Electronic Lockers and the Future of Smart Workplaces

However, integrating smart storage lockers with access control systems can revolutionize how we think about and implement security in smart workplaces. By extending access control to “micro-spaces,” such as individual electronic locker compartments, we can achieve a new level of granularity in asset security management. 

This article explores how smart spaces work, how we can extend the concept to managing what we call micro-spaces, and how this mode of thinking has the potential to benefit a wide range of different industries. 

Learn More: Ultimate Guide to Smart Lockers

What are smart spaces?  

A smart space is any physical area or enclosure holding valuable assets that require a high level of security or management provided by a networked access control system. The access control system tracks and manages the space's use. It provides data for reports or analytics to human operators to aid in decision-making about the space and its housed assets. 

Some key characteristics of many smart spaces include: 

1. Smaller size — Typically, smart spaces are compact for more reliable control and often do not have people moving through them regularly.
2. Connectivity — Smart spaces are usually highly connected to corporate networks, Wi-Fi, or cellular networks. This could be through the access control system or directly to networked assets within the space. 
3. Independent access control — Organizations typically manage access to smart spaces separately through an independent access control system or a dedicated segment of their wider system. 

Enhancing business management and security with micro-space control 

Integrating smaller-scale physical storage systems with access control expands your organization's reach to a much more granular level. By individualizing control over individual electronic locker compartments, you create smart micro-spaces to finely control access and generate insights from collected transaction and usage data. 

Practical applications of smart lockers and other integrated micro-spaces 

The integration of electronic lockers with access control systems can be beneficial in various settings, including: 

Benefits of integrating smart lockers with access control 

Integrating smart lockers with access control systems offers a range of benefits, including enhanced operational efficiency and security. Businesses can significantly reduce costs, enhance security, and improve user experience by connecting these systems to a single management platform. 

Here are some specific benefits organizations can expect from creating managed smart spaces and micro-spaces.

Reduced operating costs and administrative overhead      

Integrating access control systems and physical asset management systems—like smart lockers—can cut operational costs significantly by streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and reducing the need for manual oversight. This integration allows seamless user privileges and asset access management within a single system. User and asset assignments can be handled entirely within the access control system, with asset assignments automatically configured based on the user's job type, department, or special assignment privileges. 

 

Improved security   

Managing access and asset storage separately can quickly lead to inconsistencies among record systems. Integration ensures a Single Source of Truth (SSoT), meaning users will lose access to all connected assets and spaces immediately when administrators change their central access control system privileges. 

 

 

 

 

Detailed audit trails      

Every interaction with an electronic locker is logged and monitored, creating a comprehensive audit trail. This documentation includes who accessed which locker, when, and for how long, enhancing accountability and tracking the movement and handling of sensitive items. 

  

 

 

Enhanced insights      

Integration of physical asset management systems allows for the rapid collection of logged events, such as overdue asset alerts, improper returns, or tamper alerts. This combined information provides invaluable insights for administrators to analyze user behavior, offering a more comprehensive view than separate systems could provide. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Streamlined user authentication and experience       

An integrated access system provides a seamless experience for users who no longer need to remember multiple credentials or go through multiple steps to gain access. Data sharing between systems allows users to use the same credentials for facility doors and micro-space access, simplifying the onboarding process and improving overall efficiency. 

 

 

 

 

Improved scalability       

Integrating access control for smart spaces and physical asset management for micro-spaces allows businesses to scale quickly. New users can be added or removed to their respective departments or job positions, with access assignments made rapidly without manual configuration needed each time someone leaves or joins the organization.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn More: Corporate Security: What an Integrated Access Control System Can Do?

Overcoming challenges in implementing smart spaces 

Smart lockers can improve your asset management program in several ways. 

Future-proofing smart security infrastructure 

As security threats evolve and become more sophisticated, integrating smart lockers with access control systems offers a proactive approach to protecting smart spaces and micro-spaces. Organizations can significantly enhance their security, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements by extending access control to micro-spaces, like smart locker compartments.

Take a Step Forward:
Implement an Integrated Physical Access and Asset Control System

Learn how to integrate these systems into a unified risk prevention system and get full access control of your facilities and physical assets.

 

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