E-SoftSys, the provider of Self Storage Manager property-management software, released a new set of applications designed to integrate with its program and run on the iPhone and iPad. The applications allow self-storage owners and managers to access their operational information, analyze data, audit their sites, conduct site walk-throughs and initiate action from these mobile devices.

The iPhone- and iPad-based applications make it easier for district managers to analyze rental activity and conduct site audits while on the move, according to Jeff Anderson, CEO of Stor-All Systems Inc., which operates more than 40 self-storage facilities. Ability to access the CRM data on mobile devices enables prompt follow-ups on prospect inquiries and past-due tenants, he said.

E-SoftSys, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, offers its self-storage software in a Windows-based Standard Edition or Web-based Enterprise Edition for single- and multi-facility companies. The company also offers website design and development services, search engine optimization services, and several add-on modules for its software including a gate interface, a kiosk interface, online reservations, credit card processing and more. E-Softsys software has been implemented at self-storage sites across North and South America as well as Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

OpenTech Alliance Inc., producer of INSOMNIAC self-storage kiosks, released detailed kiosk-usage numbers for the first six months of 2010 to demonstrate how consumers are adopting the self-service channel. It announced that its kiosks have collected more than $38 million in rental fees at self-storage facilities across North America, with more than $9 million collected in the first half of the year.

Self-storage owners have purchased more than 500 INSOMNIAC kiosks to date.  OpenTech reported that 427 kiosks were online as of Jan. 1, 2010, and another 41 came online during the period ending June 30. For the first half of the year, consumers used kiosks to rent 8,778 storage units, make 76,389 payments and purchase 4,652 locks, representing a total of $9,265,998 in self-service transactions.

For the first half of 2010, 47 percent of moves-ins and payments took place outside of office hours. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment at the kiosk, however, the use of cash and checks represents 48 percent in total payments.

OpenTech produces seven models of INSOMNIAC kiosks ranging in price from $4,900 to $18,000. The company also provides INSOMNIAC Live! call-center services and the INSOMNIAC Self Storage Network for online storage reservations.

Wounded Warrior Outdoors Inc., a non-profit organization that provides outdoor-related opportunities to wounded U.S. and Canadian veterans, has launched a new fundraising campaign: One for the Troops.

The fundraiser encourages self-storage operators around the country to donate the proceeds from any size self-storage unit to Wounded Warrior Outdoors. Operators can commit to a single month or make it an ongoing donation, and can choose any size unit.

This is a wonderful charity and will really help these veterans, said Mel Holsinger, president of Professional Self Storage Management LLC. Holsinger also owns Midway Mini Storage in Show Low, Ariz. Hes committed to donate the proceeds from the rental of one 5-by-10 unit for one year to the cause.

Since launching in January, founder Ron Raboud has redirected the charitys goals. Initially launched to honor veterans injured while serving in the military, the organization has since taken on a bigger role in each veterans recovery. Raboud is now working with each veterans rehabilitation team to create therapeutic goals for the veteran.

These trips can be designed to help the veterans get the equivalent of three months of the therapy theyd receive in a hospital setting, said Raboud, CEO of The Rabco Corp., which provides pre-engineered metal buildings for the self-storage industry.

This is a great charity self-storage operators can really stand behind, added Troy Bix, publisher of Inside Self-Storage, a provider of self-storage publications, tradeshows, education and online forums. The donation from just one unit can really make an impact on these soldiers lives.

Wounded Warrior Outdoors covers all the expenses for the veterans trips, including airfare, ground transportation, food and lodging. The goal is to provide outdoor trips for up to 50 veterans every year as funding allows. The trips take place at four diverse locations, including Alaska, Florida and Texas in the States, and British Columbia, Canada.  

To find the right candidates, Raboud works with the patient-advocate representative at two U.S. military hospitals: Brooke Army Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Veteran applications are screened and verified by Walter Reed Army Medical Center, then forwarded to Wounded Warrior Outdoors for final selection.

Since launching in January, Wounded Warrior Outdoors has achieved 501(C)(3) status, making all contributions tax-deductible. This is so much more than just an outdoor trip for these guys, Holsinger said. Were providing them a channel that will aid in their recovery.

For more information about Wounded Warrior Outdoors and the One for the Troops campaign, e-mail [email protected]; visit www.woundedwarrioroutdoors.com .

Lock and Leave, a 50,000-square-foot facility in Cherry Hill, N.J., recently sold in a short sale to Hampshire Cos.

The facility, located just off the intersection of Route 70 and Interstate 295, was sold as a turnkey property. It has yet to open for business. The sale was brokered by Supnick Real Estate Co., a full-service firm offering advisory and brokerage services to the self-storage industry.

Ten days after getting bit by a customers dog while working at Chain Lank Self Storage in Monroe, Wash., Kenneth Bock died from a rare infection sparked by the bite.

The customers coon hound was euthanized three days after the incident. Now the family of Kenneth Bock has filed a wrongful death suit against the dogs owner, Konrad Haskins.

The bite, which was small but did draw blood, contained bacterium which spread quickly and led to organ failure and tissue necrosis, according to Chris Davis, an attorney representing Bock's family. A pre-existing condition may have made the 57-year-old more susceptible, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The family claims Haskins was negligent because it was not the first time Buddy had bitten someone. Police records show Buddy bit another customer at Chain Lake Storage the same day. Neither side agrees where the dog was at the time of the incident. Bocks family claims Buddy was roaming free. Gary Trabolsi, an attorney representing Haskins, insists the dog was sitting in the passenger seat of Haskins vehicle. Bock was bit when he stuck his hand inside the vehicle.

Bocks family is seeking $200,000 to cover medical expenses, and an unspecified amount for damages.

Jennifer LeClaire, president and creative director of marketing-communications firm Self Storage Promotions, will present a seminar on social media at the eighth annual conference and expo of the National Portable Storage Association (NPSA). LeClaire will help educate attendees about business opportunities related to social networking and public relations.

The event will take place Nov. 7-9 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The conference is co-presented by the NPSA and the Mobile Self-Storage Association.

The NPSA is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable-storage industry. It assists members with industry, regulatory and workforce issues, and offers networking, marketing and legislative support at national, state and local levels.

A division of Revelation Media Networks Inc., Self Storage Promotions provides self-storage operators with marketing and communications services including press releases, website creation, event management, facility promotion and more. LeClaire is co-author of the How to Make Money in Self-Storage two-part book series.

Imagine this scenario: A tenant owes several hundred on a space, defaults, and her stuff goes to lien auction. The tenant proceeds to attend the auction for her space, and the auctioneer approves her, so she's officially in the bidding. She bids and bids, hoping to get her stuff back for less than she owes on the unit. Finally, a bid for the amount she owes is offered and the delinquent tenant says, "Stop right there! I'll match the bid and take the stuff!" But the auctioneer keeps going. The woman bids again, more than she owes, but she's still outbid. She eventually wins the unit for more than $1,000 and, angrily, threatens to sue the facility for the difference between what she owed and how much she had to pay to get her stuff back.

The operator, member Jughead on Self-Storage Talk online community, runs a facility in Washington state. This scenario had never transpired there before, and Jughead is second-guessing whether the auction should have stopped when the tenant offered a matching bid. Does the tenant have a legal argument, he wonders?

The responses from other forum members are flowing in. One asks why the tenant was permitted in the auction in the first place. Others argue a different point, claiming all "public" sales must be truly publicthat includes allowing the tenant to attend. Another respondent suggested Jughead implement an auction policy similar to his own: Delinquent tenants are not permitted on the premises or at the auction, but they may send friends as proxies to bid, as long as the proxies obey the rules and do not cause a disturbance.

Later in the discussion, Jughead posted what the facility's lawyer said. Want to read the attorneys statement and see how this situation is being resolved? Have any advice or a similar story to share? Visit the discussion thread, Interesting Auction Incident, What Would You Do? You must be a registered member to post, but the registration process is free and takes only a couple of minutes.

A man was shot and killed Sunday at Jims Self Storage in Melbourne, Australia. Police believe the shooting may be related to the rivalry between the Haddara and Chaouk families. The shooting comes a month after the Chaouk family's patriarch was shot and killed in his backyard.

An unmarked police car arrived soon after the shooting at the self-storage facility, located in the Williamstown Industrial Park. A plain-clothes police officer told witnesses to the shooting to go inside the building. More officers arrived on the scene and drew their weapons as a man emerged from the self-storage facility.

Police took the 60-year-old man into custody. His name and the name of the shooting victim were not released.

The U-Haul Company of San Francisco is offering 30 days of free storage to residents whose homes or businesses were damaged by the San Bruno natural-gas fire.

"This natural-gas fire has caused tremendous damage and inflicted extreme hardship on our community," said Joseph Krueger, president, U-Haul Company of San Francisco. "I hope this effort will provide assistance to those that may truly need a helping hand. We will continue to help our friends and neighbors in this time of need."

In addition to storage, U-Haul also offers the Take a Box, Leave a Box program, which enables customers to return their reusable boxes and allows others to take them as needed for free. U-Haul encourages anyone who has any type of reusable box to drop it off at the nearest U-Haul location.

For more information about the free 30 days of self-storage, contact the U-Haul Company of San Francisco, 415.570.4001. The facility is located at 500 Paul Ave., in San Francisco.