Automated self-storage reservation and management system

An automated self-storage management system for enabling a user to conduct self-storage transactions, the system comprising:

• a business network of a plurality of self-storage facilities, wherein the user is personnel of each self-storage facility and uses the business network to access inventory information and customer information of the plurality of self-storage facilities to generate reports for managing the operation of each self-storage facility;
• a server having a room inventory database and accessible to the user via a computer-terminal coupled to the server, wherein the user inputs the inventory information into the room inventory database via the computer-terminal and an inventory information capture and the user accesses the inventory information pertaining to self-storage units located in the plurality of self-storage facilities of the business network;
• the server accessible to the user via the computer-terminal coupled to the server, wherein the user inputs the customer information into the server via the computer-terminal and a customer information capture and the user accesses the customer information pertaining to customers of the plurality of self-storage facilities of the business network;
• wherein one or both of the inventory information capture and customer information capture include information for managing the operation of the plurality of self-storage facilities, including information on revenue, cash summaries, unit availability, facility utilization, reservations, open contracts, rent rolls and credit card information;
• and
• the server having a rental transaction feature in communication with the inventory information capture and customer information capture and accessible to the user via the computer-terminal coupled to the server,
• via the rental transaction feature, wherein the user creates a rental agreement using the inventory information and the customer information, and wherein the rental agreement involves a plurality of self-storage units.

An automated self-storage management system for enabling a user to conduct self-storage transactions, the system comprising:

• a business network of a plurality of self-storage facilities, wherein the user is personnel of each self-storage facility and uses the business network to access inventory information and customer information of the plurality of self-storage facilities to generate reports for managing the operation of each self-storage facility;
• a server having a room inventory database and accessible to the user via a computer-terminal coupled to the server, wherein the user inputs the inventory information into the room inventory database via the computer-terminal and an inventory information capture and the user accesses the inventory information pertaining to self-storage units located in the plurality of self-storage facilities of the business network;
• the server accessible to the user via the computer-terminal coupled to the server, wherein the user inputs the customer information into the server via the computer-terminal and a customer information capture and the user accesses the customer information pertaining to customers of the plurality of self-storage facilities of the business network;
• the server having a rental transaction feature in communication with the inventory information capture and customer information capture and accessible to the user via the computer-terminal coupled to the server,
• via the rental transaction feature, the user creates a rental agreement using the inventory information and the customer information, wherein the rental agreement involves a plurality of self-storage units, and
• the server having a reporting feature in communication with the inventory information capture and the customer information capture and accessible to the user via the computer-terminal coupled to the server,
• via the reporting feature, wherein the user extracts and analyzes the inventory information from the room inventory database pertaining to self-storage units located in the plurality of self-storage facilities of the business network and extracts and analyzes the customer information from the server and generates reports using the analysis of the inventory information and the customer information for managing the operation of the storage facility, including reports for revenue, cash summaries, unit availability, facility utilization, reservations, open contracts, rent rolls and credit card information.