The Real Cost of Using Keypads and Kiosks for Storage Access Control
Key takeaways
Keypads and kiosks are outdated and expensive to maintain
Limited tracking and poor visibility for operators
Hardware failures lead to ongoing costs and frustration
Sentry Solo replaces hardware with a cloud-based, QR-code system
Keypads. Callboxes. Kiosks. Still the Best We’ve Got?
For decades, they’ve been the face of self-storage access control.
Some now have touchscreens. A sleeker look. But beneath the glass? It’s the same old hardware.
Wired. Clunky. Expensive to install. Even more expensive to fix.
In a world of mobile-first, cloud-based tech—why are we still relying on this?
Here’s why these systems are falling short—and what’s replacing them.
1. Installation Is Expensive and Invasive
Every keypad or kiosk comes with infrastructure demands. Think:
Trenching across your property
Running wires to each entry point
Coordinating with electricians and contractors
And if you ever need to move a gate or expand your facility? More trenching. More wiring. More costs.
Even adding a second entry point means doubling those expenses.
2. You’re Tied to On-Site Hardware
Keypads and kiosks aren’t plug-and-play—they need local servers or computers to manage access.
That means:
Buying expensive equipment
Hosting servers onsite
Maintaining a fragile, physical system
If that local server goes down? Your whole access control system goes down with it.
Even newer “cloud-connected” systems often aren’t truly cloud-based—they depend on a local server that merely pushes updates online. You’re still locked into hardware that lives at your facility, vulnerable to failure.
3. Limited Tracking and Visibility
One of the biggest problems? You don’t really know who’s coming and going.
Keypad and kiosk systems have limited tracking capabilities:
Shared access codes make it impossible to know who’s using them
Systems may only log basic code entries, not individual users
Data is stored locally, hard to access remotely
In other words: operators lack real-time insights and detailed entry records. You can’t confidently track tenant activity or unauthorized access—and that’s a major security blind spot.
4. Maintenance Never Ends
Keypads and kiosks live outdoors, exposed to heat, cold, rain, and wear. No matter how sturdy they seem:
Screens crack
Buttons stick
Circuit boards fry
Wiring corrodes
When something stops working? Someone has to go onsite to diagnose it—and you foot the bill for repairs or replacements.
And no matter how new your equipment is, it’s only a matter of time before it needs service again.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
You don’t have to keep paying for trenching, replacing keypads, or rebooting local servers.
You don’t have to wonder who’s really coming and going—or rely on equipment that fails when you need it most.
There’s a better way.
What if access control didn’t rely on hardware at all?
No keypads.
No kiosks.
No onsite servers.
Instead: a simple sign with a QR code, powered entirely by the cloud.
When tenants arrive:
They scan the QR code with their phone
A virtual keypad opens—no app required
They enter their unique code, and the gate opens
No hardware to install.
No maintenance calls to make.
No uncertainty about who’s using your codes.
All managed remotely. All tracked in real time. Everything at your fingertips, from anywhere.
That’s the difference with Sentry Solo.
While traditional systems tie you to hardware, wiring, and limited tracking, Sentry Solo delivers true cloud control, complete visibility, and zero maintenance headaches.
The Future of Access Control Is Hardware-Free
Keypads and kiosks aren’t built for the modern self-storage operator.
Sentry Solo replaces outdated hardware with a simple, cloud-based solution—eliminating maintenance, cutting costs, and giving you full control from anywhere.
Ready to upgrade? Learn how Sentry Solo can simplify access control for your facility
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