StorHub Group invests and develops properties in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. StorHub aim to become the dominant pan-Asian self storage player by capturing the rapid growth of the self storage industry across the key markets in Asia Pacific.

In March 2020, StorHub group explored the possibility of counting on its own Property Management System software to handle every rent in the whole group. Space Next Door, the technical side invested by StorHub group, is the company accepting the challenge.

So, at the end of 2020, the idea of designing and developing a whole PMS became real, based on the need for a better, easier, and more modern solution for a growing sector like self-storage.

User research focuses on understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through observation techniques, task analysis, and other feedback methodologies. As I understand it, user research is “the process of understanding the impact of design on an audience”. Some of the used UX methods:

Due to StorHub PMS's project needs, they required different actions from different people. They could only afford to spend a little time managing old Software where Staff couldn't edit their team members or create championship rounds manually anymore.

Without a clear understanding of what your product does, what problems it solves, or for whom it solves these problems, ultimately, there’s no need for your product. Our goal was to ensure the One Space WebApp solved every daily need for the Self Storage business clearly and simply.

With the proper planning, we could confidently move into creating wireframes for the app. We decided to focus more on the functionality and structure of the app, using Balsamiq and opting for low-fidelity wireframes with very little detail. Ultimately, we could add design elements later. What was important for our users was that the product, above all, was clear and straightforward.

User testing is a technique used in user-centered interaction design to evaluate a product by testing it on users. It can be seen as an irreplaceable usability practice since it gives direct input on how real users use the system. We decided to use this technique in our app with these tasks:

1. Add new Units.
2. Create New Quotations.
3. Issue Invoices.
4. Generate Financial and MK Reports.
5. Manage Online Payments.

One Space was the result of months of research, design, and feedback. A clear commitment to disruption in Self storage software. The PMS One Space software has the well-established foundations to become a benchmark for Self Storage in the coming years.

The self-storage sector deserves to place its user at the center of its applications, and align itself with current technology, beyond being just a means of storage.

The Special Olympics is going to add more integrated sports in organizations all over the world and we'll have a lot of work to do on the application together with FECAM`s new Clubs and Teams. Stay tuned!