Over 70% of businesses with access control systems report less than five major security incidents per year.
If you want to keep your self storage facility secure, protect your tenants’ belongings, and enhance your customer experience, you need to consider smart access control.
The system you choose is one of the most important decisions you will make when setting up your self storage facility.
However, with so many smart self storage access control systems available today, how do you choose the best one for your facility?
In this guide, we’ll explain what you should consider before investing in an access control system and recommend our favorite solutions.
What Is Smart Self Storage Access Control?
Smart self storage access control is a security system that regulates and monitors who can enter and exit your facility and individual storage units.
It ensures that only authorized tenants and staff members can access your property, protecting stored belongings from theft, damage, or unauthorized entry.
Access control systems range from simple keypad entry gates to sophisticated cloud-based software integrated with security cameras, mobile apps, and remote monitoring.
The Key Components of a Self Storage Access Control System
Now that you know what a smart self storage access control system is, let’s look at its key components:
🔐 Perimeter security and entry points
The first layer of security in a self storage facility is controlling access at entry and exit points. Here’s how these systems work:
➡️ Automated gates and doors: Facilities commonly use electric gates, sliding doors, or roll-up doors that open when an authorized credential—like a PIN code, key fob, or code—is provided.
➡️ Keypads and card readers: Tenants enter a unique code on a keypad or scan an access card to gain entry.
➡️ License plate recognition (LPR): Some advanced systems use LPR cameras to allow registered vehicles to access without needing a code.
➡️ Biometric entry: High-security facilities may use fingerprint or facial recognition for identity verification.
🔐 Individual unit access control
Beyond facility-wide access, many storage operators enhance their security by controlling entry at the unit level using the following:
➡️ Smart locks: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-enabled locks allow tenants to unlock their units via their smartphones. Currently, over 40% of businesses actively use mobile devices for access control.
➡️ Electronic keypads: Tenants enter a code to access their specific unit.
🔐 Cloud-based access management
Many self storage businesses use cloud-based access control systems to manage their security remotely. There are two main features to this:
➡️ 24/7 remote monitoring: Operators can track who enters and exits the facility in real-time.
➡️ Automated access rules: You can program different levels of access for customers, employees, and contractors.
🔐 Security and monitoring enhancements
Self storage access control systems often work in tandem with security features such as cameras, motion sensors, and alarm systems to provide extra protection. In fact, 54% of access control technologies integrate with video surveillance.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Smart Self Storage Access Control System?
There are several benefits to having a self storage access control system, including:
✅ Improved security: These systems restrict access to authorized people only, reducing theft and vandalism.
✅ Enhanced customer experience and convenience: Mobile and keyless entry options make access hassle-free for your tenants.
✅ Automated billing and access management: Late-paying tenants can be automatically locked out (known as overlocking).
✅ Remote monitoring and management: Facility owners can track entry logs and control access from anywhere. Nearly half of businesses have access control systems in place to monitor buildings throughout the day.
✅ Audit trail and access logs: You can keep records of all access activities for security and disputes.
✅ Reduced staff requirements: Self-service access means fewer on-site personnel are needed.
✅ Integration with other security features: These systems often integrate with CCTV, alarms, and motion sensors for added protection.
Types of Self Storage Access Control
There are hundreds of gate access systems across various industries, all designed to grant physical entry via a code, fob, or other authentication methods like ANPR, cards, or QR codes.
For this guide, we’ll focus on access control systems built specifically for self storage.
These systems are better suited because they address industry-specific needs like overlocking and tailgating. They also integrate with self storage management software.
In self storage, access control systems typically fall into a few categories:
⚙️ Shared gate access systems
These are systems that open the main point or points of entry and will open a shared gate.
Sometimes, they will also open additional internal doors or gates, such as roller shutter doors or secondary gates.
The customer must use an additional lock to secure their unit in these systems.
⚙️ Shared and individual access systems
These systems control gate access plus the individual storage unit door or doors related to a specific customer.
The customer does not require an additional lock to secure their unit as a lock is already built in.
⚙️ Padlock management systems
Padlock management systems are designed to help operators manage padlocks at their facility.
These systems can either involve manually tracking physical padlocks with spreadsheets, or they can be more advanced using RFID tags or Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled locks to provide remote access.
Types of Gates That Integrate with Self Storage Access Control
Self storage facilities use different types of gates to control access and integrate with smart access control systems. Here’s an overview of each type of gate:
👉 Swing gates
These operate like a standard door, swinging open and closed on hinges. They can be single leaf, meaning they have one panel or double leaf, which includes two panels opening outward or inward.
Swing gates are best suited for low-traffic facilities or locations with large entry areas.
👉 Vertical-pivot gates
Vertical-pivot gates lift vertically at an angle and are ideal for high-traffic storage sites or facilities with limited side space.
👉 Slide gates
These move horizontally along a track or cantilever system, which means they don’t need ground tracks to operate. They’re the most common type of gate used in self storage due to their space efficiency.
7 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Smart Entry System
The type of system you choose will determine your ability to offer flexibility around access to your facility and how you operate your business. It will affect things like:
Letting customers access the facility outside of staffed hours.
Letting new customers move in (or out) themselves when there are no staff on site.
How customers gain access, like through an app or PIN.
Upselling additional access hours.
How you overlock customers who aren’t paying (manually or simply lock them out).
Being able to do remote tours when there are no staff on site.
The self storage software options you can use.
Choosing no access system—or the wrong one—early on in your project can mean you either have limitations to what you can do as the business grows or you might have to replace it at some point in the future.
The increase in remotely managed and automated self storage facilities has made smart entry systems even more critical for remotely managed sites. Getting the right access system can directly impact your bottom line, even for staffed sites.
How to Pick the Best Access Control System for Your Facility
Now that you’ve learned about the different smart entry options available, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you decide if a system is for you:
Do you want to control access from anywhere?
If you want the benefit of not being physically on site to give access, smart locks are the suitable solution.
They enable you to give and revoke access as required. It also means you don’t have to visit a facility again to overlock a unit manually.
Do you want to eliminate the need for forgettable codes?
It’s easy for customers to forget codes. In that scenario, they can only contact you or your staff to regain access, eating up valuable time.
App-based access is an alternative that helps with this. It means that customers just have to remember their phones to get access. If they get logged out and forget their password, it’s entirely in their control to reset it and regain access.
Do you want to give facility access to new online bookings automatically (without having to be on-site)?
The only way to provide access automatically is with a smart entry system. These systems can be integrated with self storage software to automate this process completely.
Stora gives you a website with an industry-leading online booking flow. When website visitors book, Stora can automatically reserve a unit for them.
On their move-in day, it will then communicate with the smart entry system you've chosen to auto-sync the customer with their unit and generate unique access information. It then digitally sends the access details to the customer automatically.
Payments are then collected automatically on a billing cycle of your choice. If the customer cancels their subscription, their unique access is revoked on their last day, giving you a fully automated smart access system.
Do you want to automatically lock out customers who fail to pay?
Most smart entry systems will let you manually lock out customers as required. Some providers only work with your main gates, while others will lock customers out of every door, including the one on their unit.
To automate it so that later payers are automatically locked out, you will need to use a self storage access control software platform like Stora.
This will let you choose how long after a payment fails a customer's access is revoked. It’ll also send your customers emails with a link to pay online and instantly restore their access.
Do you want to control who has access to your facility and units?
Most facilities have numerous gates or doors that may need to be opened to access stored items.
The most secure way to do this is to offer each of your customers a method of access that is unique to them.
For example, a unique code or account is associated with a smartphone app. This way, you know who is using which code and when.
Unique digital access controls mean you don’t have to share one code for a main self storage gate or copies of a key. You can individually turn off access to specific people at any time—perfect for customers who have moved out.
Do you want visibility on who accesses your facility, when, and how often?
It’s hard to know precisely who is accessing your facility without a smart entry system. To do so requires on-site staff or CCTV.
With a smart access system, you get a complete log of who accesses your facility thanks to unique controls attributed to them. You also get data on the times of day and how often they visit.
This data can be further used to help your business to spot when customers might be getting ready to move out based on their visits.
For example, if you notice that a tenant has been visiting your facility more regularly than usual, it might indicate they’re moving out, and you might lose them as a customer. This insight allows you to take a strategic approach to retaining that customer and reducing churn.
What level of access security do you require?
Traditionally, the self storage industry has been a case of standard locks and customer padlocks. Unfortunately, it’s possible for these to be broken.
Electronic locks are different. These locks are built into doors, meaning there isn’t the same physical component that can be tampered with, increasing security.
Each provider has different approaches to security, so review each one to decide which matches your criteria.
How much are you willing to pay?
The upfront investment required in an access control technology solution is more than that required by traditional access control methods.
However, you must consider more than just the initial cost. The potential long-term savings of a smart entry system and unique benefits can be worth it in the long run.
Smart entry systems reduce the hours staff are needed on-site, saving you costs and resources.
Additionally, smart entry opens up new avenues previously unavailable to operators. It makes it easier to automate access management, sales, and security, removes the need for staff, and gives you data that previously would have been extremely time-consuming to gather.
It also opens up the possibility of same-day One Minute Move-Ins.
Consider how these unique benefits will impact how you run and market your business. For example, will it give you a unique selling point compared to competitors approaching things more traditionally?
You could use the idea of fast move-ins in your slogan or marketing materials, suggesting to potential tenants that they can book a self storage unit and move in within minutes.
The Best Smart Self Storage Entry Systems
Let’s take a closer look at some of our top nine recommendations for smart access control systems:
Nokē Smart Entry
Nokē is a smart entry system from Janus International, who also do fit-outs. Nokē locks can be installed at the shared entry doors and on unit doors.
This is a popular solution amongst Stora customers, especially those wanting to install cutting-edge locks into every unit.
Your customers access the facility using a mobile app from Nokē, which they get a link to download. Nokē also has a movement-based sensor alarm for inside units, which connects to the operator app to alert them if there are any security issues.
Listen to an in-depth conversation with the Nokē team and Stora CEO Gavin Shields about how it works on the Self Storage Explained podcast.
BearBox
BearBox is a popular smart entry system across Europe, the Nordics, and the UK. Its biggest selling product is a gate access control system that supports gate codes, ANPR, and QR codes.
The product won the Innovation award for a new two-factor (2FA) authentication system that provides additional security to your facility. They also have a unit door system installed in sites around Europe.
Listen to the Self Storage Explained podcast episode with James from BearBox to learn more.
PTI Security Systems
PTI Security Systems is used in thousands of sites worldwide and has been on the market for over 20 years.
With a wide range of solutions, including shared entry solutions, door entry locks, Bluetooth padlocks, and a sole focus on self storage, PTI is always worth checking out when considering a smart entry system.
Check out a discussion about how PTI's smart entry options work on the Self Storage Explained podcast.
Sensorberg
Sensorberg is a very popular solution across Europe and provides a smart entry solution for shared entrances, unit doors, lifts, and more.
They can be fitted during the initial installation or retrofitted to existing units, so they’re ideal for updating an existing facility from padlocks.
Sensorberg comes with a branded app for your facility and a back-end system to monitor entry at your facility.
Listen to our discussion with Sensorberg about how it works.
SpiderDoor
SpiderDoor is a popular and low-cost option, with over 6,000 locations already using it across the U.S.
SpiderDoor offers reliable, secure access control with both cellular and internet-connected keypads, seamless integration with management software, and an easy installation process, all backed by dedicated support.
Listen to our discussion with SpiderDoor about how it works.
OpenTech Alliance INSOMNIAC CIA
OpenTech is a U.S.-based business that has recently entered the UK, Nordic, and European markets, signing up European self storage giant Shurgard as a customer.
With various technology solutions, OpenTech is an innovative provider of smart entry solutions.
Sedisto
Sedisto is a new European-based entrant focused on smart entry for self storage facilities. They have an innovative range of shared entry and unit entry solutions.
Listen to our conversation with sedisto about how it works on the Self Storage Explained podcast.
Paxton Net2
Paxton Net2 is a networked access control system designed for centralized building security management.
It allows administrators to monitor and control access across multiple doors and users from a central location using one or more computers.
It supports up to 1,000 doors and 50,000 users, making it suitable for various facility sizes.
Learn more about how Stora integrates with Paxton Net2 on our integrations page.
Doorking
Doorking offers telephone entry systems, gate openers, access control systems, and traffic control products.
Its access solution is ideal for medium to large spaces that want to remain operations across multiple locations.
With Doorking, you can create a customized access control system tailored to your security needs.
Integrate Your Self Storage Access Control System with Stora
Smart self storage access control systems open up new ways to automate your business, increase your profit margin, and compete with existing facilities.
The best smart entry systems integrate with robust self storage management software, like Stora. Doing this lets you fully automate access control and ensure your business operates smoothly without even being on site.
Book a Stora demo today to learn more about how our software seamlessly integrates with access control technology, payment processing platforms, space calculators, accounting systems, and more.
