By Hayden Harrison
Over the last 25 years, QuikStor Security & Software has earned a reputation for being a one-stop-shop for high-end software and security products for the self-storage industry. Through innovation and a rich history, the Van Nuys, Calif.-based company provides unparalleled customer service and innovative products to help facility owners generate more revenue and protect their tenants belongings.
Established in 1987 by Dennis Levitt, QuikStor was launched with the goal of providing superior management software to the self-storage industry. Levitt combined his programming knowledge with his experience as a self-storage builder, owner and manager to create the company. It quickly grew into one of the industry's foremost software suppliers.
The Products
In the past few years, QuikStor has aggressively added new products and features to help operators better manage their facilities. Signature products include Guardian access-control systems and wireless-door alarms; SmartClient Enterprise Edition, a program that allows owner's to run their facility from anywhere; and QuikStor OnDemand, an Internet-based program that allows for quick online reporting, data review and remote gate control.
Another highly sought product is QuikStors Express management software, with modules such as the report center and revenue-optimization center. The e-commerce module, which allows tenants to rent and reserve units, make payments, and update their information online, has been revamped with features like auto-billing, instant site notification, and an improved tenant interface.
To keep customers informed, QuikStor provides free monthly webinars to anyone interested in learning more about the company and its products.
There really is no other company in the industry offering a true one-stop-shop for software and security solutions, says vice president Tony Gardner. Since software and security at a storage facility must work so closely together, its no surprise that having the same company provide both means more features, a seamless integration and, of course, a single number to call if you have a question.
Customer Service
Providing the best customer service coupled with innovative technology is not only QuikStor's mission statement, its the practice that has helped make the company successful. This was proven when QuikStor was awarded Best Customer Service in the 2011 Inside Self-Storage Best of Business choice-opinion poll, in which ISS readers voted online for their preferred companies in nearly 30 categories.
From products to user experience, QuikStor fulfills its customers' needs. According to Gardner, its the only company in the industry that offers a modern line of security products seamlessly integrated with state-of-the-art software solutions that continue to pioneer new features and allow facility owners to increase occupancy and revenue.
QuikStors customers agree. Since we started using QuikStor in 1996, the ease of use of the software and the information it has provided have helped us grow from three locations to 13," says Brooks Lumpkin, chief operating officer of Metro Mini Storage in Birmingham, Ala. "New staff can learn the software quickly.
The software itself continues to develop with changes in the industry, and our customers appreciate the speed with which we can take payments and answer questions and problems. The pricing, support, simplicity of the software and communication with the team at QuikStor have proven time and again that this platform is the right place for our company.
QuikStor is excited about the many things to come in 2012, including new products, features and integrations. The company plans to expand features in its popular QuikStor OnDemand Web and Express software products, adding more integration.
Every feature and product QuikStor produces comes from the perspective of owning and managing a site firsthand, not just as a programmer, Gardner says. Because of this distinctive point of view, QuikStor has always led innovation in the storage industry from the first Windows-based management software to an access-control system that can operate independently of the office. Looking forward, were excited to see how QuikStor will change the self-storage industry over the next 25 years!
For more information, call 800.321.1987; visit www.quikstor.com.
