The Future of Self-Storage Audits: AI-Powered Insights

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The Future of Self-Storage Audits: AI-Powered Insights

The self-storage industry is evolving, yet 90% of operators still rely on outdated Word documents and spreadsheets for internal audits. These traditional methods provide little more than static reports—offering no real-time insights, trend analysis, or actionable recommendations. The Storage Business Owners Alliance (SBOA)’s Internal Audit System, powered by Mercantile Systems Inc. (MSI), changes the game by providing instant, filterable, and AI-enhanced data that allows self-storage operators to improve operations with just a few clicks.

Why Traditional Audits Fall Short
For decades, self-storage facilities have relied on manual audit processes that make it difficult to identify performance trends, track compliance, and implement meaningful improvements. Common challenges include:

Data silos – Audits stored in different formats make it impossible to compare performance across locations.

Lack of real-time insights – Spreadsheets and Word docs require manual analysis, delaying crucial decisions.

Missed opportunities – Without predictive analytics, operators react to issues instead of preventing them.

How SBOA's MSI-AI-Powered Internal Audit System Solves These Issues
The system that the SBOA and MSI created is a cohesive, AI-enhanced audit process, making data instantly accessible and ready to be sliced, diced, and trended. Key benefits include:

Instant Reporting – Generate comprehensive audit data in minutes, not hours.

Customizable Filters – Sort audits by region, location, or any other variable to pinpoint trends.

AI-Driven Insights – Detect patterns, auto-train teams, and receive predictive recommendations to prevent issues before they occur.

Check this out… From a Real Audit Information Snapshot
Recent data from an audit from Mercantile Systems Inc.’s SBOA Internal Audit software output highlights areas where self-storage facilities are excelling, based on 300+ audits:

Top Performing Audit Areas:
✔ Rent Roll Accuracy (91.3%) – Teams consistently verify and export rent rolls with accuracy.
✔ Curb Appeal Landscaping (91.3%) – Facilities maintain strong curb appeal standards.
✔ Phone System Readiness (91.3%) – Phone systems are operational and well-maintained.

These high scores reflect a strong commitment to operational excellence—proving that regular audits reinforce best practices across multiple locations.

Where Improvements Are Needed: Addressing Operational Gaps

While the data reveals strengths, it also pinpoints key areas for improvement:

Underperforming Audit Areas:
❌ Septic System Maintenance (45.9%) – Either not being done or poorly documented.
❌ On-File Inspections (49.1%) – Several locations lack required inspection records.
❌ Quarterly Date Validations (51.0%) – A simple check (“is the date current?”) is frequently failed.
These are low-effort, high-impact fixes, making them perfect candidates for targeted training or Just-in-Time AI modules that can flag issues before they escalate.

AI-Powered Audits: The Future of Self-Storage Compliance

Beyond standard reporting, this system integrates AI-driven insights to transform how self-storage operators manage audits. With AI-powered alerts and auto-training tools, facilities can:
✅ Proactively address trends – AI flags recurring issues before they impact operations.
✅ Reduce compliance risks – Automated tracking ensures inspection records stay up to date.
✅ Optimize team performance – AI-driven modules provide real-time coaching for staff.

Conclusion
In an industry where 90% of operators are still using outdated audit methods, MSI’s Just-In-Time Training within the SBOA’s Internal Audit System offers a smarter way to track performance, enhance compliance, and improve efficiency. With real-time data, customizable filters, and AI-powered insights, operators can shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making.

Ready to transform your facility’s internal audits? Contact the SBOA today at https://thesboa.com/vendors/SBOA-Internal-Audit-Systems to see how our Internal Audit System’s real-time, AI-driven insights can elevate your operations.

Written by:

Iris Czygan

President, SBOA

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The Future of Self-Storage Audits: AI-Powered Insights

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