Some industries are mainly reliant on smart lockers for future growth. Smart lockers are a cornerstone of many retail and e-commerce companies' future strategies, according to Forrester Research.
Smart lockers' versatility makes them ideal for resolving storage and distribution issues in any business, not just retail. However, there is no one-size-fits-all management strategy that can be used by everyone. Understanding how smart lockers work and how others have successfully used them will help you choose the perfect locker system for your company.
What Are Smart Lockers?
Smart technology nowadays refers to any gadget with an integrated computer and sensor system that can monitor itself. Often, that smart product can study its own data and modify its performance on its own.
Secure storage and distribution systems with a computer and network-integrated are known as smart locker systems. They can change which assets are available for sign-out on the fly, identify assets that need to be repaired, and notify you of unusual sign-out patterns.
A laptop can be stored in a typical storage locker. However, it may only be protected using a PIN number. At any time, anyone with that code can take the laptop. On the other hand, a smart locker system keeps and even charges the laptop while idle. Its authentication panel keeps track of who signs the laptop in and out. Managers can limit sign-outs to specific individuals or times. If a laptop isn't returned on time, the smart locker can send those managers an alert.
Smart Lockers' Key Components
- The Lockers - Lockers, whether smart or not, must be dependable storage systems. Most smart locker systems appear to be traditional storage lockers from the outside. They frequently have ventilated metal doors or clear high-impact polycarbonate doors.
- Authentication Panel - This is the first component that contributes to the smartness of a locker. By requiring employees to identify themselves individually, you gain greater control over who has access to specific equipment. The PIN code is the most basic authentication method, but it is also the least secure. PIN codes, according to security researchers, are far too easy for determined attackers to guess. In fact, the top 5% most popular PIN code combinations account for more than half of all PIN codes in use globally. Other options are available for higher security environments. Swipe cards, smartphone apps, and biometric scans such as fingerprint, facial, or eye scans are examples of these.
- Content Monitoring - A smart locker system must be able to track individual assets in addition to monitoring users. This is known as content monitoring. Passive RFID tags are one of the most dependable and cost-effective ways to accomplish this. These tags are designed to be attached to or embedded in a wide range of materials. Tags are read by smart lockers to ensure that the correct asset is taken or returned. Content monitoring can also be accomplished with the help of USB charging cables built into lockers. When tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices charged by these cables are plugged in, their identification is transmitted to lockers.
- Management Software - All of this information obtained from asset transactions is only useful if presented clearly and concisely. Asset management software compiles all of this information into an easy-to-read dashboard. These management portals also allow you to customize and view user and transaction reports, which can help with regulatory compliance.
7 Benefits of Using Smart Lockers
- Labor Cost Savings - Smart lockers automate all time-consuming tasks associated with manual asset management, such as transaction processing, sign-in and sign-out logging, and reporting. This frees up employees for more productive work while maintaining the security of your equipment.
- Asset losses are reduced - There is no risk of human error with transaction logging entirely automated. When a device is reported as returned, managers always know who accessed which locker at what time. By using content monitoring, the smart locker can also automatically verify that the correct device was returned. Smart lockers can also send an alert to managers when devices are not returned on time. This allows them to begin looking immediately, allowing devices to be recovered more quickly.
- Regulatory Compliance Automation - Smart locker reporting is an efficient way to maintain regulatory compliance if your business needs to track regulated assets or controlled substances. Reports are fully customizable to assist you in retrieving the correct data from lockers during transactions. For added accountability, access terminals can be outfitted with cameras that record staff images during transactions.
- Improved Device Usage Insight - Content surveillance via wired and RFID provides a complete picture of when, where, and how the equipment is being utilized. This accumulated usage data allows you to see performance trends and identify larger scale business problems over time. Smart lockers have become important business intelligence operatives.
- Improved Operations - Smart lockers can do more than just keep your belongings safe. Businesses can create entirely new workflows using their intelligent feedback and communication features. Many companies that utilize smart lockers to store electronics, for example, choose to designate one compartment as a maintenance locker. When a laptop or other item is returned and needs to be repaired, the user marks it as damaged on the dashboard and places it in the maintenance locker. This sends an automated email with a problem report to technicians.
- Always Ready - Smart lockers are intended for use in high-traffic areas and in emergency scenarios. Many new users are anxious about accessing equipment during power outages. Still, smart lockers include battery backups that keep all smart features operational even when the power is out. If there is a network outage, smart lockers continue to function as they did before the disruption. The stored data during the disruption is sent back to the management program whenever network connectivity is restored. Smart lockers also contain emergency release options that authorized users can use, making them ideal for businesses that require quick reaction.
- Easily Customizable - Sensors and management software for content monitoring are robust and adaptable technologies. They enable smart lockers to fulfil a variety of unique storage functions.
There are numerous possible applications
This variety of applications demonstrates how adaptable, smart locker technology can be.
- Physical Mobile Device Management - Many businesses rely on employees using pricey portable technology in high-stress conditions, such as handheld scanners for inventory monitoring. Productivity suffers as those devices are misplaced or lost. Replacement fees can mount up quickly if those devices are destroyed.
- Evidence Management - Traditionally, government agencies have put a lot of work into managing forensic evidence in their possession. Evidence managers are often in charge of keeping an eye on evidence lockers, collecting chain of custody papers, and ensuring that evidence is available for officers and court dates. Smart lockers can fulfil chain of custody chores automatically. They also operate 24 hours a day, allowing evidence to be tracked across all shifts, not just the first ones where evidence managers are usually present. For the secure storage of biological evidence, refrigeration locker modules are also available.
- Regulatory Compliance - Smart lockers are the ideal option, even if your regulatory burden isn't too unusual. Smart lockers provide a mechanism to track and record assets to stay in compliance with any regulatory requirement.
- Improved Device Usage Insight - Content surveillance via wired and RFID provides a complete picture of when, where, and how the equipment is being utilized. This accumulated usage data allows you to see performance trends and identify larger scale business problems over time. Smart lockers have become important business intelligence operatives.
- Checking Components - Passive RFID tags provide accurate content monitoring, allowing numerous objects to be tagged and scanned per locker, even through carrying cases. This makes kit component inspections for items like EMT medicine bags simple to automate in a smart locker.
- Parcel Protection - Retail pickup services are in high demand. Many businesses are turning to smart storage and distribution systems to provide it.
Service Systems
We're a consulting and technology company that partners with customer-focused industries. We aim to complement and improve customer experience by developing or implementing various hardware and software technology solutions. That elevates a data-driven approach to business management and customer engagement, ultimately forging the roadmap to success.
Now, more than ever, retailers are looking to improve their order fulfilment and logistics strategies for a more efficient, reliable, convenient and contact-free customer experience. Introducing the Smart Locker.
If you are keen to learn how we can help you succeed, mail us ninja@servicesystems.co.za or call us at +27872374783.
