In Lebanon, Ore., a 60-year-old woman is facing financial crime charges after allegedly stealing more than $53,000 from Highway 20 Mini Storage between April 2022 and March 2024. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rosemarie T. Hill, who had been the manager of the self-storage facility for about a decade and lives in a residence at the business, for two counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Theft in the First Degree, Forgery in the First Degree, and one count of a Computer Crime. The owners of Highway 20 Mini Storage reported the theft to the police this spring. Investigators served a search warrant and seized financial records for the facility. After examining the financial records and comparing them with records from the bank, investigators determined that Hill had altered customer payments and deposit receipts using the business’ computer. Hill allegedly spent the money on personal expenses and gambling.

Storage Asset Management (SAM) successfully launched its inaugural SAM Shark Tank event on Oct. 15, 2024. This exciting new initiative, inspired by the popular television show “Shark Tank,” was designed to cultivate a culture of innovation by encouraging SAM team members from all levels to pitch their ideas to SAM’s executive team. In keeping with SAM’s commitment to diversity of thought, the SAM Shark Tank event aims to provide a platform for all team members to contribute creative solutions to enhance the company’s operations and services. SAM recognizes that great ideas can come from anyone, regardless of department or tenure. The SAM Shark Tank event, which will be held every six months, allows participants to present 15-minute pitches after vetting their ideas with their supervisors. At the first event, four employees showcased their innovative concepts: Maura O’Leary, business systems analyst, presented a proposal for rounding up rents for donations to charities; Belinda Jones, training specialist, pitched a new approach to merchandise planograms designed to optimize product placement and increase customer engagement; Hayden Scheuerlein, assistant manager at Storage Sense in Romeoville, proposed customizable unit options for business storage tenants; and Cecelia Scalfaro, assistant manager at Storage Sense in Doylestown, suggested implementing text payment options for tenant convenience. Scheuerlein and Scalfaro have been with SAM for less than four months, demonstrating the company’s ability to integrate and empower new team members. All four ideas are currently under development for implementation in some capacity.

My Storage Group, a self-storage operator with 11 facilities across Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona, has achieved improvements in tenant satisfaction and facility protection since deploying StorageDefender Smart Units in 2021. My Storage Group reported a 71 percent tenant smart unit conversion rate, 90 percent tenant advocacy for smart units, $170 to $250 lifetime revenue increase per tenant, and 100 percent decrease in break-ins. For an in-depth look at My Storage Group’s success with Smart Units, download the full case study at storage-defender.com.

On Oct. 10, during its annual conference and tradeshow in Stockholm, The Federation of European Self Storage Associations (FEDESSA) announced the winners of its 2024 European Awards. Of the six awards presented, Storeganise was bestowed with the Innovation Award. This recognition was awarded for Storeganise’s groundbreaking Add-ons marketplace, which is revolutionizing self-storage operations. The Add-ons marketplace gives operators the power to integrate their favorite tools, automate tasks, and fully customize their systems—all with just a few clicks. Powered by Storeganise’s Open API, it lets you tailor the platform to fit your business, making it easier to streamline operations and scale efficiently.

6Storage has announced a strategic partnership with Apoorva, a leading technology investment company specializing in transforming and rebuilding SaaS platforms, to enhance technological innovation within the self-storage industry. Through the collaboration, they are developing 6Storage 3.0, a self-storage management software that’s set to launch in early 2025. Suitable for operators of all sizes, this new version will feature advanced data architecture, enhanced APIs, and improved online rental capabilities. For existing clients, 6Storage promises a seamless migration to the new platform, ensuring a smooth transition and access to its latest innovations.

Charity Storage recently announced that Cornerstone Insurance Producers (CIP), a specialty managing general agent (MGA) that offers tailored insurance solutions, has become an annual sponsor with a generous donation of $5,000. Cornerstone, the exclusive MGA for the SBOA Tenant Insurance program, sponsored Charity Storage to help expand the self-storage industry’s philanthropic efforts and make a greater impact beyond the insurance programs they offer.

Following Hurricane Helene, which generated heavy rainfall, a massive storm surge, flooding, power outages, and infrastructure disruptions, Storelocal Storage offered two months of free storage to victims in Tennessee to assist them as they work to rebuild their lives and homes. The two facilities that extended these services were the Hillview Avenue and Rutledge Parkway locations in Knoxville. In addition to Storelocal Storage, U-Haul provided 30 days of free storage to new customers impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The second offer began just prior to Hurricane Milton’s arrival to also help those who needed storage to prepare for the storm. All 14 U-Haul Companies with operations in Florida made their 172 centers available to offer the disaster relief program, including several companies in southeastern Florida that were outside the impact zone of Helene but impacted by Milton.

Vantiva recently launched the Vantiva IoT Commercial Gateway, a network infrastructure solution designed specifically for commercial properties such as self-storage facilities, multifamily housing, hotels, and retail buildings. This new gateway delivers site-wide connectivity with triband Wi-Fi 6E and five different IoT radios, offering a secure and future-proof foundation for Vantiva’s Smart Spaces solutions. The Vantiva IoT Commercial Gateway is an all-in-one access point with both wired and wireless network access, featuring wired WAN and LAN ports and powerful triband Wi-Fi 6E. The Vantiva IoT Gateway leverages EasyMesh v.R5 for simple, scalable mesh network deployment, while Full Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) ensures reliable, long-distance building-to-building Wi-Fi connectivity. The gateway supports private and Guest SSID networks, simplifying secure network access for guests and employees. It features an array of IoT radios with built-in support for leading 2.4GHz and sub-gigahertz protocols, as well as three software-programmable IoT radios to support additional protocols. These high-performance Wi-Fi and IoT radios and associated RF and antennae designs allow signals to travel longer distances and penetrate steel, concrete, and other traditional commercial building materials, providing uninterrupted connectivity for critical applications like access control, security, video, monitoring, presence detection, thermostats, and more. The Vantiva IoT Commercial Gateway, which can be deployed indoors or outdoors, features an IP65-rated enclosure and has been rated for operation in temperatures ranging from negative 40 degrees to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The included mounting kit allows installation on a wall, ceiling, or pole. Optional PoE makes it easy to extend power to any location. The gateway integrates with Vantiva Smart Spaces cloud-based software solutions such as Vantiva Smart Storage (VSS), which provides comprehensive tools for self-storage remote site management, monitoring, and revenue-generating services. Vantiva’s cloud-based connectivity solutions empower businesses to improve security, optimize operations, and offer technology-based customer experience enhancements.

Arizona updated its self-storage lien law so that facility operators who discover a vehicle in a defaulted unit can remove it via a towing company rather than go through the complexities of selling it at auction. The addition to House Bill 2087 (HB2087) took effect on Sept. 30. The towing provision is applicable when a self-storage tenant is in default for more than 30 days and their property includes a vehicle, watercraft, or trailer. The facility operator must send the customer a notice at least 10 days prior to towing, including the towing company’s name, address, and phone number, while offering the renter a deadline to resolve the default. Once the property is removed, the operator is no longer liable to the tenant or any other claimant. HB2087 passed in April by a bipartisan vote in the Arizona legislature following a collaboration between Triadvocates, dedicated lobbyist of Arizona Self-Storage Association (AZSA), and the national Self Storage Association (SSA), which met with legislators to advocate for the revision.

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc., continued its partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) for the seventh consecutive year. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SmartStop donated $5 to BCRF for every new unit rented throughout October, supporting critical breast cancer research advancement. Since the beginning of this partnership in 2018, SmartStop has contributed more than $195,000 across its operations in the U.S. and Canada. These donations have been instrumental in advancing critical research, such as clinical trials, the acquisition of advanced research equipment, and the support of dedicated research personnel. As the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation leads groundbreaking initiatives, including research focused on metastatic breast cancer, and is the highest rated breast cancer organization in the U.S. In 2024 to 2025, BCRF is investing $70.3 million in annual grants to more than 260 scientists from top academic and medical institutions around the globe. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org.

Storeganise and Calcumate concluded a partnership agreement in which Storeganise became the first global self-storage software company to integrate Calcumate, a 3D storage calculator/size guide, deeply into its quote/rental flow. Calcumate functionality is available to both new and existing Storeganise customers. With Calcumate’s unit size guide, Storeganise can enable prospective customers to effortlessly and accurately calculate the storage unit options that will fit their belongings, ensuring prospective tenants can quickly, easily, and correctly choose the size that’s right for them. Calcumate also displays an animated 3D visualization, showing exactly how their things will fit inside, so that they can gain even more confidence in their size decision and see exactly how to pack everything in. The integration of Calcumate into Storeganise’s rental flow has been carefully designed to ensure that only those prospects who are unsure of their size requirements need to use it. More details of the integration are available on Storeganise’s website storeganise.com/calcumate.

Charity Storage had another successful Paws & Relax event at the SSA 2024 Fall Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Thanks to the event’s generous sponsors (SSA, SmartStop Self Storage, and Steel & Metal Systems), Charity Storage and Michael’s Angel Paws engaged with self-storage professionals to raise awareness for the important causes they champion. Michael’s Angel Paws received $4,000 in unrestricted funds for the second consecutive year to support their dog training and therapy programs. Building upon last year’s success, this year’s Paws & Relax event offered self-storage professionals an opportunity to relax, unwind, and recharge through complimentary pet therapy sessions, massages, and a wellness area to rehydrate. This initiative not only gave attendees a break from the hustle and bustle of the conference but also offered attendees a chance to learn more about Michael’s Angel Paws and how this Nevada-based nonprofit supports individuals with various needs through the training of service dogs. To learn more about Michael’s Angel Paws and their incredible work, visit www.michaelsanglepaws.org. Additional details on Charity Storage can be found at charitystorage.org.

On Sept. 24, Manhattan Mini Storage (MMS) unveiled a new mural at its 541 W. 29th Street location. Painted by artist Millo, the mural was curated and produced by nonprofit organization Street Art of Mankind to “highlight the importance of urban ecosystems and the urgent issue of climate change in support of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.” It is one of four created by Street Art for Mankind in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Javits Center as part of their Climate Action Outdoor Museum. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the mural and interact through their smartphone with the Street Art for Mankind’s free mobile app, Behind the Wall®. The app is available on the Play Store and App Store and functions as an audio guide, allowing the public to embark on an art walk through Hudson Yards as if they were in a museum. Users can listen to officials and experts discuss the issues at hand, hear artists speak about their work, and learn how they can take action to address these challenges. Visitors are also encouraged to share their visit to the mural on social media using the hashtag #climateactionmurals. To learn more about Street Art for Mankind’s outdoor museum, visit streetartmankind.org/climateactionnyc.

The Justice Department recently announced that Morningstar Storage, which manages and operates a network of self-storage facilities in the southeast area of the United States, agreed to pay $130,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by failing to obtain court orders before auctioning the contents of at least three storage units owned by active duty servicemembers. According to the complaint, an Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed at MacDill Air Force Base rented a unit at a facility in Tampa, Fla. On the storage agreement, the Staff Sergeant indicated that she was in active military service, provided contact information for her military unit and authorized rent payments to be made automatically. Shortly thereafter, before being deployed overseas to Jordan, she stored most of her household goods at the Tampa facility, including her military awards and coins and her children’s toys and keepsakes. While the Staff Sergeant was still deployed to Jordan, Morningstar acquired the Tampa facility, stopped her automatic payments, and auctioned all the contents of her unit for $390. The SCRA provides financial and housing protections and benefits to military members while they are in military service. One of the SCRA’s protections requires anyone holding a lien on the property of a servicemember to obtain a court order prior to auctioning off, selling, or otherwise disposing of that property. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Morningstar will pay the Air Force Staff Sergeant $80,000 in damages and will pay $5,000 each to two additional servicemembers. Morningstar has also agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States and must also implement new policies to prevent future violations of the SCRA. This lawsuit resulted from a referral to the Justice Department from the U.S. Air Force. The department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Since 2011, the department has obtained over $481 million in monetary relief for over 147,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, visit www.servicemembers.gov.

Advertising technology startup Adverank LLC, a company that offers digital advertising tools for customers in the self-storage industry, plans to hire 37 new employees and stands to receive up to $800,000 in state tax credits for doing so. Currently, the startup, which calls itself “The 800-pound gorilla in self-storage,” has just four employees. Launched in 2022 in Zionsville, Ind., Adverank’s software is designed to help self-storage customers become more effective and efficient in digital advertising, offering advertising suggestions to improve the occupancy rate at self-storage locations. Adverank CEO and co-founder Jason Zickler has previously been involved in founding or leadership at several other Indianapolis-area tech-marketing firms, including Mix, LiveLink, Pathway Productions, and Versomedia. The tax credits are performance-based, meaning that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will award incentives to the company only after it meets hiring goals. IEDC incentives agreements typically specify a deadline for companies to meet their job-creation commitments to reach the full incentive payout, but the IEDC declined to disclose the deadline for Adverank. The contract with Adverank has not yet been posted on the IEDC’s website.

Storage Authority LLC has launched a free land review program. The goal is to assist potential developers, investors, or owners who own a piece of land or vacant building determine whether self-storage would be a viable option, or if they should consider retail, warehouse, or another type of structure. Storage Authority states that the free consultation is worth $1,000 (a full industry feasibility report can cost as much as $8,000 with no guarantee that the project will be a success). Storage Authority, which is headquartered in Sarasota, Fla., began in 2016, when self-storage veteran Marc Goodin and Garrett Byrd partnered up to develop a first-of-its kind business: self-storage franchise. Today, Storage Authority earns $39 billion a year in revenue and remains the only franchise available in the United States.

Yardi has been named on Forbes’ 2024 Cloud 100 list, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world that is published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures. Yardi was a member of the inaugural Cloud 100 in 2016 and is ranked 36th this year. The Cloud 100 reviews submissions from hundreds of cloud startups and private companies. The Cloud 100 evaluation process involves ranking companies across several factors, including market leadership, operating metrics, and people and culture. The 2024 Forbes Cloud 100 is published online at forbes.com/cloud100 and appeared in the August/September 2024 issue of Forbes magazine.

Five people were arrested and counterfeit goods worth more than $5.3 million were seized from self-storage in an intelligence-driven takedown operation conducted by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit in South Africa. In a statement on Sept. 5, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the unit and other stakeholders will remain relentless in efforts to disrupt and dislodge illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband goods. Arrests were made on Aug. 16, Aug. 25, Aug. 29, and Sept. 2. Items seized on those dates include counterfeit clothing and sneakers worth over R37 million in a self-storage facility in Gauteng’s Doornfontein; counterfeit goods that included sneakers, clothing, watches, and backpacks worth more than R41 million at a shopping center in Bellville, Western Cape; counterfeit sanitary pads, deodorants, and other consumables worth over R4.8 million at a self-storage facility in Mayfair, Johannesburg, plus consumables worth over R9.3 million and branded packaging, labels, machinery, and other equipment used to manufacture counterfeit goods at a small facility in Bredell, Kempton Park, Gauteng; and counterfeit shoe polish, deodorant, toothbrushes, and other consumables worth over R2 million at a self-storage facility in Bonaero Park, Benoni.

Janus International has introduced Nokē Ion, the latest innovation in its smart entry suite. Nokē Ion is a locking system that can transform any facility’s protection while seamlessly integrating with the Nokē mobile app and Bluetooth fob. Nokē Ion offers enhanced security by being installed inside the door track for enhanced protection. The technology enables users to achieve up to a 95 percent reduction in theft and break-in claims. The product includes customizable options like LED lights and motion sensors and creates automated efficiency through automated lock checks, streamlined online rentals and mobile move-ins, and more. To learn more about Nokē Ion, visit www.janusintl.com/noke-ion.

In September, after more than three years of intensive software engineering and real-world testing, QuikStor released its new self-storage management software, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history and reflecting a renewed commitment to innovation under its new ownership. The journey to this software began in 2021, when Brett Henry and John Koudsi, owners of Trojan Storage, an independent operator, recognized the need for a better software solution. With the goal of building a system based on the best practices of industry experts and designed to empower storage operators to run their businesses more effectively, the duo acquired a controlling interest in QuikStor and initiated the multimillion-dollar investment. Built by a collaboration of storage and technology experts, the software offers unparalleled scale, speed, and configurability. It empowers self-storage operators to manage their businesses on their terms, setting a new standard for the industry. Designed to meet the demands of modern operators, it delivers the tools and flexibility needed to optimize operations and drive success in a competitive market. For more details, visit quikstor.com.

StorSuite’s Storage Shield, the tenant protection suite, has launched a new claims portal, a first-of-its-kind digital solution that allows customers to file and manage claims directly from the Storage Shield website. Designed to streamline the traditionally manual and time-consuming process of filing claims, the claims portal offers customers a seamless and user-friendly experience. With just a few clicks, tenants can submit claims, upload necessary documentation, and access the claims portal 24/7. StorSuite has also unveiled StorPass Alerts, an innovative product designed to transform tenant communication and enhance protection for self-storage operators and their customers. StorPass Alerts Version 1.0 includes features like pop-up push notifications, short code SMS alerts, and updates throughout the claims process. Additional details can be found at storsuite.com.

OpenTech Alliance now holds 100 percent ownership of StorageTreasures, which hosted nearly 500,000 storage auctions in 2023. OpenTech has committed to simplifying and reducing risks related to the lien sale process for self-storage owners while enhancing auction technology. Plans include improving automation, driving more sales, and reducing operator risk. For more details, visit opentechalliance.com.

StorageDefender Inc has announced the launch of its new brand, +VisualVerify, a system that integrates image capture sensors and cameras for self-storage applications. This solution supports remote operations and enhances Smart Unit and Smart Zone offerings. For more information, visit storage-defender.com.

Self Storage Manager (SSM) has launched the SSM Web Platform, a fully integrated website solution for SSM Cloud users. The platform offers seamless integration with SSM Cloud, allowing real-time updates for facility and unit information. It provides SEO-ready tools, marketing attribution, and easy management for self-storage websites. Learn more at selfstoragemanager.com.

Tenant, Inc. has launched Charm, a new Call Management System integrated with Hummingbird Property Management Software. Charm offers PCI-compliant payments, lead generation from non-customer calls, and centralized call management for self-storage operators. For more information, contact the Tenant, Inc. sales team at tenantinc.com/contact-us.

StorageDefender has released its Web Management Portal (SD WMP 3.0), a third-generation smart software platform designed to streamline operations, improve visibility, and enhance revenue management for self-storage businesses. For more details, visit storage-defender.com.

XPS Solutions has integrated live video support services for self-storage facilities, leveraging partnerships with KISS and LiveSwitch. These services include remote management, tenant support, and face-to-face communication via video gateways. Learn more at xpsusa.com.

StoreEase has launched the Virtual Counter 3 (VC3), powered by the Virtual Management Operating System (VMOS). VC3 features advanced lead management, alert prioritization, and multi-sensor people detection, optimizing revenue and customer service for self-storage operators. For more information, visit storeease.com.