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What is a Smart Locker?

Everything You Need to Know About Smart Locker Systems for Hardware Asset Management

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Everything You Need to Know About 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.

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What Types of Smart Lockers Exist?

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

When evaluating a smart locker system, it is important to understand different types of smart lockers to ensure your investment provides value to your 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 deliver and store parcels, making sure they get to the right recipients safely.

Day-Use Lockers
A temporary, keyless storage solution for universities, businesses, entertainment venues, etc. 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 code.

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

What is a Smart Locker System for Mobile Device Hardware Asset Management?

These lockers are typically implemented to assist with management of forgotten, lost, broken, and uncharged devices. By granting device users with access to mobile devices via a locker and controlling assignments, access, reports, etc. via a web-based portal, tech managers can provide efficient loaner access, broken device exchanges, daily checkouts, and secure individual charging.

What value does a Smart Locker System for hardware asset management provide?

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 - 24/7/365.

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.

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 you to work within a sustainable budget, while freeing up time to focus on your 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.

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

Learn more about outcomes of implementing a Smart Locker System for Hardware Asset Management.

Explore Solutions

What Use Cases are Improved with Smart Locker Systems for Hardware Asset Management?

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, a smart locker system is poised to remain an important part of future transformations.

Here are use cases that a smart locker solution can improve by keeping mobile device workflow and operations at optimal levels.

Check Out/In Device Programs

Mobile devices are critical in day-to-day operations for nearly every industry. Get the right tech into the right hands quickly and consistently.

Explore Use Case

  • Current State

    Unorganized process without a smart locker system.

  • Future State

    Organized process with the FUYL™ Smart Locker System

Current State

Unorganized process without a smart locker system.

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Poor Process / Delayed Work

Shared devices are not readily accessible nor reliability charged, delaying the workday.

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Distracted Managers

Managers are forced to prioritize distributing and collecting devices over their primary operational roles.

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High Rates of Breakage/Loss

Organizations experience significant device breakage and loss for shared devices that are not being secured or tracked.

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Increased Data Breaches

Organizations’ data is exposed when devices are not securely stored, and MDM software is not enough.

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Future State

Organized process with the FUYL™ Smart Locker System

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Ensure Devices Are Always Ready

Facilitate a reliable process so devices are always accessible and in a ready-to-use state.

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Focus on Higher-Level Tasks

Employees are empowered to manage devices without oversight, so managers can focus on management-level tasks.

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Hold Device Users Accountable

Track device usage for “who, what and when”, adding accountability so shared devices are cared for.

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Protect Data

Secure storage of devices mitigates risk and protects your school or business from costly data breaches.

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Broken Device Exchanges / Loaner Check Outs

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 in just a few minutes.

Explore Use Case

  • Current State

    Manual process without a smart locker system.

  • Future State

    Automated process with the FUYL™ Smart Locker System

Current State

Manual process without a smart locker system.

Stroke 1
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.

Stroke 1
Lengthy Device Downtime

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

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Recruitment Challenges & Increased Labor Expenses

Organizations are unable to acquire talent to meet workload demands.

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Future State

Automated process with the FUYL™ Smart Locker System

Stroke 1
Save Time & Balance Workloads

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

Stroke 1
Minimize Device Downtime

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

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Save Money on Labor Costs

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

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Secure, Individual Charging

When a device is left alone to charge in a wall outlet, it often winds up lost, stolen, or damaged. Offering secure charging in individually-lockable bays provides peace of mind.

Explore Use Case

  • Current State

    Unsecured charging without a smart locker system

  • Future State

    Secure, individual charging with the FUYL™ Smart Locker System

Current State

Unsecured charging without a smart locker system

Stroke 1
Devices Are Not Charged When Needed

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

Stroke 1
Increased Theft and Data Breaches

Devices that are left unattended while charging are at greater risk of theft, leaving data exposed.

Stroke 1
Low-Tech Lockers Waste Money

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

Stroke 1
The Digital Divide Widens

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

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Future State

Secure, individual charging with the FUYL™ Smart Locker System

Stroke 1
Ensure Devices Are Always Ready

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

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Protect Devices and Data

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

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Get Ultimate Flexibility Long Term

A portal-connected FUYL Smart Locker System enables tech managers to use the same smart locker system for multiple use cases – ensuring that your investment will continue to provide value, even as your program evolves.

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Improve Digital Equity

Provide a secure charging location for those facing housing insecurity.

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Learn how a FUYL™ Smart Locker System can provide your organization with a better way to manage hardware assets.

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Who Uses Smart Lockers for Managing Mobile Devices and Other Hardware Assets?

Smart Locker Systems are designed to make life easier for anyone who is tasked with managing tech in their organization. This could include multiple departments or roles within all industries.

Which industries use Smart Locker Systems for managing devices?

Typically technology professionals, operations roles, and human resource departments see major improvements to device uptime and oversight for company hardware assets. Some industries that use smart locker systems include:

Manufacturing

Mobile devices play a critical role in day-to-day operations for manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing. Get the right tech into the right hands quickly and consistently.

Learn More
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.

Learn More
Higher Education

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

Learn More
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.

Learn More
Education

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

Learn More

Learn how a FUYL™ Smart Locker System can make life easier for those tasked with managing mobile devices.

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