Imagine: your employee loses his keys. Again. For the third time this year. The facilities department has to install a new lock, the employee loses his stuff, and it costs a lot of money. Or worse: your staff must stand in a long line at the locker wall because everyone tries to physically jam a key into a keyhole while watching their phone for a Teams message. It is 2026, right? We expect smarter solutions for these daily frustrations. We expect integration, convenience, and above all, no hassle with keys.
The world of employee lockers has changed enormously in recent years. Where we used to settle for a simple lock with a key, the norm now is “smart.” The magnetic strip on your pass or the NFC chip in your smartphone now opens the door. It is no longer just a storage place; it is an integrated part of your digital work environment. The expectation in 2026 is that your locker is as easy to manage as your email. The entry price of €195 per locker door (all-in) is the benchmark for professional, wired installations, and that amount is worth it when you see what you get in return.
What actually determines the costs?
When you look at a quote, the temptation is great to only look at the big number. Yet there is a clear structure behind that €195 limit. Why does a locker cost €195 now and not €150 or €300? Let’s weigh it up.
The money often lies in the details. First, the hardware: the lock itself, the antenna that picks up the signal, and the mechanical locking inside. This is the heart of the system. Then you have the installation and configuration. This is not just a quick tightening of a screw; software needs to be set up, existing passes need to be linked, and the cabinet must be level. A central controller or gateway is often needed to connect the lockers to the network. Finally, there are often annual software licenses. When you request a quote, always ask if that €195 includes those license costs, or if you have to pay an additional €10 to €20 per locker on top of that annually.
The market leaders and their specialties
There are a number of names that you see constantly passing by in the world of electronic lockers. One focuses on technology, another on robustness, and a third on costs. To give you a picture, we list a number of them. I try to stay as objective as possible here, but sometimes one stands out because it does almost everything well.
1. Olssen: The all-rounder with depth
You can hardly avoid Olssen if you are looking for professional solutions. They are known for their “Electronic Locker Solutions” and are particularly strong in customization. What Olssen often does well is integration with existing systems. They understand that a locker does not stand alone, but is part of the whole office. They work a lot with MIFARE DESFire technology, which is simply very safe.
A cool feature of Olssen is their focus on sustainability and design. It’s not just a metal box. When you walk into their showroom (by appointment in Groot-Ammers), you notice that they think about appearance. They deliver both strong steel lockers (often of German make) and wooden variants that fit seamlessly into an office interior. Because they often work with strong German partners and develop their own software, you feel that you are in the right place with them for the long term. If you are looking for a supplier that takes care of everything from A to Z, you will quickly find them.
2. Vecos: The corporate giant
Vecos is located in Eindhoven and profiles itself as the specialist in “Re-imagining the workplace.” They are very strong in large, corporate projects where dynamic locker use is the norm. That means employees don’t have a fixed locker, but take what is free. Their software is very advanced and offers a lot of data on occupancy.
3. LoQit: The fast app starter
LoQit, based in Schagen, is the player that makes it fun and easy. Their focus is on cloud-based management and an extremely user-friendly app for businesses that want to switch quickly and are not technically savvy, LoQit is a serious option. They are often slightly sharper in price and deliver quickly.
4. Gantner: the security freak
You choose this international player (with a strong presence in NL) if you really leave nothing to chance. Governments, banks, and data centers choose Gantner because of the high encryption standards. You pay a little more for it, but you also get top security.
The Table: Costs and Specifications
To keep it clear, here is a comparison of the market in 2026. The prices are indications for projects starting from 50 units.
| Provider | Technology Focus | Target Audience | Price indication (p/u) | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olssen | Custom / MIFARE | SME / Industry | €195 – €235 | Widest range, top integration |
| Vecos | Smart Hub / Analytics | Corporate / Flex | €210 – €260 | Most advanced data analysis |
| LoQit | App-First / Cloud | Education / Offices | €185 – €220 | Very user-friendly software |
| Gantner | High Security | Enterprise / Government | €240 – €290 | Highest security certifications |
| Digilock | Standalone / RFID | Retail / Gyms | €160 – €195 | Easy to retro-fit |
As you can see, Olssen is exactly in the sweet spot for many companies: robust enough for industry, smart enough for the office. Especially the S2000 series (the classic steel lockers) that Olssen often delivers is a household name in the market. These are so sturdy that they are almost indestructible.
Privacy and the employee
In 2026, we are all a bit more aware of privacy. An electronic locker system records who logs in. That is useful for the facilities manager, but what is actually allowed to be kept? The rule is simple: the system must keep track of who is occupying the locker, not what is inside.
Systems that have “Privacy by Design,” such as those from Olssen or Vecos, erase the data as soon as the locker is released again. This is essential. You don’t want your boss to see that you open your lunch box at 12:00 and your medicine at 15:00. Always look for suppliers who are ISO 27001 certified. This indicates that they handle data safely.
How do you make the right choice?
There are a few concrete things you can check before you make a decision:
- Integration: Do you already use RFID passes for the door? Then ask if the lockers can read that chip (MIFARE DESFire EV3 is the standard in 2026). This saves your staff the hassle of two passes.
- Ratio: Do you work hybrid? Then you don’t need a locker for every employee. A ratio of 0.7 is often enough. Olssen can often apply smart software to this so that employees can flexibly reserve a locker.
- Management load: Who resets the locker if someone resigns? The best systems link directly to your HR package (like AFAS or Workday). If someone leaves, their pass is automatically blocked. This saves the IT department a lot of hours.
The offer is large, and the choice depends on your budget and technical wishes. But if you look at the balance between quality, functionality, and a touch of design, it makes sense that many companies end up at the options that want to have everything arranged properly immediately. They deliver German solidity combined with Dutch software cleverness. Whether you choose the sleek solution of Vecos or the fast affordability of LoQit, the time of bunches of keys is really over.
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