WORKING REMOTELY AND UTILISING CLOUD SOFTWARE

The pandemic, government restrictions and social distancing rules are changing daily and can confuse staff and clients. By implementing and enabling remote access, owners can still operate and adhere to the changing guidelines without affecting operations.

As a result, storage facilities with remote access can ensure continuity to a facility’s operations.

We spoke with three SSAA Service Members who work and help the industry with remote access.

WHAT IS REMOTE ACCESS?

Remote access has been around for a long time and is widely used in the IT world. It was primarily used by IT departments in large corporations or by IT services to help small businesses troubleshoot issues.

IT departments were able to assist employees and customers when they had computer issues. They did this by remotely connecting (or logging in) to their computers to see what they are seeing and take control of the computer itself.

Ben Parsad from PTI believes the major growth in this industry is due to the availability of high-speed internet through out residential, major cities and rural areas. This has now enabled numerous services and applications to utilise remote access via the internet which has brought remote access out of the backroom and made it available for everyday applications. The facts are that many sites often go days without seeing anyone come into the store. That can be attributed to the development of websites and the technology to pay their storage bills online combined with the ease by which new storers can browse for sizes and prices, making navigating the current crisis that much easier.

Dallas Dogger from R6 Digital says “I reckon self storage has always been mostly a ‘contactless’ business, with the advent of technology, it’s only the coronavirus that has highlighted it.”

These are the applications storage facility owners are using technology for:

Security and Access

l Access to CCTV cameras to view and monitor activity remotely via mobile app or laptop. l Receive notifications from the office alarm system to alert you when there is an intruder or break into the office premises. l Via a mobile phone app, facility owners can view customer access, open gates to allow customer entry. l Enable customers to use mobile phone apps to access the storage facility l Plus it gives owners and staff the ability to access the whole portfolio of storage facilities from one remote location.

Storman Software has always believed technology should make running your business easier and today more than ever, it’s all about making sure your business continues to run. l Working remotely: Cloud based software can be accessed from anywhere eliminating the need to be physically on-site. l Contactless online move-in: Give your prospective customers the ability to choose a unit and move-in from your website without meeting face-to-face. Have a deposit taken to secure the transaction with an online signature of the contract. l Contactless payments online: Integrated into your website, keep your cash flow high by utilising an easy, no-contact solution that keeps both your customers and employees safe. Alternatively, enable BPAY in your software to provide a further convenient way to pay. l Making it easier for your staff: Set-up automatic overnight processing to generate your invoices and send key notices to your customers via email and SMS.

l Automatic payments: Once setup, it’s ‘set and forget’ for you and your customers to automatically debit payments from credit cards or bank accounts. l Communicating with your customers: Send bulk emails and/or SMS to your customer base letting them know important information about your facility.

With the capabilities of accessing services remotely, this can also apply to daily operations, where a site can be unstaffed and run from the comfort of your home with management software.

Dallas Dogger has found that some of the people in self storage that defended not putting prices online may now find a slow down in the rate of move-ins. Online shopping spiked over 30% higher in March 2020, and many sites reported an increase in online traffic as a result of forced isolation by consumers.

Dallas’s view is that these circumstances will bring a new source of online business to self storage operators, and if you’re not getting your share, you should contact the SSAA technology suppliers listed. They are all able to help you get more online business. l

Many thanks to the contributors of this article: Duncan Clarke General Manager Storman Software Benjamin Parsad General Manager PTI Australasia Pty Ltd Dallas Dogger | Chairman Centreforce Technology Group Pty Ltd (continued from page 13)

l Business groups with annual Australian wages of up to $4 million will receive a six month payroll tax waiver. l Business groups with annual Australian wages above $4 million that can demonstrate they have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 will, upon application, be able to defer payroll tax payments for the six months from April to September 2020. l Eligible non-residential and residential landlords will receive up to 25% land tax waiver on their 2019-20 land tax liabilities for properties leased to tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Northern Territory

Eligible businesses will be able to apply for two payments: l an immediate survival payment of between $2,000 and $50,000 to help offset the immediate cost pressures on businesses l a rapid adaption payment of between $1,000 and $5,000 to help businesses make the necessary changes they need to help adapt to the new operating environment.

Tasmania

l Payroll tax liabilities will be waived for hospitality, tourism and seafood industry businesses for the last four months of 2019-20. l Other businesses with payrolls of up to $5 million will be able to apply, based on the impact of virus, to have their payroll tax waived for April to June 2020.

Banking Association response

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) says all small businesses affected by COVID-19 will be able to access a sixmonth deferral of all loan repayments.

Australian Taxation Office Relief

To assist businesses (including sole traders) experiencing financial difficulty as a result of COVID-19, the ATO are implementing the following relief options: l Payment deferrals - You may be eligible to defer some payments by up to six months. l PAYG instalments - Taxpayers can vary their PAYG instalment and can also claim a refund for any instalments made for the September 2019 and December 2019 quarters. The ATO won’t apply penalties or charge interest to varied instalments for the 2019–20 financial year. l Remitting interest and penalties - If your business is affected by COVID-19, the ATO will consider remitting interest and penalties incurred after 23 January 2020. l Low interest payment plans - ATO are offering low interest payment plans. One thing is certain, this current crisis will end and each day that passes brings us closer to that end. l

For more personalised advice and recommendations please contact Bishop Collins – Chartered Accountants on the following link: bishopcollins.com.au or email justonjirwander@bishopcollins.com.au