Smart lockers are secure, connected storage systems designed to simplify how organisations manage physical assets — especially mobile devices. Smart lockers are equipped with digital access controls, real-time monitoring, and charging capabilities.
Whether you’re running a 1:1 device program in a school or managing IT equipment across a large organisation, smart lockers help keep devices charged, secured, and ready for use.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What smart lockers are
- How they work behind the scenes
- Which features matter most (like charging and access control)
- Common use cases in education, business, and beyond
- What to expect in terms of cost and setup
Let’s start with the basics.
What is a smart locker?
A smart locker is a secure, connected storage solution that allows users to access physical items — like laptops, tablets, or equipment — without needing staff assistance. Unlike traditional lockers that rely on keys or manual sign-out sheets, smart lockers offer many benefits.
Users authenticate through a PIN, QR code, RFID badge, or email link. Once verified, the assigned smart locker bay unlocks automatically. Every interaction — from device pickup to return — is tracked in real time, so IT teams and administrators know exactly who accessed what, when, and for how long.
Smart locker systems are used in schools, healthcare, retail, and enterprise environments to support a wide range of workflows, including:
- Charging student or employee devices
- Managing device loaner programs
- Facilitating device repairs
- Distributing devices to new students or employees
By combining automated access with centralised oversight, smart lockers improve accountability, reduce IT workload, and keep operations running smoothly — even when staff isn’t physically present.
What types of smart lockers are out there?
There are a variety of smart lockers on the market that vary in size, shape, capacity and purpose. They are powered by software that differs in sophistication, depending on the use case.
The main types of smart lockers are:
- Smart charging lockers
- Day-use lockers
- Vending lockers
- Food service pick-up lockers
- Parcel lockers
- Asset distribution and tracking lockers
How do smart lockers work?
Once deployed, smart lockers function as self-service pickup and drop-off stations — fully managed through the cloud.
Admins assign access remotely. Users walk up, authenticate, and retrieve a device or return one. No keys, no paperwork, and no need for IT staff to intervene.
What makes smart lockers powerful isn’t just the automation — it’s the visibility: every interaction is tracked, access can be time-limited, and charging happens safely behind locked doors.
Want to see what happens behind the scenes? Explore the full process in our guide: How smart lockers work.
What industries use smart lockers?
Smart lockers are used across industries that need to remotely manage physical assets like mobile devices, while keeping them charged, secured, and ready to go. Common sectors include:
- Education
- Higher education
- Airlines and transportation
- Manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing
- Energy
- State and local government
- Healthcare
- Hospitality & entertainment
These industries benefit from smart locker systems that support automated device management, improve access control, and reduce administrative workload.
What problems does a smart locker solve?
Organisations install smart charging lockers to solve challenges like:
- Wasted time of skilled staff performing manual tasks like delivering or tracking devices
- Delays in work or learning due to unavailable, uncharged, or missing devices
- Disorganised handoffs and inconsistent workflows
- Lack of accountability for damaged or lost equipment
- Increased risk of theft and data breaches when devices aren’t physically secured
Why should your organisation use a smart locker system?
A smart locker automates manual hardware asset management (HAM) tasks that would otherwise require human coordination. This can save substantial time and money.
Top use cases for smart locker systems:
- Short-term device loan & return: Borrow a device instantly — no need for staff handoff.
- Broken device swaps (hot swaps): Replace a non-working device within minutes.
- Long-term device deployment & collection: Automate device onboarding and offboarding.
- Secure charging access: Keep devices powered and protected 24/7.
What are the main benefits of using smart lockers?
Smart lockers offer secure, contactless access and 24/7 availability — while improving efficiency, accountability, and user satisfaction.
Key outcomes for organisations include:
- Automate device distribution and collection
- Improve IT response times with instant replacements
- Remotely manage locker access and availability
- Maintain accountability with audit trails and check-in/out logs
- Free up staff for higher-value work
- Reduce device downtime
- Keep devices charged while safely stored
How much do smart sharging lockers cost?
Smart locker pricing can range from around £2,400 and £9,500+, depending on:
- Locker size and number of bays
- Charging capabilities
- Software features (e.g., remote access, user tracking)
- Customisation and integrations
- Support and upgrade terms
Organisations with moderate-to-high usage typically select mid-range lockers with integrated charging, cloud software, and support for custom workflows.
Learn more about smart locker pricing →
Smart locker ROI considerations:
When budgeting, factor in the hidden costs of your current approach:
- Lost time spent managing devices manually
- Increased IT support burden
- Missed opportunities due to student or staff device downtime
- Replacement costs for lost, untracked, or mishandled tech
How much is device downtime costing you?
Use our free calculator to find out.
How to choose a smart locker?
When evaluating a smart locker solution, here are some key features to consider.
Agile, in-house software development
Internal resources dedicated to consistent feature releases and enhancements ensure smart locker software will pivot to meet your tech program needs well into the future.
Easy-to-use kiosk interface
Students, teachers, and employees shouldn't struggle when interacting with the smart locker. A simple, easy-to-understand kisok interface is critical in ensuring the lockers are being used to their full potential.
Robust security features
Data security should be a top priority for the vendor you choose. The cloud-based software should include features like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) to protect your organisation’s data. Integration with your directory or SIS is a great way to protect and centralise personal data.
Quality smart locker construction will keep devices physically safe while stored inside a locker.
Administrative access
It is important that smart locker administrators can remotely control locker access (who, what, when) via a cloud-based portal. It is also important that lockers can be accessed locally via the locker display, so on-site staff can manage day-to-day usage as needed.
Wi-Fi compatibility
Choosing a smart locker that can work over Wi-Fi gives your organisation flexibility to install the locker in the best possible location without investing in costly cabling infrastructure.
External system integrations
Managing locker users and workflow with tools – such as pre-built external directory integrations, help desk software integrations, open API with no call limits, and web hooks–makes process automation endless.
Past-due loan notifications
Knowing if a loaner device is overdue is important to keeping inventory on track. Automatic past-due notifications allow admins to reduce lost or missing loan devices.
Why choose a LocknCharge smart locker system?
Organisations choose LocknCharge as their smart charging lover for a variety of reasons.
LocknCharge’s FUYL Smart locker System is designed to solve pain points that organisations experience using and managing mobile device technology in day-to-day operations.
FUYL Smart Lockers can save valuable resources and time for staff and students. They maximise productivity by ensuring devices are accessible and ready-to-go when needed — and that they’re secure when not in use.
Organisations looking to facilitate device loans, broken device exchanges, and offer public charging on-demand select LocknCharge for the wide breadth of critical hardware and software features, customer-centric enhancements, superior product quality and exceptional customer support.