I was recently asked by SMARTBOX Corporate to contribute to our blog.  If you’re reading this, you know the address already.  Corporate Web Logs are becoming more and more prevalent these days. Some of the largest companies in the world are blogging.  According to Technorati the top 10 Corporate Blogs as of May 2008 are:

1. Google – Shocker, I know!
2. O’Reilly Media
3. Yahoo Search
4. Tom Peters Company
5. Ask.com
6. Adobe Software
7. General Motors
8. Sunbelt Software
9. Thomas Mahon
10. The Otter Group

The reason I point out the top 10 blogs above is that it’s interesting in that they are not necessarily the ones you would expect.  Some are obvious – Google and Yahoo.  But some of the others I’d venture to say are blogs for companies and/or people from companies you’ve never heard of.  I know that’s a safe statement on my end.  So how does this all fit in to SMARTBOX and our Corporate Blog?  Hopefully this Blog will become – over time – a useful resource of information regarding the Portable Storage (and storage in general) industry along with tips on moving, packing, organizing and the like.  There are so many resources out there it’s hard to know what’s valid and what isn’t.  Rest assured, if it says SMARTBOX, it’s legitimate.  Greg Kaufman SMARTBOX Chicago – Owner

SMARTBOX of Tidewater, Hampton Road’s premier provider of portable self self storage, is proud to have teamed with the United Way of Hampton Roads to assist the victims of the tornado that struck Suffolk, VA in late April.  The storm, rated an EF-3 category tornado, produced winds of up to 135 miles per hour leaving a trail of wreckage and debris in its wake.  An estimated 200 people were injured by the storm which flipped cars and destroyed at least 13 homes in its path.  SMARTBOX was on the scene soon after, ready to provide aid and support to those misplaced.  With the help of the United Way, SMARTBOX responded with over 100 portable storage containers.  These units will be used for on site storage for personal belongings and relief aid.  SMARTBOX also has a national contract with the American Red Cross, a name synonymous with disaster relief.

If you are moving, have a plan in place for when your Smartboxes arrive with your belongings.  In order to prevent chaos and clutter, have a strategy in place when you begin to empty your storage containers.  The garage is the easiest area to neglect when moving into a new home.  Unless you plan on parking you vehicle or vehicles in this space, the garage tends to be a dumping ground for objects or boxes with no clear place inside the house.  Be prepared with a systematic process for organizing objects that have been reserved to garage storage and have them stored together in one Smartbox.  Before you begin to unload this designated pod, make sure that the floor surface and walls are clear before you proceed.  It is much easier to lay a new epoxy layer to the floor before it is covered with your “stuff.”  Also, have shelves or areas in place for storage of specific articles or belongings.  Managing the move will become much easier and less stressful with a plan of action in place, and you will find yourself with more storage area and mobility with an organized new garage.

If you are a homeowner, you know that clutter is almost impossible to avoid.  Whether it’s the attic, the garage, the kids’ rooms or your living room, at one point you will realize that the clutter is overtaking your house.  As Spring Cleaning time approaches, try a new strategy guaranteed to get you and your house organized.  That is where SMARTBOX comes in.  SMARTBOX will deploy as many units you deem necessary to tame your clutter problems.  For quick decluttering, store the SMARTBOX or SMARTBOXES on your property, allowing you to sort through the items that must go, and the priceless items that you could never possibly throw away.  If your clutter problem is more severe, or you happen to be a packrat incapable of disposing of your TV Guide collection, send your fully loaded SMARTBOX unit back to our climate controlled storage facility where it will be safe and secure until you build that extra wing to your house or find a suitable buyer on eBay. 

SMARTBOX portable storage containers are becoming very popular due to their ease of use, convenience, affordability, and reliability. One of the most important factors to consider about these storage units is their level of protection from damaging elements.

SMARTBOXes are constructed from wood, which helps protect items inside from changes in temperature and humidity. Rising humidity can create condensation inside storage containers made from different materials, such as metal. This condensation can then cause water damage to stored belongings. To ensure no water can enter the SMARTBOX, the wood on the bottom is pressure-treated. This protects any groundwater from damaging your stored contents. The SMARTBOX is also covered with a heavy-duty water-proof cover to keep out rain.

There are virtually limitless ways to use portable storage units to your benefit. Due to their easy ability to be delivered, picked up, and transported, these containers can be an innovative solution to numerous problems. The containers can be used to transport specialty equipment for many different kinds of businesses. They can be helpful for catering services, bands, and sports teams alike. In fact, the 2007 Women’s U.S. Open golf tournament used SMARTBOX to provide secure storage for merchandise which was sold to attending fans.