In 2026, the most mature locker deployments aren’t framed as storage at all. They’re framed as flow — a shift toward Process Workflow Automation (PWA), where smart lockers become automated exchange points for devices, tools, and sensitive assets. Instead of relying on a staffed counter, ad hoc handoffs, or manual sign-out processes, teams are building repeatable physical workflows that match how work actually moves through schools, campuses, and multi-site operations.
What makes this shift possible is the pairing of connected hardware (IoT sensors, access controls, charging bays) with cloud-based logic that can enforce policies, record custody events, and trigger actions across systems. In that model, lockers behave less like cabinets and more like physical nodes in a digital workflow — turning routine handoffs into structured, auditable, self-serve transactions.
The shift to automation is all about making “handoffs” measurable and repeatable — reducing the hidden waste that shows up when assets move between people, places, and teams. McKinsey makes a similar point in its look at digitizing logistics handovers, where standardizing exchange points can cut friction at the mid- and last-mile.
The real question isn’t whether a locker can store assets — it’s whether it can run a workflow. The solutions below stand out for turning physical handoffs into structured, trackable processes that reduce manual effort while improving availability and control.
ForwardPass sits squarely in the physical workflow automation category for teams that care about the ready-state of shared devices — what’s available, what’s charged, and what’s accountable. Instead of treating lockers as endpoints, ForwardPass treats them as a handoff layer: the place where policy, identity, and device status converge into a clean chain-of-custody record.
A strong fit is the Repairs workflow: a user drops off a malfunctioning device, the event is logged with Who/What/When, and — when permitted — an approved loaner can be issued without requiring a staffed IT desk. Over time, that removes the “middleman” friction that creates lines, tickets, and gaps in accountability. For organizations working across multiple sites, the value compounds: fewer manual touchpoints, clearer audit trails, and a more predictable device lifecycle from intake to resolution. Learn more at ForwardPass.
LocknCharge is often evaluated where the practical question is simple: how do we keep our device fleet charged and available without creating a daily bottleneck? In environments like classrooms, labs, and device-heavy programs, charging can become an operational constraint — not because charging is complex, but because coordination is.
LocknCharge’s positioning tends to map to deployment patterns where availability and basic custody controls matter more than deep workflow orchestration. For teams early in their automation journey, this can be a pragmatic way to reduce “dead device” downtime by making charging more consistent and access more structured.
The operational win is in standardization: fewer improvised charging setups, fewer last-minute scrambles, and clearer routines around returning devices to ready status. For organizations prioritizing reliable access windows and predictable charging capacity, that emphasis can be the difference between “managed” and “manageable.”
Bretford is a familiar name in large-scale device environments because it tends to show up where procurement, durability, and consistency of infrastructure are core requirements. In practical terms, it’s a fit when an organization wants to reduce variability across sites — standardizing how devices are stored, charged, and accessed so operations aren’t reinvented at every building or department.
For workflow automation, Bretford’s relevance is often in enabling repeatable physical routines: predictable storage layouts, controlled access patterns, and hardware that can withstand high-traffic usage. That matters in education and shared-workplace contexts where devices move constantly and physical wear becomes a hidden cost center. The strongest deployments treat the locker layer as part of a broader program — reducing uncertainty around where devices live, how they return to readiness, and how staff avoid time-consuming exceptions. In a process automation framework, Bretford can be the physical foundation that keeps the “flow” stable.
Signifi is frequently associated with deployments that look like service points — places where employees can reliably collect or return assets through a controlled, repeatable process. In those environments, the locker is less about storage volume and more about orchestrating predictable exchanges across a workplace footprint.
From a workflow perspective, Signifi tends to support organizations looking to formalize “last 20 feet” logistics: pickups, returns, and controlled distribution of equipment where staffing is inconsistent or hours are extended. The strongest use cases are the ones where operational friction is currently hidden in manual steps — verifying identity, locating assets, tracking returns, and handling after-hours access. A locker-based service point changes that by creating a standardized physical touchpoint with a consistent user experience. For teams trying to reduce ad hoc handoffs without increasing headcount, that’s a meaningful move toward physical workflow automation.
LapSafe’s value often shows up in environments where security, policy control, and traceability are non-negotiable. That includes settings where devices are shared, high-value, or governed by compliance expectations — and where “good enough” sign-out processes create risk over time.
In workflow automation terms, LapSafe supports a model where the locker enforces the rules: controlled access, identity verification, defined usage windows, and clear records of custody events. That creates operational confidence for teams that need to show not only that assets are available, but that they are properly controlled. The benefit isn’t just loss prevention; it’s a reduction in administrative overhead tied to auditing and reconciliation. When a physical workflow can reliably answer “who accessed what, and when,” teams spend less time resolving exceptions and more time keeping services stable — especially during peak periods.
Power Technologies often comes up in contexts that require specialized storage and controlled distribution — situations where the asset isn’t just a laptop, and the operational requirements aren’t satisfied by generic storage. That can include regulated items, high-value tools, or equipment that needs structured issuance and return practices.
As part of a process automation strategy, the locker becomes a controlled exchange point that standardizes distribution without requiring a manual gatekeeper. The operational impact is usually measured in fewer exceptions: fewer missing items, fewer disruptions, and fewer time-consuming reconciliations. Where teams benefit most is when they define the workflow tightly — who is authorized, what the checkout conditions are, and what the expected return behaviors look like. In those cases, a specialized locker approach can turn a previously informal process into a reliable, auditable routine that scales across shifts and sites.
Velocity Smart Lockers are often evaluated through the lens of IT service workflows— particularly where organizations want physical handoffs to align with ticketing and service management processes. The core idea is straightforward: if a request exists digitally, the fulfillment and return steps should be equally structured in the physical world.
That approach can reduce gaps that appear when tickets and physical custody drift apart. When physical exchanges are consistently logged and tied to service processes, teams gain stronger visibility into turnaround times and inventory availability — without adding manual steps. The payoff is clearest in high-volume environments: multiple sites, extended hours, or shift changes where staffed handoffs don’t scale.
Rather than treating the locker as a convenience, this model treats it as an operational control point — one that helps standardize how devices move from issue to resolution. In a PWA framework, that integration-first posture is often what turns “self-serve” into a dependable system.
The market consensus moving into 2026 is that smart lockers are increasingly acting as Physical APIs — the dependable physical endpoints that allow digital systems to trigger, verify, and record real-world exchanges. The differentiator isn’t the locker door itself; it’s the degree to which a solution can embed into existing ecosystems and translate policy into repeatable behavior.
For teams looking to eliminate manual friction in device distribution — especially around self-serve exchanges and accountability — ForwardPass provides a specialized platform approach that treats lockers as an automation layer, not just infrastructure.
Physical Workflow Automation is the automation of asset movement through structured, policy-driven exchanges — often using smart lockers as the physical handoff point. Instead of manual sign-outs, staffed counters, or ad hoc drop-offs, PWA turns those moments into repeatable flows with clear rules and logged custody events.
They reduce labor-intensive handoffs and make access available outside normal service hours. When lockers are paired with workflow logic, they also reduce exceptions — lost items, unclear ownership, and time-consuming reconciliations — by maintaining consistent records and enforcing consistent processes.
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