Transforming Storage Access with Digital Keys: FLEXIPASS + Stuf Storage

Abstract

What happens when smart storage meets smart digital access? FLEXIPASS teamed up with Stuf Storage to solve one big headache: getting in and out of your unit with zero hassle. Now, New Yorkers can unlock storage doors with just a tap on their phones - no app, no keys. Even better? Stuf’s engineers integrated the open FLEXIPASS Webkey API directly into their platform, no middleware needed. It just works. This partnership proves that Digital Keys aren’t just for hotels anymore: they’re for anyone who wants to offer convenience that customers actually remember.

When Storage Space is Scarce, Smart Access Makes All the Difference

Picture this: you're living in a cramped New York apartment, and your closet is bursting at the seams. Maybe you've got seasonal gear taking up precious space, or you're between moves and need somewhere safe for your furniture. Sound familiar? You're not alone - over 8 million New Yorkers face this exact struggle every day.

This is where companies like Stuf Storage come to the rescue, turning forgotten basements and unused spaces into the extra closet you desperately need. But here's the thing, even the most perfectly located storage unit becomes a headache if you can't get in when you need your stuff.

Enter FLEXIPASS Digital Keys. We didn't just solve Stuf Storage's access problem; we transformed their entire customer experience. Now, instead of hunting for keys or waiting for office hours, customers simply walk up to their storage unit and tap their phone. Door opens. Stuff retrieved. Life continues.

This partnership proves something powerful: FLEXIPASS isn't just for hotels anymore. We're helping businesses across industries create those magical "it just works" moments that customers remember and love.

Meet Stuf Storage:
The Neighborhood Storage Heroes

Stuf Storage isn't your typical storage company. While others build massive facilities on the outskirts of town, Stuf's founders had a different vision: why not bring storage right to where people actually live and work?

Here's their brilliant approach:

They partner with property owners who have unused spaces. Think empty basements, underutilized garages, or forgotten corners of commercial buildings. Instead of letting these spaces collect dust, Stuf transforms them into clean, secure, tech-enabled storage facilities that feel more like a modern retail space than a dingy storage unit.

The result?

Storage that's actually convenient. We're talking about facilities that are walking distance from your apartment or work-place, clean and well-lit (no creepy basement vibes here), available 24/7 because life doesn't follow business hours, and managed by a team that actually cares about customer service.

Since launching, Stuf Storage has grown to nearly 30 locations across seven major cities, earning recognition from Fast Company as one of The World's Most Innovative Companies in 2022. Not bad for reimagining an industry that hadn't changed much in decades.

The Problem: When Convenience Isn't Convenient

Even with perfectly located storage units, Stuf faced a challenge that plagues the entire industry: access. Traditional storage facilities typically rely on physical keys that get lost, forgotten, or require awkward handoffs. They have limited office hours that never align with when you actually need your stuff. Check-in processes turn a quick grab-and-go into a 20-minute ordeal. And there's no real-time control over who can access what, when.

For a company built on convenience, these friction points were deal-breakers. Imagine promising customers "storage that fits your life" and then making them work around your schedule to access their own belongings. It just doesn't work.

Stuf's customers were busy New Yorkers who needed their storage to be as seamless as ordering an Uber or getting food delivered. They wanted to drop by at 7 AM before work or swing by at 11 PM after dinner - on their terms, not the storage company's.

The FLEXIPASS Solution: Making Magic Happen

When Stuf Storage's engineering team started looking for a digital access solution, they had some pretty specific requirements. It couldn't just work, it had to work seamlessly and reliably.

Here's what they built with FLEXIPASS:

• The Customer Experience: Walking up to your storage unit now feels like magic. You pull out your phone, tap the Stuf webapp, and the door unlocks. No fumbling for keys, no codes to remember, no waiting around. Just tap and go. All without downloading an app.

• Behind the Scenes: FLEXIPASS Webkey API handles all the heavy lifting for secure access. Salto door locks with Salto Space software provide physical security. Stuf's own platform creates a seamless brand experience from booking to access.

• What Makes This Special: Instead of adding another layer of complexity, Stuf's team integrated FLEXIPASS directly into their existing system. This means customers don't need to use two different platforms or remember different login credentials - it all just works within the Stuf experience they already know.

The Integration Story: When Engineering Teams Get Excited

Here's where things get really interesting. Stuf Storage could have chosen any number of digital access solutions, but they picked FLEXIPASS for a crucial reason: our API actually works the way developers want it to work.

What Stuf's Senior Director of Engineering, Danika Goecke, told us:

"My team has successfully integrated FLEXIPASS API with our Stuf platform. We did not experience any problems, the process has been simple and easy to follow."

Now, if you've ever worked with APIs, you know how rare it is to hear an engineer say "we did not experience any problems." But it speaks to something we're really proud of at FLEXIPASS: we build our technology to work with yours, not against it.

Why This Matters: 

No middleware means direct integration with fewer moving parts. Faster deployment means less time debugging, more time building features customers love. Cost efficiency comes from no additional licensing fees or partnership complications. Brand consistency means everything stays within Stuf's ecosystem.

Beyond New York: Proving Access Technology Works Everywhere

While FLEXIPASS currently powers Stuf Storage locations specifically in New York, this partnership proves something much bigger: Digital Key technology can work almost anywhere, for anyone, solving real problems across industries. The success has created a ripple effect where storage companies, coworking spaces, fitness facilities, retail businesses, and residential properties are all taking notice and exploring how seamless digital access can transform their customer experiences. 

What This Means for Your Business

If you're reading this case study, chances are high that you're dealing with your own access challenges. Maybe you're in hospitality (where we started), or maybe you're in a completely different industry wondering if what worked for Stuf Storage could work for you.

Here’s what you can learn:

• For Businesses with company owned platforms:
  You don't need to rip and replace everything. Our API is designed to work with what you've already built and can be integrated with your company-owned platform. Stuf Storage proved that integration can be smooth, fast, and problem-free. 

• For Businesses with existing Systems: No company-owned platform? No problem! With our wide range of integrated partners (100+) and a flexible API, we’re confident we can find a solution that fits your needs. Additionally, we work with the world’s leading door lock providers. Reviewing your tech stack or finding the best fit usually works best in a joint meeting 😉.

• For Customer Experience Leaders: Access friction is an invisible tax on customer satisfaction. Every moment someone spends fumbling with keys or waiting for help is a moment they're not loving your service.

• For Operations Teams: Digital access doesn't just make customers happy, it makes your life easier too. Less time managing keys, fewer emergency calls, more predictable operations.

• For Anyone Solving Access Problems: Whether it's storage, workspace, or any other type of property access, the principles remain the same: make it simple, make it secure, make it work every time.

Ready to Open New Doors?

The Stuf Storage partnership proves that FLEXIPASS isn't just for hotels, we're for anyone who wants to give their customers the gift of seamless access. Because at the end of the day, it's not about the technology, it's about the people using it. And those people deserve access that's as smart, simple, and reliable as they are.

Whether you're in storage, hospitality, fitness, or any industry where access matters, integrating with  FLEXIPASS is simple and shows off immediate results. 

Your customers deserve frictionless access. Let's make it happen.