Storages success.

Meeting Design Challenges

The first challenge to overcome was the steep site, which informed all future design decisions. The response to this challenge was a 10-foot-high retaining wall at the front of the site that allowed building to appear as one story from the main street but have a second level below the grade, opening at the rear of the structure. The street facade incorporated architectural upgrades such as split-face concrete block, decorative awnings and a generous amount of storefront glazing.

To construct such a design, the architect and structural engineer designed a stepped-foundation retaining wall of cast-in-place concrete. The harsh look of the wall was tempered at the side by stamping brick patterns onto the surface.  Through careful planning, the security gates were shielded from the street while still maintaining a vehicular access point from the main thoroughfare. As a result, the front office building could be designed in character with the town, and the back buildings could be economical metal structures, appeasing community members and the storage owner.

Typical metal wall panels were still used on the office building to save cost at the side and back, but were designed into the façade to appear seamless to the overall aesthetic. In such a way, potential liabilities like a sloping site and architectural sensitivities became assets to the project.

Economic Hurdles

The second major challenge to the viability of the project came after construction. Because of the flexibility of the design and a responsive management team, the business model was able to evolve as market conditions shifted. Originally, the project was planned as a two-phase mixed-use development with storefront glazing to accommodate retail tenants in the main street building. It was hoped potential business tenants might want to be located on the busy street next to the self-storage offices.

However, as the economy turned, the possibility of rental tenants dried up, and the spaces were converted into sought-after air-conditioned storage units with show doors facing the street. The lost rental income was offset by higher-dollar storage options.

Often the best design is one that leaves room for adjustment on the ground conditions. The decision to build out a site in a couple of phases allowed the management team to delay implementation of the second phase and not overextend themselves in a down market. Thus, the problem of overbuilding and under renting was avoided.

Additionally, the second phase can adjust the unit mix based on the actual demand after the facility is in operation for a significant period of time. Financing future phasesa problem nowwill likely be easier since the banks and lending institutions are more prone to lend money to a proven entity with a track record of success.

With all of the challenges confronted and conquered, Ranson Self-Storage is well-positioned to grow as the economy recovers.

Christopher Nason and Chris Elam are with the architectural firm GMF + Associates. For more than 25 years, GMF has been designing self-storage facilities along the eastern seaboard. The company specializes in multi-story self-storage, adaptive reuse of historic structures and challenging sites. For more information, call 757.498.9800; visit www.gmfplus.com.

The Georgia Self Storage Association (GASSA) will hold a meeting and luncheon on Oct. 12, noon to 2 p.m., at The Vinings Club in Atlanta. The meeting is open to association members and non-members and will include two presentations.

The keynote speaker is Richard B. Arno of Georgia Investor Services. Arno will talk about Financial Planning in Todays Economy, discussing the design and implementation of financial plans for business owners from a variety of investment choices.

A commercial presentation will be made by Michael J. Pontillo, managing partner and a licensed auctioneer with Legacy Auction Services. Legacy is a full-service auction company specializing in self-storage lien sales. The company currently serves more than 125 facilities throughout Florida, Georgia and Texas and will be licensed in additional states soon.

The meeting will also include time for networking as well as a board meeting. RSVPs should be made to executive director Chuck Manley at [email protected] or 678.764.2006.  Additional information can be found at www.gassa.org.

RentPlus, the self-storage management software application produced by Hi-Tech Smart Systems Inc., has been acquired by Centershift Inc., provider of STORE self-storage management software.

The companies long-term plan is to convert RentPlus users to Centershift software and retire RentPlus. For now, Hi-Tech will continue to provide support for RentPlus customers. Hi-Tech and Centershift have created a comprehensive migration process that includes the overnight conversion of data, financial incentives, and learning resources such as employee training, special documentation and informational webinars. Hi-Tech is preparing details regarding the migration for its customers and will soon send a letter outlining the process.

Regarding reasons for the sale, Hi-Tech President Michael Richards said it mostly has to do with ensuring his customers have a software system that will best meet the needs and demands of 21st-century self-storage operators. I believe that only a centralized data model is viable in the long run, mostly because you now need to access that data from a variety of locations and devices, not just the PC sitting in the office, Richards wrote in an e-mail announcement.

With centralized data, a software company is no longer just that. We have to also become an information technology company in order to provide the security, reliability and redundancy that hosting customer data requires. Further, as a centralized system grows, the volume of transactions quickly escalates into the millions, further increasing the demands and responsibilities of the hosting company. This is a great challenge for small software companies, as we generally do not have the resources or capital to invest in the hardware, software and personnel to adequately meet those responsibilities, Richards said.

Based in Salt Lake City, Centershift provides Internet-based management software to the self-storage industry. The company provides management software to two self-storage real estate investment trusts as well as many large ownership and management companies. The centralized database model of the Centershift STORE applications was designed specifically for seamless integration with call centers, websites, corporate offices and other business systems.

San Diego Self Storage is the title sponsor for the sixth annual Nativity Prep Academy Golf Classic. A Day at Maderas Golf Club will be held Sept. 22 in Poway, Calif., to raise funds for at-risk youth enrolled at Nativity Prep Academy.

A donation of $250 per person includes a round of golf, cart rental and a box lunch. Prizes will be given for hole in one, longest drive and closest to the pin. A buffet dinner after the tournament will include a raffle and silent and live auction. Non-golfing family and friends are invited to participate in the cocktail reception and dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m.

This is the third year San Diego Self Storage has served as the events title sponsor. The sponsorship helps the academy raise approximately 25 percent to 30 percent of the schools operational budget, according to storage-facility partner J. Terry Aston.

Founded in 1972, San Diego Self Storage is one of the largest self-storage providers in San Diego County, with a network of 18 local facilities and additional sites in Los Angles and Orange County. The company is locally owned and operated.

Extra Space Storage Inc. announced the company's board of directors has declared quarterly dividends of $0.10 per share per quarter on the common stock of the company for the third and fourth quarters of 2010. The $0.10 dividend for the third quarter is payable on Sept. 30, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Sept. 15, 2010. The $0.10 dividend for the fourth quarter is payable on Dec. 31, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 10, 2010.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates 789 self-storage properties in 33 states and Washington, D.C. The companys properties comprise approximately 510,000 units and more than 57 million square feet of rentable space.