8 Reasons Our Customers Automated Lockers
After working with universities, colleges, healthcare organisations, and workplaces around the world, we've identified the most common reasons organisations choose to automate laptop, Chromebook and tablet loans with self-service Smart Lockers.
While reducing staff workload remains a key benefit, today's organisations are increasingly looking for ways to improve access to technology, gain greater visibility of their assets, and create a better user experience.
1. Eliminate Manual Processes
Traditional device loans often rely on service desks, spreadsheets, paper forms or manual sign-in processes.
Self-service loan lockers automate the entire process, allowing users to collect and return devices independently using their existing credentials.
This reduces administration, improves accountability, and creates a more efficient experience for both users and support teams.
2. Give Users 24/7 Access to Technology
Not everyone works or studies between 9 and 5.
One of the biggest drivers behind Smart Locker adoption is the ability to provide around-the-clock access to devices without requiring staff to be present.
Users can collect a fully charged laptop, Chromebook or tablet whenever they need it and return it when finished, making technology more accessible and increasing the utilisation of shared device pools.
3. Reduce Pressure on Service Desks
Many organisations initially invest in self-service lockers to reduce queues and repetitive requests handled by support teams.
Rather than issuing devices manually, staff can focus on higher-value activities while routine tasks such as device loans, returns and exchanges take place automatically.
For organisations operating large shared device programmes, this can free up significant time and resources.
4. Improve Device Availability
There's nothing more frustrating than borrowing a device only to discover it has a low battery.
Diplomat™ Pro automatically issues the best charged device available, helping ensure users always receive a device that's ready for immediate use.
With USB-C Power Delivery and a range of charging technologies available, organisations can support modern device fleets while maintaining high availability.
5. Gain Greater Visibility of Assets
Modern organisations need more than basic asset tracking.
Through ONARKEN®, administrators gain access to:
- Real-time device availability
- Asset usage data
- Loan histories
- Audit trails
- Custom reporting
- User activity information
This visibility helps organisations understand how assets are being used and make better-informed decisions about future investments.
6. Enhance Accountability With AI-Powered Verification
One of the latest innovations available within Diplomat™ Pro is AI-powered verification.
This optional feature helps organisations know exactly what's stored in each locker compartment at any given moment.
Benefits include:
- Verification that assets have been returned correctly
- Increased accountability for shared devices
- Reduced risk of chargers or accessories being left behind
- Improved confidence in self-service workflows
- Greater visibility of locker contents
For busy IT teams managing large numbers of assets, this additional layer of assurance can significantly reduce the time spent investigating missing or incorrectly returned equipment.
7. Support Modern Learning and Working Environments
Organisations are increasingly moving away from fixed IT suites and permanently assigned devices.
Self-service loan lockers support flexible working and learning by allowing users to access the technology they need, when they need it.
This creates opportunities to redesign spaces for collaboration, hot-desking, group learning and hybrid working while making more efficient use of technology budgets.
8. Scale As Demand Grows
Many organisations start with a single locker location before expanding their service.
As demand grows, additional towers and lockers can be added without major disruption, helping organisations grow their device loan programmes over time.
In fact, some of our largest customers began with a single deployment before expanding across multiple buildings and campuses.
Why Organisations Continue to Choose Diplomat™ Pro
Diplomat™ Pro combines secure storage, intelligent charging, self-service access and powerful software in a single solution.
With features such as:
- 24x7 self-service device loans
- USB-C Power Delivery
- AI-powered verification
- Real-time availability dashboards
- Remote device management
- Advanced reporting through ONARKEN®
- Multiple authentication methods
- Custom branding and locker configurations
it's helping organisations transform the way they manage and deploy shared technology.
The result isn't simply a more efficient loan process. It's a smarter way to provide access to technology while reducing administration, improving accountability and delivering a better experience for users.