Did you know smart lockers are now a new way to secure your belongings in the workspace? Today, the world has shifted towards efficiency, and so have organizations. As the corporate world transits through several working modes, some work in a hybrid working environment. With the changing trends, industries, the corporate world, and organizations need an alternate solution that should be reliable, fast, IoT-based, and secure. Smart lockers are the best alternative to these needs, and they are innovative technology designed to provide convenient, on-demand access to items while enhancing operational efficiency.
For this blog, I will borrow 5 minutes of your precious time to tell you about smart locker’s workings and efficiency.
How Do Smart Lockers Work?
Do you know that smart lockers are toys for technology geeks? In IT companies, employees enjoy their operations process. However, we are also here to learn how smart lockers work, and here is a breakdown of the simple steps of their operation.
- User Authentication
- Requesting Access
- Securing the Locker
- Tracking and Inventory Management
- Seamless Integration with IT Systems
Every smart locker in the market usually follows this 5-step procedure. Honest Waves also provides best-in-class smart lockers that are continuously easing the operations of multiple companies.
User Authentication
The first in this procedure involves user authentication. This process ensures that only authorized individuals or your trusted employees can access the locker system. At first, users have to authenticate themselves through the smart lockers with the following methods:
- RFID Cards
Smart lockers are RFID card enabled. An RFID card is a specialized card with an antenna, a substrate, and an electronic chip that communicates with the lockers to grant access.
- Mobile Apps
Users can access this locker through a dedicated mobile application, usually provided by the smart locker providers. These apps work on cloud-based software.
- PIN Codes
In some cases, mobile applications and RFID cards may not work, so the users can also gain access through a classic PIN code.
Requesting Access
Once step 1 is completed, users are authenticated. In the second step, users can get an allocation of their specific lockers. This can be done through a built-in touchscreen in the lockers or through the mobile application. The requests are processed quickly, and users can know which lockers are available.
Securing the Locker
In the third step, the items are secured when a locker is automatically unlocked, and the user gains access to their compartment. The locker locking mechanism securely closes once the user retrieves or returns an item. This ensures that the belongings remain safe and secure until the next authorized user accesses them.
Tracking and Inventory Management
In the fourth step, while storing items in the smart lockers, the administrator can track them in real time. Each locker is connected to a centralized management system, allowing the administrator to monitor inventory levels, track usage patterns, and create customized reports.
The data obtained is valuable in optimizing asset management and ensuring that the stored item is available and no users have retrieved it.
Seamless Integration with IT Systems
Smart lockers can be integrated with the existing IT services management (ITSM) operating in the workspace. We only need a specialized API and application compatible with an existing ITSM like ServiceNow.
This integration is designed to smoothen the workflow when managing equipment requests. By connecting these smart lockers to the existing systems, organizations can significantly reduce manual processes, save time, and minimize errors.
How Smart Lockers Working Can Increase Efficiency?
Smart lockers have significantly increased the efficiency in the organization in which they are used. Here are some of the factors you should know before buying smart lockers:
24/7 Access
Due to ease of accessibility, employees can access equipment and supplies anytime. Multiple access modes to these lockers can decrease the wait times and improve productivity.
Reduced Accessing Time
The users can easily retrieve and return items to the lockers. This efficiency can reduce downtime and streamline the operation.
Enhanced Security
Smart lockers provide security to valuable items and protect them from theft and damage.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Smart lockers can be a cost-effective solution in the long run. However, manual access management can be more expensive in organizations.
FAQs
Q1: What is the concept of a smart lock?
A smart lock is an electronic lock that can be accessed through biometrics, an RFID card, a 4-6 digit PIN, or applications. You don’t need keys to unlock it. This is how smart lockers can reduce the risk of theft.
Q2: Can smart lockers be used in any industry?
Yes, almost every business is using smart lockers, especially those with more than 20 employees and frequent visitors. Gyms, warehouses, corporate businesses, and e-commerce stores frequently use smart lockers.
Q3: How do smart lockers help with inventory management?
Smart lockers provide real-time tracking of stored items. Any authorized user can monitor filled compartments. Moreover, you can track usage patterns and create customized reports.
Q4: Can anyone use smart lockers?
Yes, smart lockers are user-friendly, and anyone can use them. However, the administrator should give other users access.
Q5: How many users should I allow to access the smart locker?
There is no limit for the users. It all depends on the administrator and how many users he wants to allow to access the locker.
The Finale
Smart lockers are a revolutionary and innovative way of storing and accessing valuable items within the organization. Taking benefits from advanced technology and a mixture of unique hardware with software enables the solutions to provide secure, efficient, and user-friendly access to the company’s valuable belongings. In this blog, we have learned about how smart lockers work and what are the benefits of using them in the organization.
As the demand for flexible workspaces grows, smart lockers are becoming important to modern operational strategies. So, embrace asset management’s future and know how these lockers can increase efficiency.
