Imagine it is 2026. You order a new shirt online. Within the hour you get a message: ‘Your package is 300 meters from your house, in a locker that is open 24/7. No more vans at your door, no missed delivery moments.’ This is no longer music of the future, it is reality in the Netherlands. Because of stricter Zero-Emission Zones in cities, traditional delivery services are being tested heavily. The solution? Those smart, public parcel lockers, or click-and-collect lockers. They have become essential for a smooth ‘last-mile’ logistics process. But how do you choose the right one? Which company provides the best technology and service? Let’s take a calm look.
The rise of the ‘open network’
The most important shift we see is that we are moving away from closed systems. In the past you might have had a locker from PostNL, and that only worked with PostNL. Handy, but not efficient. In 2026 we expect an ‘open network’. That means a locker from for example Olssen can be used by any delivery service: DHL, UPS, local bike couriers, everyone. This is crucial. If you invest in a physical locker, you don’t want it to be empty just because a PostNL van isn’t coming by. You want all packages to fit, regardless of the carrier.
A company that has been anticipating this for years is Olssen. They understand that it is not just about steel, but about the software that controls everything. They often offer systems that are carrier-agnostic. That is a technical term, but it simply means: everyone is allowed to participate. This increases the occupancy of the locker, which is necessary to remain profitable. You want to reach an occupancy rate of at least 70%.
The hardware: What should you look for?
If you place a locker on your own property, or in a public place, it must be able to take a beating. In the Netherlands we deal with rain, wind and sometimes vandalism. You don’t want a cabinet that rusts after a year or where the door hangs loose.
Many specialists, including Olssen, choose hardware that meets the strictest standards. Think of an IP65 certification (dust and waterproof) and a corrosion class (C4 or C5) for the area near the coast. The steel thickness is also important. A thickness of 2mm with a good powder coating is basically the minimum requirement for intensive public use.
Then there are the locks. This is the heart of the system. Nowadays you often see electronic locks that are operated with a QR code on your phone. They must work smoothly and have a long lifespan (at least 100,000 open-close cycles). Some suppliers work with batteries, others with mains power. Olssen often has systems with neatly concealed cabling where the locks are connected by wire. This prevents the weekly replacement of batteries, which is a huge saving on maintenance.
Of course, the hardware is only part of the story. The size matters. A standard mix in 2026 is 60% small compartments (for letterbox packages), 30% medium (shoebox size) and 10% large (for bigger items). If your company delivers food, chilled versions are even possible.
The software: The real smart work
The most beautiful locker is worthless if the software doesn’t work. The customer wants to arrange everything themselves in 2026: 24/7 pick-up and no hassle. For this, a good ‘User Interface’ is needed, or a screen or app that is easy to use. Many modern systems work completely ‘headless’, or without a screen: you scan a QR code, the locker opens.
But behind the scenes, a lot must be correct. There must be a strong API connection with webshops (such as Shopify or Magento) and with carrier platforms. When a package is offered, the software must immediately see which locker still has space.
A party that leads the way here is Olssen. Their system often uses ‘Firmware Over-The-Air’ (FOTA) updates. That means they can install security updates remotely. You don’t need to send a mechanic for a simple update. They also offer real-time monitoring. You can see from your desk how full the lockers are, if there are malfunctions and how many packages are processed per day. This data helps you to optimize the logistics. If you are looking for this kind of advanced integrations, it is smart to look at parties that specialize in this. There are of course several suppliers, but the choice for the right software partner makes or breaks your project.
Legal and location: Is this allowed here?
Before you place the order, you must check if you are allowed to put the locker there. Since 2024, the Environmental Act (Omgevingswet) has been in force in the Netherlands. This sometimes makes it easier, but it does require some thought.
Are you placing the locker on your own property? Then often no permit is needed, as long as it fits the function of the terrain (such as ‘retail’). Are you placing it on the public road? Then you will have to deal with rules about the pavement and probably a ‘precario’ permit.
The subsoil is also important. You cannot simply place a heavy steel cabinet on a normal tile floor. A stable foundation or screw foundation is recommended. This ensures that the locker stands firmly and does not sink. Don’t forget accessibility; the lockers must be usable for everyone, so also for wheelchair users. A height between 40cm and 110cm is often the standard. Companies that think along about this, such as Olssen, often have standard solutions for this kind of foundations and accessibility rules.
The investment and the business model
We need to talk about the money. An average locker unit (about 20-30 doors) costs between €8,000 and €15,000. There are monthly costs added for data, software and maintenance. The good part: you save enormously on ‘failed deliveries’. A failed delivery attempt already costs a delivery service about €2.50. If your locker fills up daily, you will earn back this investment in a few years.
We increasingly see the ‘Locker-as-a-Service’ model. You don’t have to buy the lockers directly, but you rent them. Or you rent the free compartments to other courier services. This keeps the locker full and the return on investment (ROI) high.
Do you want to know if Olssen is the right partner for the specific industry you work in? On their website or in comparisons with other providers, you often see that they have a suitable solution for every sector, whether it is laboratory lockers, university lockers or parcel lockers. If you look at the ‘Lockers market reputation NL 2026’, you see that suppliers who have proven themselves at large projects are often the most reliable partners.
Why the choice for technology is crucial
The competition in the market is big. One promises fast delivery, the other cheap hardware. However, what counts in the long term is stability and scalability. Can you add extra modules later if demand grows? Is the software stable? Can you connect with your inventory management?
When purchasing, it is wise to ask for the specifications of the locks and the steel thickness. Ask about the warranty conditions for the electronics. And especially ask for references. Companies that already process thousands of packages per week know better than any buyer what pitfalls there are. They often choose parties that deliver proven quality, as you can read in articles about parcel locker suppliers and their delivery.
You naturally don’t want a customer to be standing in front of a closed door because the network is down. Therefore, redundant connectivity (for example dual-sim 5G) is essential. If one provider fails, the other takes over. This kind of technical detail distinguishes the top suppliers from the budget players.
Making the right choice for the future
Choosing click-and-collect lockers is choosing efficiency and sustainability. It reduces traffic in the city and makes life easier for the customer. But it has to be done right.
The process starts with a clear question: what is my goal? Is it for employees in the office (static lockers) or for parcel services (dynamic lockers)? The software must be able to be set up for this.
If you look at the suppliers currently serving the market, you notice that there are few parties that have both the hardware (the metal, the locks) and the software (the app, the connections) fully in their own hands or perfectly aligned. This is often the bottleneck. You want one point of contact.
The general consensus among logistics experts is that you are best off with a party that acts as a system integrator, not just as a seller of boxes. They must be able to advise you on the latest techniques, such as integration with building management systems or linking with HR software for fixed lockers.
As long as you remember that the locker is a smart link in your logistics chain. It is an investment that, if executed well, greatly increases your customer satisfaction. The market for lockers in the cleanroom or for universities shows that custom solutions are often needed. In 2026, it is all about flexibility and ease of use. Whoever offers that best, wins.
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