You may have come across a wide range of different types of lockers with one emerging trend; they’re all becoming smarter. Electronic, digital, computerised, automated and IoT are all descriptors for smarter lockers.
But what exactly is a smart locker system?
Smart locker systems are lockers that utilise apps, codes or RFID cards to open up specified lockers tied to a user. What makes the system smart, is the ability to allocate and authenticate users to the assigned locker, whilst keeping track of which lockers are currently being used.
But what does that mean?
It means multiple users can use a locker, at different times without the friction of having management continuously handing over and collecting keys or codes. This saves countless hours of administration time, and you need less lockers to provide storage for the same number of users.
Smart locker systems evolved to create a frictionless and feature rich experience for users and management. In fact, smart locker systems have increasingly been developing integrations with access control, apps and active directories to streamline the onboarding process for users. For example, users using their existing access card or work login into an app to access their locker.
So how does a smart locker system work for users?
Depending on the system, smart lockers provide multiple ways of access and methods to authenticate and open a locker for a user. Popular options include:
- Users tap their card/fob onto a reader, which authenticates them, matching up with the correct locker to open.
- Implemented through either an integration with access control, or uploaded CSV and a pre-allocation of lockers.
- Users don’t need to remember any details, just tap and open.
- Users can book a new locker with choices (e.g. size of locker), or manage their allocated locker. A one tap button via an app will unlock the locker.
- Provides a multitude of options, including user support, payment processing, notifications, temporary/permanent/shared lockers and locker transfers.
- Users don’t need to keep hold of their card, or remember any details, as the app keeps track of the locker number and opens the right locker.
Codes (via a screen or terminal)
- Users create or are auto-generated a 4-6 digit code as their authentication method. This code is input to unlock and open the assigned locker.
- Users need to remember their code and their locker number. They input their locker number and then enter in their code.
Biometrics
- Similar to using a code, except with biometrics, e.g. fingerprint.
- Users then need to remember their locker number and then apply the relevant biometric authentication.
Ultimately, a smart locker system can be configured to operate how you want it to operate, in order to maximise experience for your users and management.
Smart locker systems may look complex when you’re first handed a feature list, but they’re easy to install and it’s simple to use. At the end of the day, smart locker systems exist to increase security, reduce hours of administration time, and create a more seamless experience for all users and management.
