Ji Jack:

He makes some good points. A lot of it is rubbish as well. Our industry is like others with software vendors out there trying to peddle old software as new.

Some of the existing products dont even work on Vista. Its been around for 18 months and some still don't get it. Thats waht you get some times with software in a box.

They make their money out of you the day you pay.

I use WEB based software every day in my business. Franky I can download a copy of my data anytime I want. Frankly I am happy its on a server under a mountain somewhere. Its fair better security than most Self Storage sites who do a backup and throw it in the top drawer!

I use both types WEB based and PC based installed. If you dont like WEB software just stop paying for it. And if you think you own the software in the box on your desk, I suggest you get out the licence and read it cover to cover.

You might be surprised at what you find...

When you buy a car, as soon as you drive it out of the drive its old tech. Now they might do a few updates for you, but don't expect it to be up to date in three years time.

If you want better economy and more room etc you have to update. Rental based software delivers just that. They are working on updates all the time and in my experince every version is better. It has to be or NO PAY.

They will live and die based upon their updates and new features. Unlike other vendors who deliver you a version, don't update it and even when they do they shag it up. They have little to loose other than your support revenues. and once thet loose that your stuffed.

I have used salesforce.com to run my business for 2 years. It costs me about 4k a year. In the time I have used it:

+ It runs fast on any computer
+ I can access it anywhere I feel like
+ It always works
+ Its the laterst version
+ I use new features to make my business run better

As far as I am concerned, software is like any other business tool. Do I want to own it? No not really, I just want to pay to use it. That way if something better comes along I can change if I want.

Often Self Storage operators compare the cost of standard software versus the annual charge. This is hardly a fair comaprison. One is updated regulary the other isn't. Add support fees and updates and you get much closer.

As far as Self Storage softeare goes the guys with the WEB based products are leading the industry as they have to. They have to deliver every month.

And let me tell you something else. Todays Web based Self Storage software is a LONG way better than some existing offerings.....

And more importantly it will be be better again next month. And I am happy to pay for that.