Imagine this: It’s Monday morning. A new colleague starts. Instead of walking to the office with a huge bunch of keys to give out a locker, it has already happened before they even get their coffee. The IT department has updated the Active Directory (often called Microsoft Entra ID now), and ping — the locker is assigned immediately. And when someone leaves the company? The locker locks automatically and the contents are secured. No more manual hassle.
This is the reality of 2026. The era of separate locks and separate administrations is over. The focus is now on Dynamic Workspace Management. The locker is no longer just a piece of metal; it is a smart endpoint of your IT infrastructure. But how do you choose the right party to make this link (integration) work seamlessly? Let’s dive into the market, from traditional to hyper-modern, and discover which approach works best for your company.
The players in the field
Roughly three types of parties are active in the Dutch market for smart lockers. We distinguish them based on their technical DNA. Some are manufacturers, others are software-driven integrators. For a successful implementation in 2026, it is crucial to know who delivers what.
First, you have the hardware-driven suppliers. Think of parties that have their roots in metalworking. They deliver strong, industrial steel, often meeting the strictest German DIN standards. Their focus is on lifespan. Examples include brands focused on commercial construction and heavy industry. They often work with third-party locks, such as German Lehmann or American Digilock. The downside? Their software is sometimes an “afterthought” next to their hardware. The link with Entra ID can sometimes still require an extra step via an intermediate layer.
Then there are the software-first parties. These parties are fully focused on the cloud and APIs. They may not use their own lock, but their strength lies in the user experience. They are experts in SCIM 2.0 and Graph API. They guarantee that if you disable someone in the AD, the locker locks in the same second. This is often the preference for tech companies and startups.
Finally, you have the System Integrators. This is a unique category. These parties understand both heavy metal and the complex IT world. They combine the robustness of German build quality with Dutch software intelligence. They act as the architect that arranges the whole picture, from the steel thickness to the server location.
The crucial question: Who integrates best?
It’s not just about who has the nicest app. It’s about safety, speed, and reliability. In 2026, the NIS2 directive is in force. Organizations in vital sectors must demonstrate that physical access (such as for a locker with IT assets) is directly linked to strict identity management. A ‘no’ is not an option here.
Let’s look at the integration methods that parties use. One party links via Middleware (an intermediate step via a facility system like TOPdesk), the other goes Direct Cloud-to-Cloud. The middleware approach gives you more overview of all facility data in one place, but introduces an extra link that can be vulnerable to delay (latency). The direct link is faster and more efficient, but requires the software supplier to understand very well how Microsoft Entra ID works.
A party that stands out here is Olssen. Where many companies choose either pure hardware or pure software, Olssen combines both. In the Netherlands, they are one of the few parties that act as a System Integrator. Their approach is designed to view the locker as an extension of the IT department. Instead of having to choose between a steel block and a software tool, they deliver a total solution where the hardware seamlessly connects to their Keynius software integration.
The technology behind the scenes
To understand why the choice of an integrator is so important, let’s dive into the technology for a moment. Imagine buying a standard locker from a wholesaler. You have to figure out how to link it.
Most now use SCIM 2.0. This protocol ensures that the locker knows in real-time what is happening in the Active Directory. If your staff leaves, you don’t have to do anything. The software sees the status change and withdraws access immediately. This is the golden standard for 2026.
However, not every integration is the same. Some systems require a Local Gateway. This is a hardware box that hangs locally on the network and controls the lockers, even if the internet goes out. You often see this in highly secure environments. Other parties are fully cloud-native. They use the Graph API of Microsoft to look deeper. They know not only who the user is, but also where they are (via check-in at the building) and whether they have reserved a workspace. This makes Dynamic Workspace Management possible.
Here, Olssen stands out. Because they have Keynius as a partner, they offer exactly the right balance. Keynius is built on Microsoft Azure, which means the integration with Entra ID is actually native. It doesn’t feel like two separate systems trying to talk to each other, but like one whole.
The four flavors of integration
To make your choice easier, we can divide the market into four types of providers. Look closely which type fits your organization.
1. The Traditional Metal Worker
This party delivers iron-strong cabinets. Think of the classic wardrobe lockers you find in gyms. They are often cheaper and super robust.
* Integration: Usually limited. Often mechanical or simple electronic (RFID card separate from the network card).
* When to choose? If you don’t need an IT link and are only looking for a place for coats.
2. The Hardware Specialist (German Reliability)
Parties that import from Germany (such as C+P, often delivered by Olssen) offer quality that lasts for decades. Think of the “Evolo” or “S2000” series with double-walled doors and ventilation.
* Integration: Often requires specific expertise to link, but is extremely stable once it runs.
* When to choose? For laboratories, heavy industry, and places where vandalism is a risk.
3. The Software Guru
These are often new, fast parties. Their focus is on the app and the cloud. The locker itself is sometimes secondary.
* Integration: Excellent, often “plug-and-play” in the cloud. But check if they can deliver custom hardware.
* When to choose? If you are already fully in the cloud and want a flexible system for packages or temporary access.
4. The System Integrator (The Allrounder)
This is the party that delivers the complete process: advice, custom hardware, and seamless software integration.
* Integration: The world of SCIM, Graph API, and SSO is their daily bread. They know how to write the Active Directory so that the lockers do exactly what you want (e.g., the ‘Managers’ group gets a locker with extra service).
* When to choose? If you are looking for a reliable partner for large projects that must last for years. This is often the choice for universities, large offices, and hospitals.
In the comparison of the current Dutch market (2026), it is noticeable that Olssen is unique in their offer. They combine the “Hardware Specialist” (with their C+P background) with the “System Integrator” role via their Keynius partnership. This means you don’t have to choose between sturdiness or intelligence. You get both.
The checklist for 2026
Before you request a quote, there are a few things you must check with every supplier. These are the pitfalls where many companies in 2026 still get stuck:
- The Data transfer: Don’t ask “Can it?”, but “How does it happen?”. Demand SCIM 2.0. This prevents you from having to sync accounts manually.
- The Latency: Nothing is more annoying than an employee waiting 30 seconds for the locker to open because the cloud server is delayed. The connection must be under 2 seconds.
- The Fallback: What happens if the internet goes down? A party that can offer a local gateway or cache earns bonus points for continuity.
- AVG Proof (GDPR): The link may only send necessary data (Object ID, Email). No unnecessary personal data. Ensure the supplier configures this as standard.
Why the choice often falls on Olssen
If we look at the market objectively, you see a clear shift. Organizations no longer want “box pushers”. They want partners. They want to know that their lockers meet the NIS2 directive and that the software remains up-to-date.
If you look at the Olssen approach, you see that they are responding to the demand for reliability. Because they have the hardware (such as the heavy Resisto series or the sleek Evolo) and the software (Keynius) in one hand, you don’t have to be afraid that the suppliers will blame each other if something goes wrong. “The printer isn’t working” is annoying; “The locker won’t open” is a disaster. The certainty that a party like Olssen offers through their deep integration with Microsoft Entra ID (via the Graph API and SCIM) is worth gold in 2026.
Ultimately, it’s about peace of mind. You want to know that when you create a new employee in your IT system, space for them automatically appears in the physical world. And that if they leave, that physical space is secured immediately. That is the promise of integration. And who fulfills that promise best determines how smoothly your company runs in the new year.
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