If you’ve ever had to use a storage facility of any kind, you know that it can be incredibly inconvenient. Business owners may have to spend more time and energy on relocating important items they need as soon as possible. If you’re planning to organize your living space, the idea of moving all your belongings can be an overwhelming thought.
Thankfully, on-demand storage services can alleviate a lot of the stress that comes with moving personal belongings. Here’s everything you need to know about on-demand storage services for business owners and everyday people.
What is On-Demand Storage?
In summary, on-demand storage refers to the process of picking up and delivering one’s goods and services. On-demand storage can be used by businesses and everyday individuals for a variety of different purposes. You may be a college student in transition in between homes. You may be a small business owner with a surplus of items. You may simply be interested in organizing your personal space.
Regardless of purpose, on-demand storage is all about affordability, convenience, and organization. There are several benefits that come with on-demand storage, with many of them relating to the ease of having items delivered directly to your requested location. On-demand essentially acts as a valet storage, protecting your belongings at a separate storage facility and bringing it back to you when requested.
Self-Storage vs On-Demand Storage
Unlike full-service storage facilities, self-storage requires individuals renting out space to be completely responsible for their items. Self-storage typically involves a monthly payment and complete access to their storage unit with coinciding security systems. Compare this to full-service storage where people have limited access to their belongings.
Self-storage can be convenient for people who want complete access to their storage or don’t have as many belongings that require intense warehouse services. However, when paired with on-demand storage, full-service storage facilities can be just as convenient, if not more. Instead of having to move all your belongings by yourself, on-demand storage can conveniently transfer your items for you.
Benefits of On-Demand Storage
Organization
One major advantage of using on-demand storage services is the opportunity to reorganize your living space and/or business. Although self-storage also gives people the chance to relocate items they don’t need, on-demand storage provides the added convenience of delivery services. Plus, paired with full-service storage facilities, you’ll be able to relax knowing that your belongings are completely managed by on-site staff.
Convenience
Convenience is becoming an increasingly important asset for many individuals. Thus, on-demand storage services are perfect for people interested in relocating personal or business-related belongings. Similar to a valet service, using on-demand storage services means your items are picked up and delivered to your requested location. It’s incredibly easy to schedule your delivery and an experienced team of professionals will move your items safely.
Affordability
Despite what it may seem, on-demand storage services are a very affordable alternative to self-storage. With on-demand storage, you only pay for the services you request during the specified time of delivery. You have the option to choose a storage unit that matches your item inventory, allowing you to save money on space. Plus, some on-demand storage services even provide reusable packing materials as an added convenience.
Safety
It’s understandable to be concerned about the safety of your personal belongings with on-demand storage services. When you’re relying on others to pick up, deliver, and manage your items, it’s normal to feel uncomfortable. However, the best on-demand storage services take every precaution necessary to keep your belongings safe. This usually includes surveillance footage, inventory checks, and experienced team members in charge of your delivery.
Time Management
Relocating personal items takes a lot of time, work, and materials. Depending on how many items you have, preparing all of your belongings and moving them to a new location can take a whole day, sometimes more. This may not be as much of an inconvenience for people who use storage for organization reasons. But, for business owners, having extra time to focus on their company related duties may make a significant difference in their productivity.
Flexibility
One of the greatest benefits that come with on-demand storage is the amount of flexibility that comes with the services. There’s a lot of room for adjustment when it comes to the amount of materials you’d prefer, the level of service you request, and the items that you’d like. You have the freedom to select what time your items are delivered and where they’re relocated. For example, if you’d like to swap out your halloween decorations with your winter holiday decorations, your on-demand storage services can do that for you.
Sustainability
On-demand storage services are not only convenient, they’re also sustainable. Self-storage often requires the use of temporary, cardboard boxes and packing materials. When these are no longer needed, they’re discarded and difficult to break down for recycling. On-demand storage services can offer customers reusable bins and packing materials to reduce your carbon footprint.
Who Can Benefit from On-Demand Storage?
While there are specific details about the service that may appeal to some people more than others, anyone can benefit from on-demand storage. There’s a common misconception that it’s a service primarily utilized by businesses. While businesses can certainly benefit from its services, everyday people can use on-demand storage.
For example, businesses can use on-demand services to store important documents, extra furniture, and inventory items. Students can use on-demand storage services when they’re back home from school or in transitionary periods. Otherwise, families and other individuals can use on-demand storage services to reorganize their homes and free more living space.
Businesses That Benefit From On-Demand Storage
Retail
Growth is an inevitable part of running a retail business. However, paired with the high-paced environment of retail, inventory management will become an essential part of running your business. On-demand services can become very convenient when you need to free up space in a short amount of time or retrieve inventory from items in storage. This can ensure that your items are placed in a secure location and available for you whenever you need them.
Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical companies greatly benefit from the assistance of on-demand storage services. It’s incredibly important to make sure that prescriptions medications and supplies are transferred in a safe and timely manner. In compliance with the prescription drug marketing act of 1987, prescription medications need to be stored in climate controlled spaces to prevent contamination or premature expiration.
Sales
If you work in the marketing, sales, or advertising business, paperwork and promotional materials can pile up fast. This can make it difficult to keep all of your work related information stored in your home. However, by utilizing on-demand storage services, you can keep your paperwork organized, safe, and conveniently located whenever you need it. On-demand storage services allow you to focus on your clients over organizing endless amounts of paperwork.
Why Should Businesses Utilize Warehouse Facilities With On-Demand Storage?
Shipping Efficiency
E-commerce sites like Amazon have created high customer expectations when it comes to shipping. When customers are used to 1-2 day delivery shipments, they begin to expect the same service from all businesses. However, that may not always be possible, especially if you’re trying to run a small business. However, on-demand storage services may help you improve shipping efficiency and increase overall customer satisfaction.
Improved Budget
It’s much less expensive to rent out space than building your own distribution centers and warehouse facilities. On-demand storage can increase affordability since it’s an as-needed service as opposed to a recurring monthly rate. The combination of rented out full-service warehouse storage along with on-demand services can significantly improve your business’s budget.
Logistical Services
Using a full-service on-demand storage facility automatically comes with logistics. Warehouse logistics refers to the organization and management of business inventory. Logistics services oversee the shipping and receiving of your goods within the warehouse facility. This means that you can focus on improving your business while logistics managers oversee all the products coming in and out of the warehouse facility.
E-Commerce Optimization
As mentioned previously, e-commerce has continued to increase in demand. More companies are beginning to rely on digital forms of commerce, but this can be difficult to keep up with, especially if you’re a smaller business. However, consistent transfers of goods provided by on-demand storage paired with a well managed warehouse facility can help you completely optimize your e-commerce store.
Inventory Management
As a business owner, it’s very important to keep up with your inventory and implement a proper management system. Whether you have a new product coming in, there’s a change of seasonal goods, or you’re updating your stock, keeping track of inventory can significantly improve your business. On-demand storage services can make sure there’s a consistent flow of inventory coming in and out of your rented space in the warehouse facility.
On-Demand Storage Options for Businesses
Archives
Although many businesses are beginning to switch to completely digital forms of storage, it’s possible that you may still have piles of paperwork sitting around your home. It can be convenient to have a safe, designated storage area for important documents that pertain to your company. Plus, many warehouse facilities that also offer on-demand storage services include climate-controlled spaces, meaning your paperwork won’t be exposed to potential damage.
Seasonal Items
You may run a business that includes a specific inventory of seasonal items. For example, many retail businesses won’t need summer items in the middle of winter. Instead of displaying beach themed decorations during peak winter months, you can temporarily store them away until the following summer. In summary, storing away outdated items can help improve business organization.
Office Furniture and Supplies
The great element about storing office supplies is its ability to be used for the company or for personal use. There are lots of items that can pile up in an office building between furniture, extra supplies, and paperwork. As a business owner, having a designated storage facility for all your office needs can greatly improve organizational efficiency. For personal use, supplies that aren’t required right away can be stored in a safe and climate-controlled environment.
Leveraging On-Demand Storage Services
Upon reviewing this information, the question remains: what can on-demand storage services do for you? This greatly depends on how you plan to use these services and what kind of items you’d like to store. For business owners, finding a way to leverage on-demand warehouse services will be an essential part of your management strategy.
OnDemand Storage
On Demand Storage prides itself on offering some of the best self-storage and full-service storage facilities in the Boston area. As our name suggests, our on-demand storage services include pickup and delivery, conveniently relocating all your requested belongings whenever you need them. Contact us to learn more about our incredible pickup and delivery services!
