Everything You Need to Know About Smart Charging Lockers
Smart lockers are a hardware and software solution that allow businesses and schools 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 education, work and consumer environments continue to reap the benefits of the digital transformation, the need for device management solutions like smart lockers continues to grow. Smart lockers are an example of smart technology that have become an essential part of business strategies.
What Types of Smart Lockers Exist?
There are many types of lockers to suit the specific needs of a particular business or school.
When evaluating a locker for your organization, it is important to understand the differences to ensure you don’t overpay for something your organization doesn’t need.
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Device Management and Charging
Automate the distribution of assets like mobile or PoS devices and often offer a cloud option to manage tracking and access. (We will explore smart charging lockers in-depth in this article.)
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Vending of Supplies or other Assets
Designed to supply employees with supplies like safety glasses, gloves, and other necessities. Cloud software helps with inventory management and automated reordering.
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Parcel Drop Off/Pick Up
Used by logistics carriers to deliver and store parcels, making sure they get to the right recipients safely.
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Day-Use Lockers
Temporary, keyless storage solution for universities, businesses, entertainment venues, etc. which securely stores belongings that can be retrieved at any time.
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Food Service Pick Up/Delivery
Offers restaurants a way to automate order pick up by allowing patrons or delivery drivers to easily access their food order via a smart locker and code.
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Asset Distribution & Tracking Lockers
Asset tracking systems which allow authorized users to access highly-sensitive items securely, ensuring they remain accounted for at all times.
What is a Smart Locker for Device Management and Charging?
Watch this video to see how automating device exchange saves time and money.
Ensure Devices Are Always Ready
The purpose of a smart locker for device management is to ensure that devices are always charged, accessible and ready for use - 24/7/365.
Smart Charging Lockers allow organizations to efficiently charge, secure and manage workflows for devices like phones, tablets, laptops, hand-held POS systems and more.
Individually-Lockable Bays with Power
Smart locker systems physically and securely store and charge devices in a central location by allowing users to access individually-lockable bays.
Feature-Rich Cloud Platform
The true power of a Smart Locker is found in its Cloud capabilities which automate tasks to reduce wasted time, minimize device downtime, and hold device users accountable. The portal enables control, administration, visibility and tracking of the Smart Charging Locker usage from anywhere in the world.
External Integration Capabilities
Integration with external ticketing systems and an open API ensure that IT can realize significant time savings when managing devices.
The Future of IT and Operations
Automate the exchange of devices to save your organization time and money.
What Challenges Do Smart Lockers for Device Management Solve?
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the smart locker is poised to remain an important part of future transformations.
Here are challenges that the smart locker solution helps solve in order to keep workflows and operations at optimal levels for two main workflows: Shared Device Programs and Break/Fix Programs as well as Public Charging On Demand.
Shared Device Programs
CURRENT STATE
Unorganized Process without the FUYL Tower™ Smart Charging Locker
Poor Process / Delayed Work
Shared devices are not readily accessible nor reliability charged, delaying the workday.
Distracted Managers
Managers are forced to prioritize distributing and collecting devices over their primary operational roles.
High Rates of Breakage/Loss
Organizations experience significant device breakage and loss for shared devices that are not being secured or tracked.
Increased Data Breaches
Organizations’ data is exposed when devices are not securely stored, and MDM software is not enough.
FUTURE STATE
Organized Process with the FUYL Tower™ Smart Charging Locker
Ensure Devices Are Always Ready
Facilitate a reliable process so devices are always accessible and in a ready-to-use state.
Focus on Higher-Level Tasks
Employees are empowered to manage devices without oversight, so managers can focus on management-level tasks.
Hold Device Users Accountable
Track device usage for “who, what and when”, adding accountability so shared devices are cared for.
Protect Data
Secure storage of devices mitigates risk and protects your school or business from costly data breaches.
Quick Demo
Watch this video to see shared device workflow in action.
Broken Device Exchange Programs
CURRENT STATE
Manual Process without the FUYL Tower™ Smart Charging Locker
Wasted Time of Skilled IT Staff
Specialized IT staff are wasting valuable time on entry-level tasks such as delivering, tracking and managing broken or lost devices.
Lengthy Device Downtime
Device users are unable to work/learn while they wait for a replacement device, putting them behind.
Recruitment Challenges & Increased Labor Expenses
Organizations are unable to acquire adequate talent to meet workloads.
FUTURE STATE
Automated Process with the FUYL Tower™ Smart Charging Locker
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 a replacement device at their convince 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.
Quick Demo
Watch this video to see broken device exchange workflow in action.
Secure Charging On Demand
CURRENT STATE
Unsecured Charging without the FUYL Tower™ Smart Charging Locker
Devices Are Not Charged When Needed
Workers or students who are unable to charge their device during their day/shift can fall behind.
Increased Theft and Data Breaches
Devices that are left unattended while charging are at greater risk of theft, leaving data exposed.
Low-Tech Lockers Waste Money
Without cloud capabilities, charging lockers cannot evolve as device management needs change.
The Digital Divide Widens
Students facing housing insecurity do not have a secure place to charge devices overnight.
FUTURE STATE
Secured Charging with the FUYL Tower™ Smart Charging Locker
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.
Get Ultimate Flexibility Long Term
Easily switch modes with Cloud-connected FUYL Towers to flex for new workflows as tech advances.
Improve Digital Equity
Provide a secure charging location for those facing housing insecurity.
Quick Demo
Watch this video to see public charging workflow in action.
Maximize Your IT Team's Efficiency
Learn how you can save time and money by automating device management at your organization.
Who Uses Smart Lockers for Mobile Devices?
Smart Lockers allow multiple departments like IT, operations, and HR to see true improvements in staff uptime, teacher device uptime, and accountability for company assets when implementing into their work environments. They are used to control and track device usage, giving them the ability to assign devices to specific individuals and alerting them if devices aren’t returned. Some industries that use smart locker systems include:
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Education
Smart lockers streamline device hand out and pick up, saving tech teams as many as 250 hours when automating their break/fix program.
Read More -
Manufacturing
Smart lockers create an efficient solution for shift workers who can charge devices and speed up workflow in a fast-paced environment.
Read Case Study -
Airlines
Smart lockers allow devices to be charged in a central location prior to being taken on a plane for airport personnel like pilots and flight attendants, while secure charging spots can be set up for consumers, with remote admin control.
Read Case Study
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Energy
Smart Lockers allow field workers to securely access and use devices specifically designed for them during the day, while charging them at work overnight so they’re always ready the next day.
Read More -
Transportation
Smart lockers improve the commuter experience by seamlessly providing train conductors with fully charged and securely stored mobile technology so they can process tickets with payment methods that best suit consumer needs.
Read Case Study -
Hospitality & Entertainment
Smart lockers cut down on misplaced or uncharged devices that lead to lost productivity and missed sales opportunities, improving communication between staff workers and teams in high pressure industries.
Read More
FUYL Tower™ Smart Lockers are Trusted by Leading Organizations
Smart Charging Locker Features to Consider When Evaluating a Solution
Robust Built-In Features
To ensure that organizations can empower teams and see an ROI quickly, a smart locker system should come with built-in functionality that doesn’t require customization. Hardware should be easy to support and service in the field.
Customer-Centric Product Development
Combining both hardware and software, smart lockers designed by companies that ensure consistent enhancement and customer-focused new features mean they can evolve with your organization as it grows.
Admin Access
Remote access capabilities for multiple or unlimited administrators allows organizations to easily scale and manage thousands of devices from anywhere in the world.
Admins are able to create User Groups to better manage users and to authorize large sets of users to specific Towers or nodes.
Security
The Cloud platform powering the smart charging locker should remotely apply updates and security patches to better prepare against cyber attacks.
Data stored in the Cloud should be protected by industry-standard encryption certificates. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) protects accounts from unauthorized access. Configuring an SSO provider allows admins to securely login with one set of verified credentials.
Future-Proof Investment
Purchasing a smart locker with modular replacement parts and quick access panels that allow for hardware serviceability is key to maximizing your ROI. Regular software updates and improvement ensure Towers will be useful as device workflow changes.
The ability to switch the Smart Lockers from public charging and to break/fix or check-in/out workflows ensures that lockers are as flexible as you need them, especially in ever-changing work or education environments.
World-Class Support
World-class customer support that can assist with any issues or questions that may arise as businesses adapt to and invest in emerging and evolving technologies like the smart locker.
Evaluate FUYL Tower for Your Organization
Download this guide for techs and specs helpful for IT and Operations Teams.
Why Choose a LocknCharge Smart Charging Locker?
The FUYL Tower is a solution that optimizes and enables workflows efficiently and securely, which means businesses and organizations can save wasted time, minimize device down time and save money on labor costs.
The FUYL Tower pays for itself by reducing the loss of valuable assets, keeping devices secure and charged in 5 or 15 individually-lockable bays at a central location for on-site and nearby remote workers. Inherently contactless, it also prioritizes the health and safety of staff and is an ideal solution for ongoing social distancing protocols.
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Cloud Connectivity
An admin can remotely control user access and monitor audit logs and user analytics.
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Charging
Charges most devices, including tablets, laptops, mobile phones and Chromebooks, hot spots, scanners and more.
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Seamless Integration
Can be integrated with existing IT infrastructure and systems.
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Easily Scalable
Easily scale via the LocknCharge Cloud to manage any number of Towers and devices in less time.
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Customer-Centric Partner
LocknCharge is a customer-centric technology company that helps organizations deploy and manage mission-critical assets.
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Ready-to-Go Hardware
End-to-end electronic hardware and native Cloud management software platform work together in our patented “off-the-shelf” automated smart locker solutions like the FUYL Tower.
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Secure
Secure software and durable hardware with a lifetime warranty ensure data and devices are protected when not in use.
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New Features
Consistent Cloud and hardware enhancements add additional and long-term value.
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World-Class Support
Our products are supported by US-based, responsive customer support and a dedicated support site to troubleshoot any issues.
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Achieve ROI in 10-16 Weeks
FUYL Tower ROI averages 10-16 weeks or less.