Smart Locker Software & Management Platforms: How to Control and Optimize Your Lockers

Key Points

• Smart locker technology has progressed from basic hardware solutions to advanced software systems that operate these devices. The smart locker software functions as the main distinguishing factor that enables secure boxes to operate as an intelligent, responsive system.
• Modern smart locker software requires more than door-opening functionality because it needs to establish complete integration with enterprise technology systems. Research shows organizations face challenges when deploying new technologies because 95% of them need platforms that access data through native APIs. 
• The most advanced platforms now exceed basic transaction recording capabilities through their implementation of predictive analytics. AI-powered systems use predictive analytics to predict customer needs, schedule maintenance operations, and optimize storage asset optimization, which converts operational data into business value.

The physical smart locker operated as the primary main character throughout various years. Smart lockers now use hardware as their base standard because organizations have started deploying thousands of units across their global locations. The software platform represents the lasting competitive advantage that surpasses all other aspects of value.

The core system functions as the central control system, which unites all lockers, users, and assets into one unified system. The platform functions as an intelligent system that enforces organizational policies and connects vital business systems to extract operational value from storage networks.

Physical box development remains the main focus of companies, which prevents them from recognizing their core operational requirements. Organizations need to pick software platforms that offer more than dashboard features because they need platforms that scale securely and intelligently for physical asset management automation at the last mile. 

The lock mechanism operates as standard equipment, but the advanced operational system represents the actual transformative element.

Core Features of Smart Locker Software as Strategic Advantages

With a cursory glance at any smart locker software package, you will see that most have similar features; however, a strategic assessment goes beyond just the name of the feature to comprehend what the capability behind the feature is and how it will benefit the business. A contemporary system will convert basic functionality into strategic advantages.

Central Administrator Dashboard that Extends Global Visibility and Control

Centralized administrative dashboards allow the owner of the locker network an overall view of all lockers, who has used them, when they have been used, if policies are being enforced across borders, etc. 

It allows for the collection and management of thousands of lockers on multiple continents from one location. This provides owners with global visibility and command/control over their lockers, and the confidence that policies are consistently enforced across the global network of lockers.

Role-Based Access Control for Highly Granular Security

RBAC is an upgrade from simple open and close commands. An RBAC-based system allows the creation and enforcement of complex business rules, such as allowing only trained technicians to access sensitive medical equipment. Companies can establish granular access to their sensitive equipment and enforce only the access they want or require.

Real-Time Monitoring and Notification to Improve Operational Awareness

Real-time notifications represent a new concept for many companies because, rather than having to conduct a forensic analysis of an event to find out what occurred, they can now receive notifications regarding specific events as they occur (e.g., if a locker door is not closed correctly or if a critical spare part is getting low).

API-Based Integration Framework for Seamless Enterprise Connectivity

The API-based integration model allows you to connect all aspects of the locker network to every other system that operates the business (e.g., ITSM, ERP, HRIS, etc.) to create a fully automated and integrated workflow. This is critical for creating low-value-added, costly workflow automation solutions that do not require any custom development.

Custom Workflow Automation Framework to Optimize Business Process Flexibility

A custom workflow automation framework enables users to design and implement customized workflows (e.g., a multi-step IT replacement swap or temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical delivery) without rewriting the underlying software. This capability allows businesses the flexibility to innovate and update business processes quickly.

Business Benefits of Implementing Smart Locker Software

When used as a software platform, the business benefits of using intelligent smart locker software extend much further than dollar savings. An intelligent smart locker platform delivers value in three important ways:

Manual Friction to Automated Flow

The first benefit is removing manual processes that take time and require IT technicians to be present. Employees can immediately access a new device instead of waiting for an IT technician to deliver the device. This automated process directly leads to increased productivity and operational efficiency. 

Organizations that have adopted intelligent automation platforms have reported large increases in operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Security Gap to Proactive Governance

An intelligent smart locker platform enables real-time auditing of all asset interactions, which provides an immutable, real-time audit trail of every asset interaction. In addition, the information generated from the intelligent platform serves as the basis for proactive governance. Instead of finding out about asset loss during an audit once per quarter, management will know about anomalies when they occur.

This ability is vital to remain compliant with certain federal regulations, such as SOX and HIPAA. The capability of the intelligent platform to be proactive in its approach to security transforms security into a governance-based, proactive, and data-driven discipline.

Data Overload to Actionable Insight

The difference between a legacy system producing data and an intelligent platform producing actionable insight. By using AI and machine learning, an intelligent locker platform has the ability to glean opportunities for optimization from usage data. 

The intelligent smart locker software can make recommendations such as consolidating unused locker banks, predicting when an item may be needed at a certain location, or identifying patterns that would indicate the need for user retraining. An intelligent locker network can be a valuable source of business intelligence for improved decision-making.

The Signifi Smart Locker Advantage

Signifi has differentiated itself by using a vertically integrated system where we manufacture both our hardware and software – SignifiVision™. This means we can provide a reliable, secure, and intelligent environment that cannot be achieved with other vendors that only integrate third-party components.

1. AI-Powered Predictive Analytic Capabilities: Our platform uses machine learning capabilities to provide predictive analytic capabilities beyond just reporting. It will analyze trends and forecast future requirements, identify potential hardware faults before they need to go offline, and recommend ways to optimize your entire locker network.
2. Seamless End-to-End Workflows: Our control over the entire technology stack offers the ability to develop complex and custom processes “out of the box”. For example, temperature monitoring of sensitive products and creating multi-user access protocols can be developed with our hardware and software working in complete synchronization.
3. Proven Security and Scalability for the Enterprise: SignifiVision™ is built to support the strictest security and scalability requirements of global companies. The SOC 2 and GDPR certifications allow for managing thousands of lockers around the world while providing a secure and dependable foundation for your most critical asset management processes.

How Smart Locker Software Helps Fortune 500 Enterprise

Recent requests from a global technology firm, which employs over 50,000 people across several locations, for assistance with automating and improving their current manual process of IT asset deliveries (such as laptops, desktop computers, etc.) indicated that their current method was inefficient, slow, and there was no reliable record to verify deliveries through the company’s audit process.

Signifi Smart Lockers, powered by the SignifiVISION™ software platform, have provided the global technology firm with the tools it needed to automate its Request, Approval, and Delivery Process. Signifi has integrated SignifiVision™ with ServiceNow, which allows the company’s employees to make requests for new laptops or accessories through the ServiceNow application and get back an email with a unique QR Code.

This allows employees to simply walk into a nearby Signifi Smart Locker and scan their QR Code, which releases the requested item to them in seconds. The global technology firm has been able to cut in half the amount of time it takes to deliver IT assets to its employees, provide a detailed record of every asset delivered, and significantly decrease its risk of losing any asset and/or being in violation of regulatory compliance.

Making Smart Locker Software the Business Strategy

When selecting a smart locker solution, you must evaluate it beyond just the physical devices. The most critical decision you will make is determining what software platform to use, as the software will be the key strategic asset. The platform will dictate your smart locker solution’s capability to secure, manage, and leverage your entire smart locker network for the long-term benefit of your business.

Reach out to Signifi to learn how the right smart locker software can help transform your asset management operations for the better.