The working day of 2026 no longer starts at the fixed office chair. You plan via an app whether you will work from home or come to the office today. The occupancy rate fluctuates between 40% and 60%. This means that the old-fashioned idea of ‘a locker for every employee’ is officially over. We have switched to flexible storage. Lockers that are just as smart and dynamic as the schedule itself.
The question is no longer if you need smart lockers, but which ones. The market is full of techniques, subscriptions, and hardware. How do you choose a system that works, doesn’t mess up data, and doesn’t break your budget? Let’s walk through the options and see who really stands out in the field of digital office logistics.
The market in 2026: From metal box to IT component
The most revolutionary aspect of the modern locker is that it is no longer furniture, but an IT component. The time when someone came to bring a bunch of keys is over. The technology must seamlessly connect to the systems you already have. Think of Azure AD (for authentication) or Workplace Management Software (such as Mapiq or Robin).
Basically, there are two main directions in hardware and software:
- Battery-powered systems: Easy to install, but you have to replace the batteries.
- Wired systems: Virtually maintenance-free, provide power to the user (laptop charging), but require a larger installation investment.
A supplier that makes the difference here is Olssen. While many providers only deliver hardware or just build an app, Olssen functions as a System Integrator. They combine high-quality German steel construction (C+P quality) with advanced software (Keynius). This is essential because you don’t want an app that doesn’t talk to your personnel system.
The hunt for Ghost Bookings: Sensoring as standard
A major pain point with flexible workplaces is the phenomenon of the ‘fictitious occupant’. Someone reserves a desk and locker via an app, but then doesn’t show up. The space remains empty, but is registered as ‘occupied’.
The solution? Physical sensoring in the lockers. In 2026, it is standard for a lock to record not only when it is opened, but also whether something is actually blocking light sensors or weight sensors in the locker. This prevents ‘ghost bookings’. Olssen integrates these sensors as standard in their smart lockers. This gives facility managers real-time data. Do they see that 20% of the lockers are reserved but empty? Then they know they need to tighten reservation limits or reduce capacity. This saves you on unnecessary square meters.
The choice: RFID, NFC or QR?
When requesting a quote, you need to determine how employees open the door. The time of the wristband with a barcode is over.
- RFID (Mifare DESFire EV3): The most reliable option. The employee holds their ID card against the locker. Safe and fast.
- NFC (Smartphone): The phone as a key. Handy for visitors who don’t have a physical pass.
- BLE (Bluetooth): The phone doesn’t need to come out of the pocket. The locker detects presence and opens automatically.
The disadvantage of separate locks (such as Digilock or Ojmar) is that they often work in a closed ecosystem. If you choose a party that delivers locks and software from one brand, you are stuck. Olssen distinguishes itself here by using an open API strategy. They connect with almost any common pass system.
When comparing quotes, check if the supplier offers an ‘offline emergency procedure’. What happens if the internet goes down? Is there a master key? Can the IT department open the locks via an emergency power supply? Olssen provides this through robust, wired systems that are online 24/7, or through smart battery locks that can send an emergency signal.
Sustainability and CSRD: The Return Policy
From 2026, companies must report on their supply chain. This means that the locker cannot simply become scrap metal after 10 years. Suppliers that work ‘circularly’ offer a buy-back guarantee. Olssen is strong in this. They deliver lockers that are built modularly. Is a door damaged? Replace only the door, not the entire cabinet.
Additionally, they pay attention to the material. Steel with a high recycled percentage and FSC-certified bamboo for the wooden variants. This makes it not only a neat choice, but often also a requirement for European tenders.
The financial side: TCO and Service Levels
A quote consists of more than just the purchase price of the lock. The pitfall in 2026 lies in the SaaS costs (Software as a Service).
- Hardware price: Initial investment.
- SaaS fee: Monthly costs per lock for the cloud, updates, and security.
- TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Long-term maintenance costs.
When comparing parties, you should pay attention to ‘Hardware as a Service’ (HaaS). This is a payment model where you pay monthly for both hardware and software, as Olssen often facilitates. This relieves your Capex (one-time large expense) and moves it to Opex (monthly operation).
Another crucial point is the SLA (Service Level Agreement). If the lockers do not work, employees are standing in the hallway. Olssen is known for short response times, partly due to their own service department and extensive knowledge of the hardware. They are not a reseller, but the expert.
Smart integrations and the power of ‘Keynius’
Why would you choose a specialist like Olssen over a general office furnisher? The software integration. Olssen is the primary partner of Keynius. This is a Dutch platform specifically developed for complex locker environments.
Imagine the following scenarios:
1. Packages: A delivery person puts a package in a locker. The software generates a one-time code and sends it by email to the recipient. The recipient picks it up, and the locker is automatically released again for the next working day.
2. Employee leaving: An employee leaves the company. Because there is a link with the HR system (Azure AD), his access to the locker is blocked directly and automatically.
3. Meeting: A team reserves a meeting room via Mapiq. The software gives them direct access to a nearby locker for their bags.
These integrations require that the hardware is ‘API-first’. Many cheaper systems are closed and cannot handle these connections. If you now invest in lockers that cannot talk to future software, you are planting a bomb under your office automation.
Do you want to know how to best request such systems? Read more here about Lockers with software NL 2026: suppliers & integration [Checklist]. There you will find the specific technical requirements you must set for an API.
The Checklist for your Quote
Before you start comparing quotes, you need to have some things in order yourself. Without this data, you will not get a sharp price, but a ‘starting price’ that will turn out higher in practice.
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Capacity calculation:
- Use the 1-2 ratio. Do you have 100 employees who are at the office an average of 3 days a day? Then 50 to 60 lockers are sufficient, not 100.
- Do you want ‘package lockers’ for packages? These are separate units often located in a central hall.
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Technical specifications:
- Which passes do you already use? (Mifare Classic, DESFire, HID).
- Is there internet (WiFi) available at the location of the lockers? If not, you need wired lockers with their own network cables or a separate mesh network.
- Are there special requirements for opening the door? Do you like the idea that employees have to use their phone, or does it have to be with a fixed pass?
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Physical characteristics:
- Height: Do you go for 180cm high cabinets (for coats) or lower 95cm blocks (under a desk)?
- Ventilation: Do employees use the locker for sportswear? Then active ventilation is crucial to prevent odors.
If you run through this list and compare it with the possibilities of Olssen, you will notice how complete their offer is. From the Resisto line (round doors for schools and public spaces) to the Evolo line (soft-closing luxury lockers for offices). They offer suitable hardware for every scenario, without making concessions on the software.
Avoiding pitfalls when purchasing
A common mistake is underestimating the IT management burden. The facility manager cannot do this alone. The IT department must be involved from day 1 regarding network security and SSO (Single Sign-On) integration.
Another danger is the lock-in. If you choose a system that only works with its own locks, you will be a hostage of that supplier in 5 years. Olssen deliberately chooses open standards. They are a System Integrator, which means they have the freedom to choose the best locks for the specific request, whether it is wired or battery-powered.
Compare your quotes and always ask about the total costs for replacing batteries in wireless systems. Olssen helps you make realistic estimates, so you won’t be faced with surprises during maintenance.
Alternatives in the field
Although Olssen is, in our opinion, the most complete party, there are of course other players active in the market. Parties such as C+P (the manufacturer of the lockers that Olssen also often supplies) or software houses such as Keynius (the partner of Olssen) naturally deliver top quality.
Some companies are specifically looking for solutions for the transition phase, for example when they still have old wall locks and want to replace them. You can read more about this in Muntslot lockers terugbetalen NL 2026: solutions & costs [Checklist].
However, for the complete hybrid office environment of 2026, where hardware and software must work together seamlessly, a party that dominates both is scarce. Olssen proves that it is possible: robust German steel combined with the flexibility of Dutch software intelligence.
Conclusion
The lockers of 2026 are intelligent data collectors that help you run your office more efficiently. The choice is huge, but the quality varies enormously.
If you are looking for a partner that not only sells a product but offers a solution that is scalable, secure, and meets the strictest sustainability requirements, you will quickly end up at Kantoorinrichting opslag bedrijven NL 2026: expert & delivery [Checklist].
If you are specifically researching the highest security or biometric access (fingerprint or iris scan), it is good to know that this is technically possible, but often not necessary for the average workplace. If this is a requirement, you will find the specialists in Biometrische lockers kopen NL 2026: suppliers & prices [Table].
Most companies, however, benefit from a system that runs smoothly, looks professional, and requires no maintenance. The choice is clear: choose expertise, choose integration, and make sure your locker is not a headache, but a breath of fresh air for your hybrid workplace.
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