Hybrid work and hot desking have transformed office design across New Zealand. As permanent desks disappear, secure personal storage becomes essential. Enter smart lockers—a solution that combines technology, flexibility, and design to meet the needs of modern workplaces.
Why Smart Lockers Are Essential in Today’s Offices
The modern workplace is evolving rapidly. With hybrid work models becoming the norm, employees no longer have fixed desks or personal storage space. This shift creates a challenge: how do you provide secure, convenient storage without reverting to old-fashioned, inefficient systems?
Smart lockers solve this problem. They offer a flexible, technology-driven solution that supports hybrid work, improves employee experience, and optimises space. Instead of relying on keys or manual allocation, smart lockers use digital access methods and automated management tools to make storage simple and efficient.
If you’re looking for a solution that combines advanced technology with sleek design, explore Europlan’s Yellowbox Smart Locker System—a proven choice for modern workplaces.
What Makes a Locker “Smart”?
Smart lockers are more than just storage units. They combine:
- Electronic locks (wired or wireless)
- IoT hardware such as kiosks and RFID readers
- Management software for booking and access control
Employees can open lockers using RFID cards, mobile apps, PIN codes, or even Microsoft Teams integration. This multi-access approach ensures flexibility and prevents lockouts. For facilities teams, smart lockers eliminate time-consuming tasks like key handovers, lock resets, and manual audits.
Europlan partners with Yellowbox, a global leader in smart locker technology, to bring these solutions to New Zealand workplaces. Yellowbox systems are trusted by major organisations worldwide for their reliability, security, and ease of use.
The Business Case for Smart Lockers
Smart lockers aren’t just convenient—they deliver measurable benefits:
- 249 hours per year saved in facility management per 100 lockers
- 381 hours per year saved for employees
- 30–40% fewer lockers and floor space required
- 87% user preference for smart locks
These savings come from self-service booking, multi-access options, and automated management tools that keep lockers available and fair. Yellowbox data shows that workplaces using smart lockers achieve higher utilisation and reduce wasted space significantly.
Best Practices for Implementing Smart Lockers
1. Mix Locker Modes
Permanent lockers work well for consistent users, while hot lockers (daily or weekly) provide flexibility for hybrid workers. This approach maximises utilisation and reduces wasted space.
2. Enable Multi-Access
RFID + mobile + PIN ensures no lockouts and supports different user preferences.
3. Automate Management
Use “camping emails” to reclaim unused lockers and maintain high utilisation without manual audits.
4. Communicate Clearly
Label hot locker banks, provide simple onboarding guides, and allow advance booking via mobile apps.
Security and Technology Considerations
Choose between wired locks, which allow optional device charging, and wireless locks for retrofits. Wired options can include USB-C and USB-A charging inside lockers—ideal for hybrid workers who need flexibility.
Security is critical. Ensure your provider meets ISO-27001 standards, uses secure VLAN configurations, and offers penetration testing for peace of mind. Yellowbox systems are designed with enterprise-grade security and compliance in mind.
Real-World Results
Smart lockers are already delivering results for leading organisations worldwide. For example, one global financial institution reduced locker numbers by 40% and saved thousands of hours in administration annually. Another enterprise achieved 86% utilisation across more than 1,700 lockers, saving over 4,000 hours in management time each year. These outcomes are driven by Yellowbox’s data-led approach to configuration and utilisation.
Why Choose Europlan?
Europlan brings global best practices to New Zealand workplaces. Through our partnership with Yellowbox, we deliver smart locker solutions that integrate seamlessly with your office design, IT systems, and employee experience goals. From planning and configuration to installation and change management, we make the process simple and effective.
Learn more about the Yellowbox Smart Locker System and how it can transform your workplace.
Ready to Transform Your Workplace?
Smart lockers aren’t just storage—they’re a strategic advantage for hybrid work. Talk to Europlan today about designing a smart locker solution that saves space, reduces costs, and improves employee experience.
Contact one of our workplace design experts today.
