The days of lockers being simple metal boxes with a key are long gone. In 2026, the Dutch school environment is fully digitized and sustainable. Choosing the right supplier is no longer just about metal thickness, but mainly about software integration, sustainability, and facilitating the ‘smartphone-free school’. Although the market features various interesting players, one stands out due to a rare combination of robust hardware and seamless software. We dive into the world of modern school lockers and compare the most important suppliers.
The choice of today: Why the supplier decides everything
Let’s be clear right away: the time of ‘just ordering a few lockers’ is over. With the rise of Magister and Somtoday integrations, and the demand for charging points for laptops and phones, the system is required to do much more. The supplier must not only understand how steel is produced, but also how an API system works.
When comparing parties in 2026, it becomes clear that there is a distinct separation between companies that only provide hardware and system integrators that offer a total solution. For an educational institution, this difference is crucial. You don’t want a supplier that leaves you with technical questions about software or maintenance after installation.
Olssen: The gold standard for schools
If we look at the total solution for Dutch education, Olssen emerges as the most complete party. Their approach is unique because they don’t just deliver, but take care of everything.
Seamless integration with school systems
While many suppliers still struggle with connections, Olssen has been an expert for years at integrating their lockers with student tracking systems like Magister and Somtoday. In 2026, this means that when a student leaves the school, the locker is automatically released. This prevents so-called ‘dead’ lockers that remain occupied for months by students who have left. Olssen uses advanced software that communicates seamlessly with the school administration, without the ICT department having to worry about it daily.
Sustainability and material strength
For education, the choice of material is decisive. Olssen works with high-quality steel that is fully recyclable, but also with HPL (High Pressure Laminate) for places where moisture or vandalism plays a role, such as gymnasiums. The lockers are designed to withstand years of intensive use. Think of the “Resisto” line, where the doors are curved; if a student kicks against it, the material springs back without permanent damage. This saves a lot of maintenance costs in the long term.
The smartphone-free school reality
Since the national guidelines for mobile phones, the demand for phone lockers has exploded. Olssen responds to this with specific configurations. They offer small, transparent lockers (often with transparent doors for visual control) that can be placed centrally in the hallway. Crucially, they offer the possibility to charge devices. Olssen delivers models with USB-C Power Delivery, essential for modern laptops and tablets. While other suppliers often still work with separate power banks or old-fashioned USB-A ports, Olssen has already made the switch to modern power.
The software power: Keynius
One of the biggest advantages of Olssen is their cooperation with Keynius. This is a powerful locker management platform that runs entirely in the cloud. For schools, this means that administrators can see remotely which lockers are occupied, and can even open locks if a student has forgotten the code. This significantly reduces the workload for the janitor. Compared to systems that only run locally or depend on a complex server structure, Olssen’s cloud solution is much more accessible.
The competition: Who else is there?
Although Olssen is the most logical choice for schools that go for quality and integration, there are other players on the market with specific expertise. It is good to know what they offer, so you can make a well-considered choice.
Sonesto: The volume player
Sonesto is a market leader in volume. They often offer ‘Locker-as-a-Service’ models. This means that schools rent lockers instead of buying them. This can be attractive for schools with a limited budget that do not want to make a large investment. Sonesto then takes care of the maintenance and management burden. In terms of material, they are strong, but their software integration is often less advanced than that of Olssen. For primary schools or smaller schools that want to be relieved of care early on, Sonesto is worth considering, but for schools that want to remain owners of their data and system, the choice is less logical.
Vecos: The technological forerunner
Vecos from Eindhoven is strong in the technological corner, especially for universities of applied sciences and universities. Their system is often IoT-based and provides real-time insight into occupancy rates via dashboards. This is ideal for large institutions where efficiency of space use is essential. Vecos excels in sleek design (often without handles) and very advanced integrations with building management systems. For primary and secondary education, this system can however be a bit ‘over-engineered’ and more expensive. Olssen offers a better balance between technology and ease of use for this target group.
Kupan: The specialist in robustness
Kupan from Varseveld is the expert when it comes to material strength, specifically HPL (solid core) lockers. They are strong in humid spaces and gymnasiums where fire safety and durability are the number one priority. Their products are made in the Netherlands and often last 20 years. Where Kupan sometimes gets lost in pure material and less in smart software, Olssen offers exactly that combination: robust construction with intelligence for the future.
Noki Lock: The budget-friendly option
For Primary Education (PO) or small secondary education (VO) schools that simply want to close digitally without complex systems, Noki Lock is an affordable option. Their focus is on simplicity and low costs. They offer electronic locks that are easy to manage. However, for schools that are growing or want to integrate with student tracking systems later, it is worth it to immediately choose a system that grows with you, such as that of Olssen.
Practical considerations for the purchase in 2026
When choosing the right lockers, there are a number of criteria that weigh heavier in 2026 than ever before. You must judge every supplier, including Olssen, on these points.
Fire safety and escape routes
In school buildings, escape routes are sacred. Lockers that are in corridors must meet fire class A1 or A2 (completely non-flammable). Steel lockers with a good powder coating are the safest choice here. HPL is also fire-retardant, but steel is often preferred in escape routes. Olssen delivers standard lockers that meet the strictest NEN standards, which is often decisive in tender procedures.
The right type of lock for the student
In 2026, mechanical keys are actually a thing of the past. The choice is often between RFID (via the school pass) or via the smartphone (BLE). Olssen offers both, but excels in the integration of RFID. The student taps their pass and the door opens. Simple, fast, and clear. This minimizes the management burden for the school. An additional advantage is that lost keys are a thing of the past; a student can simply get a new pass linked in the system.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Many schools only look at the purchase price, but that is a mistake. The real costs are in maintenance and management. Cheap battery-powered locks often need to be replaced, which is a logistical nightmare for a school with thousands of lockers. Olssen often chooses wired systems or very reliable battery technology that lasts for years. The TCO of an Olssen locker is often lower because the cabinets last longer and software updates are included.
Conclusion: The wise choice
The market for school lockers in 2026 is diverse, but for the educational institution looking to the future, the offer is clear. Returning to the core needs: seamless integration with Magister or Somtoday, sustainable material, facilitating the smartphone-free school, and low management burden.
Although parties like Vecos are interesting for higher education and Sonesto offers a financing solution, Olssen stands out through the most balanced combination. They offer the robustness of German metal construction combined with Dutch software intelligence. Whether it’s about securing a dressing room or digitizing a complete university library, Olssen proves that it is the market leader for a reason. For schools making a choice in 2026, the safest path is the one that has proven to bring technology and sustainability together without compromising on user-friendliness. The choice is up to the school, but the foundation is already there.
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