Strategic storage

STRATEGIC STORAGE

There are many considerations that should be taken at this stage, including the cost of storage, the length of time an item will be left in storage, and the cost of a new or replacement item should you opt not to keep the old one.

Some companies may be tempted to continue storing items in their old workplace for the sake of convenience, yet this is a highly uneconomical approach, with office space costing considerably more per square metre than warehouses or dedicated storage units.

Take location, for example. Those companies based in city centres may find cheaper storage opportunities a few miles away.

Firms should also create a digital list of their assets that can be updated in real-time (and ideally including images), taking note of the condition of each item before it leaves a site or goes into storage. This will ensure it is easy to identify when assets have been lost or stolen, with a proven and traceable record.

The challenge with these endeavours, however, is that many firms won’t have the time, ability or funds to tick such boxes.

Moving large assets long distances may prove extremely difficult for a company lacking in transport options. Equally, making a digital list of assets is desirable, but a highly time-consuming process.

FIVE THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A STORAGE PARTNER

It is for this reason that firms often opt to partner with a dedicated storage and relocation services provider that has the experience, expertise, knowledge and tools to deliver as needed.

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 difficult 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 office 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 difficulties 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.