SPOT
SPOT is a SaaS platform that allows customers to book and manage container storage rentals online. The system handles identity verification, automated subscription billing, contract signing, and access control while enforcing strict rental lifecycle rules to prevent abuse.
Currently in active development. Core booking, billing, and verification systems are already implemented.
Problem
Storage rental businesses typically rely on manual processes for bookings, payments, contracts, and access control. The challenge was building a platform that automates the entire rental lifecycle while enforcing clear rules around billing periods, access permissions, cancellations, and abandoned units.
Constraints
- Rentals operate in fixed 30-day billing cycles aligned to the rental start date
- Access must only be granted after identity verification, contract signing, and payment confirmation
- The system must prevent abuse such as rental pauses or partial billing periods
- Subscription billing must remain synchronized with the rental lifecycle
- The platform must remain secure against spam, fraud, and automated abuse
Approach
Rental Lifecycle Architecture
Designed a deterministic rental state machine governing booking, activation, renewal, cancellation, move-out windows, and abandonment scenarios.
Automated Subscription Billing
Integrated Stripe to manage recurring billing aligned to the rental start date, with webhooks synchronizing subscription state with the platform database.
Identity Verification and Access Control
Integrated KYC verification workflows ensuring users upload identification before gaining access to rented containers.
Secure Backend Infrastructure
Built backend services using Next.js and Prisma with PostgreSQL, handling bookings, webhooks, authentication, and lifecycle validation.
Operational Safeguards
Implemented rate limiting, CAPTCHA protection, webhook validation, and automated reminder workflows to reduce abuse and operational friction.
Implementation Highlights
Rental State Machine
Implemented a lifecycle system that governs booking, activation, renewal, cancellation, move-out windows, and abandonment handling.
Stripe Subscription Integration
Connected the platform to Stripe subscriptions and synchronized rental periods using webhook-driven state updates.
KYC Verification Flow
Integrated identity verification workflows ensuring users submit identification before gaining physical access to storage units.
Webhook-Driven Backend Logic
Implemented webhook handling for Stripe and verification providers to keep platform state synchronized with external systems.
Abuse-Resistant Rental Rules
Designed booking and cancellation rules that prevent partial billing exploits and rental pause abuse.
Results
30-Day Subscription Cycles
Billing Model
Implemented deterministic rental billing aligned to the start date using Stripe subscriptions.
KYC + Contract Required
Access Control
Users must complete identity verification and contract signing before receiving container access.
Webhook-Driven System
Automation
Platform state automatically updates based on Stripe and verification provider events.
Next Steps
Future improvements include enhanced admin tools for facility management, automated abandonment workflows, and integration with physical access systems.