Space utilization is one of the most important decisions a business must make. Document storage and office clutter are the best examples of needs for expansion. Decisions regarding personnel, production, office equipment, inventory, records retention and accessibility impact a company's profitability. Off-Site storage may be the answer for cost effective space utilization. Consider the facts: Typical commercial office space, in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, leases for $20-22 per square foot, according to Al Shipps, Lund Company. Off-site storage space leases for $0.30-$1.00 per square foot, according to industry information. Economically, off-site storage offers the best value per square foot.

Generally, there are two types of off-site storage companies: (1) self storage facilities (i.e. Budget Storage and U-Haul Mini Storage) and (2) mobile storage facilities (i.e. Mobile Storage Solutions and P.O.D.S.) Each offers unique advantages to businesses of all sizes.

Traditional self storage facilities offer garage type storage units. Sizes range from 5'x5' to 20'x30'. Customers lease the storage units on a long or short term basis. Many facilities offer climate controlled settings (preferable for some types of inventory and document storage). Other advantages include controlled security fences, 24 hour access, on site management, and boxes and packing supplies.

Companies must consider the additional costs of self storage in order to accurately evaluate its cost effectiveness. Cost considerations include: personnel needed to pack and transport items to the storage facility, truck rental and frequency of item retrieval. Typically, a cost-benefit analysis of these factors indicates off-site storage is more cost effective than leasing additional commercial space.

Mobile storage companies are a new and innovative approach to self storage. Originating on the west coast, mobile storage has expanded throughout most of the country. Mobile storage companies offer a door to door service not available through traditional storage companies. The companies deliver a storage unit directly to the customer's location. Although the units may be smaller than those available through traditional storage companies, the convenience and monthly lease rates offset any perceived disadvantages.

The storage unit is loaded according to the customer's needs and schedules. Once the unit is loaded, the mobile storage company returns the storage unit to a secure, climate controlled warehouse. Other advantages of mobile storage include: no leaving the office to deliver items to the storage facility, no truck rental, eliminates half the loading and unloading time. Many mobile storage companies offer low cost delivery for high turnover inventory or document retrieval.

Off-site storage may be the solution to your space utilization needs.