The Challenge
The Australian self-storage industry has traditionally relied on fragmented, manual processes for managing delinquent storage units. Storage operators often juggle multiple systems to notify customers, comply with legislative requirements, process payments, and ultimately auction unclaimed goods.
The goal of Storage Resolve was ambitious: create a single platform that automates the entire workflow, from the first overdue notice through to the final online auction.
Unlike a standard auction website, this platform needed to combine legal compliance, automation, real-time bidding, payment processing, and third-party integrations into one seamless experience.
The Solution
I designed and developed Storage Resolve, a fully bespoke SaaS platform built specifically for the Australian self-storage industry.
The platform streamlines every stage of the lien recovery process, allowing storage operators to manage overdue units efficiently while maintaining compliance with legislative requirements.
Automated Lien Recovery
Storage operators can initiate a lien recovery case directly within the platform. From there, the system automatically manages the communication process through multiple channels, including:
- Physical letters
- Email notifications
- SMS notifications
Bespoke Online Auction Platform
Rather than manually sending notices, Storage Resolve automates the workflow using integrated APIs, ensuring every notification is recorded and delivered as required. Once the required notice period has expired and the debt remains unpaid, the unit can be seamlessly progressed to auction.
At its core, Storage Resolve is a purpose-built online auction system designed specifically for storage unit auctions. Features include:
- Live online bidding
- Real-time outbid notifications
- SMS and email bidding alerts
- Automatic auction timing
- Secure online payments
- Complete bidder management
- Vendor dashboards
- Auction history and reporting
Complex API Integrations
One of the biggest challenges of the project was integrating multiple external services into a single automated workflow. Key integrations include:
- Stripe for secure online payment processing.
- PostGrid for automated printing and mailing of statutory letters.
- Twilio for SMS notifications.
- Cloudinary for secure image management.
- Email delivery services for automated communications.
- Real-time Socket technology for live auction bidding.
The Result
Storage Resolve is far more than an auction website. It’s a complete operational platform for the self-storage industry.
By combining legal notice automation, communications, payment processing, and live auctions into one application, the platform removes countless hours of manual administration while delivering a professional experience for both storage operators and bidders.
With the platform approaching launch, Storage Resolve is positioned to challenge an established market by providing storage operators with a modern, automated alternative that simplifies the entire lien recovery and auction process.
Platform Highlights
- Fully bespoke SaaS platform.
- Automated lien recovery workflow.
- Physical letter, SMS, and email automation.
- Real-time online auctions.
- Live outbid notifications.
- Secure payment processing.
- Multiple third-party API integrations.
- Scalable cloud architecture.
- Purpose-built specifically for the Australian storage industry.
Why This Project Matters
Storage Resolve demonstrates the kind of software I enjoy building: complex business platforms that replace fragmented manual processes with intelligent automation.
From real-time auctions and payment processing to physical mail delivery and workflow automation, every component was designed to work together as one cohesive system, reducing administration, improving compliance, and creating a better experience for both businesses and their customers.
Technology Stack
Frontend
- Next.js 14 (App Router)
- React 18
- TypeScript
- Tailwind CSS
- Socket.IO (real-time bidding)
- Stripe payment integration
Backend
- Strapi 5 (Headless CMS & API)
- Node.js
- PostgreSQL
- Socket.IO
- BullMQ & Redis (background job processing)
Integrations
- Stripe
- PostGrid
- Twilio
- Cloudinary
- Nodemailer
- REST APIs