An update from Chris in the UK
About the Author
Chris joined us in 2009 as our United Kingdom technical support manager.
You can get in touch with Chris via our Contact page.
Hi, I'm Chris. As this is my first blog it’s only polite to introduce myself and give a brief outline of my background with computers, StorMan and Self Storage.
Life story in a paragraph: Born and bred in Ipswich, UK. Studied Computing since it was first introduced in schools (showing my age there), then left school to go and study computing and internet technology at Portsmouth university. I then Finished university, moved home and decided to do freelance web-design and computer support for various companies in Ipswich and ended up working full time for one of these companies. The owner decided to buy the warehouse next door which we then decided to convert into a self storage facility, spent a year and a half project managing the conversion getting my hands dirty, lots of blisters and ruined clothes later I found myself in a suit again and using StorMan to manage the business.
I’ve been with StorMan since January 2009, originally to provide technical support with our software for the UK and Europe. Midway through my first year with StorMan my role evolved into attending various trade shows and helping prospective customers choose to use StorMan software.
As I was previously one of StorMan’s customers (when reviewing my choices in self storage software) I am in a relatively unique and privileged position where I can understand the needs of managers in the UK and what they are looking for in software to make running their business easier, and more efficient – whilst making the most of their money.
One of the key deal-breakers for me was that self storage is still a fairly new concept in the UK, compared to the US and Australasian markets - and the few software providers we have here have not got the years of evolution that naturally comes with time and real-world experience. These issues are all so important when you are relying on other people’s feedback and knowledge.
When I first bought StorMan for the facility that I was helping to build & manage, I was expecting to hand over some money and then get a CD - and that would be the end of it. I never expected the first class support and help I received with getting the best out of the software - as well as ideas and suggestions for running the facility in general. Out of all the contractors and companies I had dealt with whilst building a self storage facility, many came, did their job (some were more to manage than others) but out of all them, StorMan is the only one that is still there for them that is still adding new features and methods for making the business provide more revenue.
I’ll leave it as that for my first blog, but feel free to check back as I will be regularly updating on what I have seen and noticing in the UK and any other bits and bobs I feel may be of use to yourself.
Regards,
Chris Corcoran (StorMan UK Sales & Support).
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