How a Canadian Self-Storage Facility Reduced Access Control Costs with Sentry Solo

The Property Profile: A New Self-Storage in Canada

When a brand-new self-storage facility was being planned in Canada, the owners envisioned a modern, convenient, and secure space for their customers. However, as they delved into the practicalities of setting up gate access, they hit a significant roadblock: every traditional system they explored came with a hefty price tag and operational demands that just didn't fit their vision for a streamlined, self-service business.

The Big Problem: Costly Hardware, Complex Installs, and Staffing Nightmares

As opening day approached, the owners quickly realized how challenging it was to keep upfront costs low without compromising on essential security:

• Expensive Keypads and Intercoms: Traditional solutions meant shelling out thousands for hardware – from gate keypads to intercom boxes and complex wired controllers. Installation alone threatened to eat a massive chunk of their budget.
• Wiring Headaches: Running power and data lines to the gate area was anything but simple or cheap, especially given the property's layout and the Canadian climate. Digging trenches and laying extensive infrastructure seemed unavoidable.
• Unnecessary Staffing: Many systems assumed someone would always be on-site to buzz visitors in or reset codes if customers locked themselves out. Hiring staff 24/7 just to monitor a gate was out of the question for a lean, modern operation.
• Maintenance Worries: More hardware meant more things that could break. And customers needing quick access to their units couldn't afford to wait for a broken keypad to be fixed.

The owners knew they needed a system that worked flawlessly without expensive hardware, didn't demand constant staff supervision, and would keep maintenance headaches to an absolute minimum.

The Game-Changing Solution: Sentry Solo — 100% Software, 0% Hardware Headaches

After carefully weighing all their options, the facility chose Sentry Solo, Gate Sentry’s innovative hardware-free access control solution. With its SentrySign and VirtualKeypad features, the owners found exactly what they were looking for:

• Absolutely No Hardware to Install: Forget bulky keypads and intercoms. A simple sign displaying a secure QR code replaced all the cumbersome equipment. No digging trenches, no running complex wires – just a straightforward setup.
• Truly Self-Service Operation: Customers simply scan the sign with their phone to open the gate instantly. There’s no waiting for staff, no fumbling with codes – just seamless, direct access whenever they need it.
• Remarkably Low Startup Costs: By completely sidestepping hardware purchases and their associated installation complexities, the facility saved thousands upfront. This meant they could open their doors on time and comfortably within their budget.
• Zero On-Site Monitoring Needed: Customers manage their own access. This freed management from the burden of constantly monitoring the gate or dealing with common issues like forgotten access codes.

The Happy Ending: Open for Business with Zero Hardware Worries

Thanks to Sentry Solo, this new Canadian self-storage facility now provides incredibly simple, secure access for all its customers and guests, completely free from the headaches associated with old-school hardware. The results speak for themselves:

• Thousands Saved on Installation: No gate keypads, no intercoms, and no extensive wiring to buy, install, or maintain.
• No More Staff Scheduling: The entire access system runs itself, empowering customers to handle their own entry and exit effortlessly.
• Always Up and Running: With no physical keypads to break or weather-damaged intercoms to worry about, the system is reliable. It’s just a durable QR sign and robust, cloud-based software.
• Delighted Customers: Easy, anytime access directly from their phone has quickly become a major selling point and a huge convenience for the facility’s happy customers.

“We were shocked at how much money other systems wanted us to spend on hardware and installation. Sentry Solo did exactly what we needed — secure access with no extra equipment or staff to manage. We couldn’t be happier.”