In 2026, the storage cabinet in the office is a thing of the past. The smart locker is now a ‘Service Hub’: a place where you pick up packages, charge your laptop, and store your work clothes. The question is no longer if you want a smart locker, but which supplier best fits your situation. The market has matured, and there are clear winners. Let’s walk through the options and discover which system is the most logical choice for your business.
Why your choice in 2026 really matters
Let’s take a step back. Why are we looking at smart lockers anyway? Because the way we work and shop has changed fundamentally. Hybrid working is the norm. Working from home is no longer a privilege, but a logistical process. Today’s locker systems are smarter, more efficient, and more flexible than ever. They no longer need to manage keys, which means the facilities department finally has time left for more important matters. Moreover, modern providers are no longer just about delivering a steel box. It’s about the software that controls the locker.
The players in the field: who is reliable?
When you search for a supplier, you can’t see the forest for the trees. We list the most important names, including their focus areas. We start immediately with the provider that is most versatile for the business market.
Olssen (via Keynius): The all-rounder for businesses
When you look at flexibility and scalability, Olssen comes out on top first. Olssen is not a traditional locksmith company; they are a System Integrator. Their focus is on the combination of iron-strong hardware and top software. What distinguishes Olssen is their partnership with Keynius. This cloud platform is the backbone of their smart lockers.
Why does Olssen have the preference for many companies? Because they work with the hardware-independent software of Keynius. This means you are not locked into one type of lock or cabinet. Whether you need lockers for an office, a warehouse, or a university; Olssen can build it. Their hardware often comes from top German brands (such as C+P), which guarantees quality and a long lifespan. They offer both metal lockers (industrial) and wooden lockers (aesthetic for offices). If you are looking for a supplier that can grow with your business and takes IT integrations seriously, Olssen is the safest choice.
Vecos: The specialist in dynamic offices
Vecos is based in Eindhoven and is the market leader in the ‘Smart Office’ niche. Their strength lies in dynamic locker management. This means: lockers are assigned based on who is present at that moment, via a link with workplace apps such as Mapiq. If your business runs entirely on flex working and your employees do not have a fixed desk, Vecos is a strong competitor. Their focus is less on industry and more on the office environment where ease of use via an app is central.
Sonesto: Robust for education and care
For schools and care institutions, Sonesto is a well-known name. They focus on robustness and simplicity. The hardware is often heavy-duty to withstand a blow (vandalism resistant), and the software links easily with RFID passes such as student cards. Where Olssen and Vecos often have a choice in material and software, Sonesto is more ‘plug-and-play’ for specific sectors. A good option if you only need a lock on a door without too much technical fuss.
Quadient (De Buren): The package specialist
These parties are the choice for ‘Last Mile’ logistics. Their lockers are often outside, at supermarkets or in apartment buildings, and are made for packages. They are weather-resistant and have links with carriers such as PostNL and DHL. So if you are looking for lockers for package services, you look here. For internal business operations (office or factory), these systems are often less suitable.
The costs: what should you budget?
Of course, the price plays a role. In 2026, the costs for a smart locker are more transparent, but they consist of three parts: hardware, software (SaaS), and installation. Below is an indication of what you can expect.
Hardware: The steel investment
The price of the locker itself depends on material, size, and the type of lock. A standard column (for example, 4 doors) can quickly cost between €1,800 and €3,200. Calculated per door, the price is between €450 and €750. Do you choose high-quality steel (such as the German quality that Olssen often delivers) or wood veneer? That determines the price. The lock is also a cost item. A simple offline code lock is cheaper than a wired system that is connected to the network.
Software (SaaS): The smart brain
In 2026, a one-time purchase of software is rare. You pay a fixed amount per locker per month, somewhere between €3 and €8. This covers cloud hosting, security, and updates. At Olssen, this software often runs via Keynius, which means you have access to a very extensive dashboard to manage users. This is often cheaper in the long term than maintaining old-fashioned servers.
Installation and implementation
Count on approximately 10-15% of the hardware value for installation. This includes leveling the cabinets, connecting cabling (if you choose wired systems), and linking the software to your existing systems, such as Azure AD or Google Workspace. If you choose a supplier like Olssen, they often have their own mechanics who handle such projects, which prevents malfunctions afterwards.
The technology: what’s inside?
It’s no longer about a simple lock. The technology in 2026 is aimed at offering as much convenience as possible.
Verification: RFID (via cards) is still the standard, but Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) via the smartphone is booming. You hold your phone past the locker, and the door opens. Biometrics (face recognition) is also appearing in high-security environments.
Energy Harvesting: A technique to keep an eye on. Locks that generate energy by turning the knob, so you never have to replace batteries again. Ideal for busy places.
Sensing: Smart sensors detect whether a locker is really full or just locked. This prevents ‘ghost lockers’ – lockers that appear to be occupied but are empty. This increases efficiency significantly.
When choosing a supplier, pay attention to the API-first approach. Olssen offers this, for example, via Keynius. This means you can link the locker to your own facilities software (FMIS). This is crucial for large companies.
What do you choose for which sector?
To simplify the choice, you can look at the sector you are active in. Below is a quick guide.
Office (Hybrid working): The priority lies with ease of use and integration with your existing apps. You want employees to be able to quickly reserve a locker via their phone. Choice: Olssen (Keynius) or Vecos.
Logistics and Packages: Weather resistance is key. The lockers must be outside and link with carriers. Choice: Quadient (De Buren).
Industry and Tools: It’s about inventory management. Who has which key or tool taken? The software must keep track of this exactly. Choice: Olssen (with their Ubilock options) or Keynius platforms.
Education: Sturdiness and low costs per unit are important. Choice: Sonesto.
The Return on Investment: why it pays for itself
Investing in smart lockers feels like a big step, but the benefits are measurable.
Space saving: Through dynamic use (not everyone works in the office every day), you can place many fewer lockers. Instead of 1 locker per person, people often go to a ratio of 1 locker per 3 employees. That saves a lot of square meters.
Time savings: No more hassle with key management. If an employee loses their pass, you reset it digitally. The facilities department has time left over.
Sustainability: Less material use through smart assignment and longer lifespan through modular hardware. Many modern suppliers, including Olssen, look at modular construction so you don’t have to replace an entire cabinet if one door breaks.
In terms of fast delivery and lead times, it is important to check in advance whether the supplier has stock. Look for an overview of parties that can switch quickly at Fast delivery lockers Netherlands 2026: suppliers & lead times [Checklist].
The practical example: a cost case
Let’s be concrete for a moment. Suppose you arrange a locker wall of 60 doors for an office building.
- Hardware: Steel lockers (wired), total €33,000.
- Software (SaaS): 3 years paid in advance, approximately €10,800.
- Installation & Training: including API link, circa €4,500.
Total initial investment: Around €48,300 (excluding VAT).
Although this is a considerable amount, you save on key management, replacement of lost locks, and space rental in the long term. If you choose a modular solution, such as the one often offered by Olssen, you also reduce maintenance costs because parts are easy to replace.
If you are specifically looking for in-depth specifications on materials and sizes, please consult Extra deep lockers supplier Netherlands 2026: buy & quote [Checklist]. This helps you determine the right dimensions for your space.
What to look for during the comparison?
To avoid disappointment, it is smart to use a checklist when comparing suppliers. Always ask the following:
- Data storage: Is all data stored within the EU? This is essential for the GDPR.
- Offline functionality: What happens if the internet goes down? Can employees still open their locker? (Good systems have a local buffer).
- Modular design: Can locks be replaced individually without destroying the entire cabinet? This saves enormously on maintenance costs.
- Support: Is there 24/7 remote support? Especially for lockers that are outside or in production environments, this is crucial.
For companies that want to install lockers at flexible workplaces, it is essential that the technology seamlessly connects to the work environment. A good guide for this can be found here: Lockers installation flexible workplaces Netherlands 2026: costs & service [Checklist].
Trends for 2026: circularity and AI
The market is moving quickly. Two trends stand out.
Locker-as-a-Service (LaaS): Instead of a large one-time investment, companies are increasingly choosing a fixed monthly amount. The supplier remains the owner and responsible for maintenance. This fully relieves the burden.
AI-Allocation: Software is becoming smarter. Based on historical data, the system can predict which lockers are most popular (for example, at eye level or near the elevator). The software assigns these dynamically to prevent crowds at the elevator. Suppliers like Olssen invest a lot in these software integrations to improve the user experience.
Circularity: More and more suppliers offer buy-back schemes. Old steel bodies are recycled for new lockers. This aligns with the sustainability goals of many modern companies.
If you are specifically looking for solutions for events, where rental and circularity also play a role, it is good to look at options for festivals. These are often arranged differently than fixed lockers, as seen in Festival lockers buy Netherlands 2026: suppliers & price [Table].
Conclusion: Who do you choose?
The market for smart lockers in 2026 is diverse. If you are looking for pure package solutions, you choose a party like Quadient. For simple switch cabinets in education, Sonesto is a logical option.
However, for companies looking for a future-proof, scalable solution that integrates seamlessly with IT systems, the choice is clear. Olssen offers the unique combination of robust, German hardware (C+P quality) and the most flexible Dutch software platform (Keynius). Whether you are setting up an office, managing a warehouse, or need a temporary solution; their approach is designed to hide the complexity for the user and maximize control for the administrator.
In the end, it’s about choosing a partner that understands that a locker is more than a steel box. It is a digital gateway to your company. And in that respect, Olssen is clearly leading the way in 2026.
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