What is a Smart Locker?

High-Level Overview of Smart Locker Systems

Smart locker systems are a hardware and software solution that allow organizations to manage the distribution and collection of assets. Items such as parcels, personal items, mobile devices, supplies, and more can be placed in a smart locker for individuals to access.

From a business perspective, an IoT-connected smart locker system automates workflow so that employees who are tasked with asset distribution/collection can focus on human-essential tasks, while letting technology automate many low-level tasks that don’t require skilled labor.

As all industries continue to reap the benefits of digital transformation, the need for IT hardware asset management (HAM) solutions, like smart lockers, continues to grow. Smart locker systems are quickly becoming an essential part of operational efficiencies and cost-saving strategies.

There are many types of smart lockers, each that suits specific needs of a particular business, school, or other organization.

Device management and charging

Automate the distribution of mobile assets like laptops, tablets, iPads^®, Chromebooks, scanners, phones, wearables, or other devices. These systems typically include a management portal to oversee things like access, tracking, and reporting. (We will explore smart charging lockers in-depth in this article.)

Vending of supplies or other assets

Designed to supply employees with supplies like safety glasses, gloves, and other necessities. Connected software helps with inventory management and automated reordering.

Parcel drop off/pick up

Used by logistics carriers to manage, track, store, and deliver parcels to consumers – ensuring packages get to the right recipients safely and conveniently without human intervention.

Day-use lockers

A temporary, keyless storage solution for universities, businesses, entertainment venues, and more to securely store personal belongings that can be retrieved at any time.

Food service pick up/delivery

Provides a centralized point for restaurants to automate order pick up. Patrons or delivery drivers can easily access a food order via a smart locker and access code.

Asset distribution & tracking for sensitive items

Asset tracking systems allow authorized users to access highly-sensitive items – such as keys, paperwork, forensic evidence, and more – ensuring they remain secured and tracked.

Smart Lockers for Hardware Asset Management are implemented to assist with management of forgotten, lost, broken, and uncharged devices.

Here are some outcomes that organizations can expect from using a smart locker system for HAM.

Automate device distribution/collection.

The purpose of a smart locker for device management is to provide self-serve access to secure devices that are always charged and ready for use.

Improve IT response times.

Provide access to loaner or replacement devices in a matter of minutes.

Remotely manage device access.

Tech teams can provide better IT support, even if they’re not physically present — 24/7/365.

Hold device users accountable.

Know who, what and when a device is taken to lower rates of device breakage and shrink.

Stretch tech resources further.

Automating manual processes can enable tech departments to work within a sustainable budget, while freeing up time to focus on goals.

Empower easy device access.

Self-serve access to loaner or replacement devices provides students and employees with the tools they need with little interruption to others.

Maximize device uptime.

Get students, staff, and employees back to learning or working faster by issuing loan or replacement devices in minutes.

Keep devices charged up and ready to use.

Devices that need a top off during the day or overnight can be securely charged without any worry of theft or loss.

Broken device exchanges and loaner device access

IT issues shouldn’t halt student or employee productivity. Smart locker systems can streamline processes for tech teams so that students or employees are empowered to swap a broken device or check out a loaner device in just a few minutes.

Explore Use Case

Current state: clunky exchanges/loans

Wasted time of skilled IT staff

Specialized IT staff are wasting valuable time on entry-level tasks such as delivering, tracking, and managing broken and forgotten devices.

Lengthy device downtime

Device users are unable to work/learn while they wait for a replacement or loaner device, putting them behind.

Recruitment challenges & increased labor expenses

Organizations are unable to acquire talent to meet workload demands.

Current state: efficient exchanges/loans

Save time & balance workloads

Automating delivery, tracking and management of broken or lost devices allows skilled IT teams to focus on strategic projects.

Minimize device downtime

Device users can self-serve and self-authenticate a replacement or loaner device at their convenience 24/7/365 from a designated, secure location.

Save money on labor costs

Automate manual tasks that once required human touch for a fraction of the cost.

Secure, individual charging

Devices that are left to charge in a wall outlet often wind up lost, stolen, or damaged. Offering secure charging in individually-lockable bays ensures peace of mind for device users and hardware asset managers.

Explore Use Case

Current state: uncharged devices

Devices are not charged when needed

Students or workers who are unable to charge their device during their day/shift can fall behind.

Increased theft and data breaches

Device users are unable to work/learn while they wait for a replacement or loaner device, putting them behind.

Low-tech lockers waste money

Without a management portal to automate and streamline device management, value is not fully realized.

The digital divide widens

Students facing housing insecurity do not have a secure place to charge devices overnight.

Future state: charged devices

Ensure devices are always ready

Unattended devices can be charged at a convenient time without worry, keeping device users on track.

Protect devices and data

Securely store devices to mitigate risk and protect your organization from costly data breaches.

Customer-centric features save money long-term

Useful features – like self authentication, user management, asset management, device tracking, workflow management, and external integrations – save significant time and money.

Improve digital equity

Provide a secure charging location for those facing housing insecurity.

Smart locker systems are improving hardware asset management in many industries.

Typically, technology professionals, operations roles, and human resource departments see major improvements to device uptime and oversight for company hardware assets.

K-12 Education

Provide reliable access to ready-to-go mobile devices needed for high academic achievement while maintaining control of your time and tech budget.

Manufacturing / Distribution

Mobile devices play a critical role in manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing, enabling department managers to put assigned tech into the right hands quickly and consistently.

State and Local Government

Improve efficiency for government employees who routinely check out mobile devices – and provide community members with greater access to mobile technology.

Higher Education

Provide exemplary IT services and support to faculty by offering access to loaner devices, specialty devices, and secure public charging.

Healthcare

Mobile devices play a critical role in day-to-day operations of healthcare. Ensure your devices are charged and ready to go when needed and secured when not in use.

Within the education sector, who benefits most once a smart locker system is implemented?

Smart locker systems are designed to make life easier for anyone who is tasked with managing or using mobile device technology in their organization. This could include multiple departments or roles within all industries.

Technology Managers & Coordinators

By optimizing the distribution and management of devices like laptops and Chromebooks, technology professionals can conserve substantial time and resources. They can guarantee immediate and traceable access, streamline logistics, and minimize device loss and damage.

Media Specialists & Librarians

Often times, the on-site media specialist or librarian will be responsible for daily device loans and exchanges for students — which distracts them from their primary role of helping students succeed. When a smart locker system is implemented, the process for exchanging and loaning devices is more accurate and is less disruptive to on-site staff.

Teachers

When a student experiences an issue with their Chromebook or laptop, learning can come to a halt for the entire class. By providing a self-service solution for students to quickly authenticate and access a loaner device without needing teacher's help, interruptions are minimized.

Students

It's inevitable that a student's device will break, lose charge, or be forgotten at one time or another. Empowering students to self-serve devices encourages responsible device care. Students can quickly swap their broken device for a loan, check out a loan to use for the day, or charge their device between classes — ensuring learning readiness.

Get Results with a FUYL™ Smart Locker System from LocknCharge.

If you'd like to learn more about how a FUYL Smart Locker System can improve hardware asset management within your school or business, we're here to help!

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