Opreations

Staffing Levels – Quality Stores facilities require only a minimum of staff to operate. Two to three people is the norm at any one time for a 40,000ft2 facility. Whilst opening hours are designed to meet the needs of the storage customer, i.e. generally 8.00am to 7.00pm weekdays with shorter opening times at the weekends – these can be easily accommodated.

Rental Payments are by Cheque as a preference. This not only minimises potential bad debts situations but also assists in ‘customer identity’ ‘intelligence’ and ‘profiling’ – particularly when 24/7 access is in operation.

24/7 Facilities - In some instances, 24/7 access is possible via a ‘Swipe Card Entry System’ – these systems are designed to allow a card holder to access their storage unit via a given route within the building, activating the corridor lighting and inter-locking doors, all specifically associated with the pedestrian route within the building the user would take to his unit.

Customer Car Parking – Vehicle and Pedestrian traffic during normal day-to-day business is also very low. To illustrate this, for every 2000ft2 of storage space only one car park space is needed.

Fork Lift Services – business customers naturally prefer ground floor storage units for receiving and despatching their goods via a FLT. Not all facilities have a fork lift on site however which often makes offloading difficult whilst one is sourced. Your industry will of course benefit from already having this equipment on site.

Utilities – the costs associated with the provision of the various Utility Services required is comparatively low. This is particularly so when compared to other types of business using a similar size of warehouse building. I.e. Electricity usage is used only for PIR controlled lighting, which is activated only when a pedestrian is within range. Emergency lighting systems, CCTV cameras and monitors, other office
equipment such as computers and printers etc. Gas and water usage are minimal.

Security – CCTV systems provide an all-round constant visual over what activities are carried out within the facility. Not only providing cover for out-of-hours, if provided, but also observing customers bringing and taking away their storage items, noting their observance of the standard house rules relating to not leaving items along the corridors and creating potentially hazardous obstructions.

Facility Software Management systems enable facility operators to quickly ascertain the level of occupancy at any given time and to allow them to provide their customer with the optimum level of service in identifying an appropriate storage unit. Furthermore, to assist in the production of customer documentation not only at the point of sale but also to produce invoicing, statements and other accounting
procedures and customer records.