FOCUS STORAGE
With so many options available on the market,
here are five key things that we advise to look
for when choosing the optimal storage solutions
partner.
Proven asset lists
Any successful storage partner will assist in
putting together a comprehensive asset list. They
should have a proven track record in running
digital audits and maintaining an online inventory
of everything in storage, taking the hassle of
doing so out of your hands.
Flexible leasing
It makes no sense to store something for so long
that you end up paying more in storage than you
would to simply replace the item in question. Yet
it can be equally diŽ icult to determine what sort
of length of time this might be. Thankfully, many
storage partners work with their customers to
determine a logical target date. Once that date
arrives, they should contact you to check if they
want to continue storing some or all of their items
or look for alternative arrangements.
Security services
It is highly likely that a company will be storing
some extremely expensive and/or important
equipment, from furniture to IT equipment to
critical company records and documentation. It is
therefore imperative that your storage partner has
a proven security record and protocols in place.
Some desirable assets on this front include gated
facilities, CCTV and modern alarm systems, as
well as physical security. In fact, some providers
that store multiple containers for a client will dot
those containers around a site, so if the worst
does happen, such as a fire, it’s less likely that a
single client will lose all of their belongings.
Appropriate equipment
Purchasing or hiring crates, cages, skates,
transport vans and more vital equipment
needed to successfully complete a move can get
expensive – yet another key benefit of working
with an oŽ ice relocation specialist is that they
should already have the required equipment.
Specific items to look for also include anti-static
bubble wraps for computer monitors, steel roll
cages that can protect expensive equipment, and
the use of security seals to ensure that valuable
equipment remains safe.
Insurance
It is critically important to check that your
storage partner is insured and compliant with key
industry regulations and standards in the event
that your items may be damaged, or a security
incident occurs. It is also worth requesting a
condition report before items are placed into
storage.
Moving is never an easy endeavour. However, a
complete storage and relocation services partner
can eliminate the stress involved by dealing with
the diŽ iculties directly.
By following these steps and taking the right
considerations, you will not only safeguard your
assets, but ease the process of relocating and
reduce the potential of wasting vital financial
resources. In every sense, storage must be treated
as a strategic decision.
42 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022
STORAGE FOR
SMALL SPACES
When working from home it’s important to choose the right kind of storage furniture to
ensure that nothing work related gets mixed up with domestic paperwork and that a
home worker’s house isn’t overrun by storage furniture more suited to an o ice.
The DURABLE trend paper ‘Working in small spaces’ advises that portable furniture and
organisation tools that you can use at home and move into a corner are the most eŽ icient way
of keeping your work-related items to hand but without dominating your place of residence. A
range of shelf or cabinet furniture is ideal. For instance, a mobile multifunctional trolley which
can be moved into place during the working day and stored eŽ iciently in the corner come the
evening is a good choice. The firm also supplies
a range of varicolor drawer boxes and storage
trays which are designed to keep documents and
utensils organised, while blending in perfectly to
a living environment.
Another sensible and low-cost option is by
installing simple shelves in your home, which can
serve a dual purpose: as a partition between the
living and oŽ ice area, and as storage for books
and ornaments on one side, and folders and
documents on the other.
And for those home workers who have the
space to install their own desk, the MultiDesk
from Bisley oŽ ers users space and storage in
one, with everything they’ll need to hand. With
a multitude of sizes and styles to choose from, a
home worker can really make the most of their
space.
Finally, for a variety of home-based storage
solutions, Ikea is a good choice. The Swedish
brand oŽ ers a range of small storage boxes that
fit neatly onto its wider range of storage options.
It all comes in a mix of materials and textures
– all of which can be wall mounted to save on
precious home oŽ ice space.