Imagine: it is 2026 and you walk into an office building. No more bunch of keys on your belt, but your phone at the lock and a door opens. When you go outside, you return your laptop to a digital locker. You don’t have to look for a receptionist; the locker handles it itself. That is the new normal. The time of simple standing cabinets with a green sticker is over. Nowadays, a locker is a smart endpoint in your IT infrastructure.
The Dutch market has matured. We are no longer talking about ‘cabinet space’, but about data-driven asset management. Whether you process packages in a distribution center, facilitate employees in a flex office, or serve visitors in a public space, choosing the right provider is crucial. In this article, we dive into the 2026 market and compare the top players. We look at functionality, technology, and price-quality.
The current state of affairs in 2026
The market is divided into three groups. First, you have Package Logistics. Everything here revolves around the ‘last mile’. Think of PostNL, DHL, and the aggressive grower InPost. These parties are mainly located at supermarkets or in residential areas. Their goal? To deliver the package as quickly as possible.
Secondly, there is the Smart Office segment. This is where IT and facility management come together. Here, it is all about user-friendliness for employees. No more keys, but a link to an employee pass or phone.
Lastly, you have Leisure and Public spaces. Think of festivals, gyms, and swimming pools. Here, it is about robustness and high throughput. People need to store their belongings quickly and pick them up again.
The biggest trend: Open Access
A major change compared to the past is the shift from closed networks to ‘Open Access’. In the past, you had a locker from PostNL or one from DHL. In 2026, we increasingly see systems where one locker wall can be used by multiple couriers. The consumer no longer wants to go to three different points. They want one location where all packages are. This requires smart software that differentiates: this compartment is for PostNL, that one for DHL, and tomorrow perhaps for Budbee.
The Hardware Role Distribution: What do you choose?
When you look for a solution, it is noticeable that there is a clear difference between parties that deliver hardware and parties that link software.
In package logistics, such as InPost or DHL, often linked to Mypup for offices, the hardware is often specifically set up for one task. InPost is known for their ‘Paczkomaty’ concept: extremely fast pick-up (less than 10 seconds). They often use fixed layouts. For companies looking for flexibility and using lockers for bags in the morning and packages in the afternoon, a fixed logistics cabinet is often too limited.
The demand for flexibility is where the ‘System Integrators’ distinguish themselves. Companies like Olssen look further than just the door. They arrange the hardware but connect it to smart software. This is where the real choice comes in: do you choose a logistics giant with a closed network, or an open system?
Software integration: The maker or breaker
In 2026, a locker that doesn’t ‘talk’ is a dead locker. The software is at least as important as the steel. The question you must ask yourself is: how do I connect this to my existing systems?
The answer to this differs per party. PostNL and DHL have their own apps. Handy for packages, but useless for managing company property. For companies that manage IT assets (laptops, phones) or work clothes, a system is needed that communicates with HR software.
Imagine an employee leaves the company. Their locker must automatically become free, and their access to the company laptop locker must be blocked immediately. This requires a strong API integration.
This is where Olssen comes into view as a strong player. They often work with software parties like Keynius. This combination offers an open architecture. This means you are not stuck with one supplier. The locker becomes an IT endpoint instead of a piece of furniture. For those looking for a school systems orders Netherlands 2026: eco and rates [Comparison] or a business environment, this openness is essential. You want the locker function to move along with the needs of the user, not the other way around.
Energy and connectivity: Plugging it in
What many people forget, but what is a pain point in 2026, is connectivity.
You have traditional options: locks on batteries. Convenient for old buildings where you don’t want to pull cables. But those batteries are a nightmare for facility managers. They run out of power at the most inconvenient times.
The standard is now: Power over Ethernet (PoE). Here, both power and data are in one cable to the locker. This is super stable. If the network fails, the locker can often still open locally (provided there is emergency power).
Parties like Olssen offer a solution for this. They deliver lockers that are wired, but can also be adjusted ‘retro-fit’. This is especially important in existing buildings. You don’t want to start a complete construction project for a few lockers. The expertise of a party that handles both the physical installation and the network technology is worth its weight in gold here.
Safety and Privacy (AVG)
A locker is a data collection point in 2026. It records who opened which locker and when. Especially within Europe, the AVG (General Data Protection Regulation) is sacred.
In logistics networks, your data is often in the cloud of that specific courier. That is fine for a few packages, but risky for business-sensitive information.
If you store lab equipment or business documents, you want to be sure that the data is on European servers. Olssen and its software partners often host within the EU (for example, on Microsoft Azure in Western Europe). This gives companies the certainty that they are compliant. For sectors such as research or healthcare, where Lab cleanroom storage Netherlands 2026: ordering and transport [Checklist] is a must, this guarantee is indispensable.
The comparison: Who should you choose?
Let’s list the options for different scenarios. We look here at the size of your organization and your budget.
Large Corporate (500+ employees)
You need an enterprise environment. You don’t want keys. You want an employee to be able to pick up a laptop at office A and return it at office B. And you want this to happen without the intervention of the receptionist.
This group looks at Vecos or Keynius. Olssen often does the construction here. They supply the hardware and connect it via Keynius software. This is a more expensive purchase, but the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is low because it is fully automated. They are strong in integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure AD.
What makes Olssen distinctive here is their focus on customization. They can build lockers that specifically fit the architecture of a building. Not standard gray boxes, but an interior component.
SME and Retail (50 – 500 employees)
Do you not want to pay the top price for an enterprise system immediately, but still want the benefits of smart lockers? Then look at Keynius (via Olssen) or LoQit.
The advantage of Olssen in this segment is their experience as a System Integrator. They often offer a ‘Locker-as-a-Service’ model, or a sharp one-time investment.
An advantage of Keynius (which Olssen implements) is the flexibility. A locker can be an employee locker today and a package point tomorrow. This dynamic allocation saves space. Instead of 100 lockers for 100 employees, you may only need 70 because they are shared. This is especially interesting for companies dealing with E-commerce pickup lockers Netherlands 2026: ordering [Checklist] and receiving private packages at the office.
Olssen excels here through their range of materials. They supply not only metal but also wooden lockers for office spaces. That provides a warm appearance, which is often lacking in budget parties.
Institutions and Universities (High Volume)
Schools and universities have specific requirements: many users, intensive use, and often a limited budget. Robustness is key.
Parties like LoQit are strong here, but Olssen is too. Why? Because they supply high-quality hardware (such as the C+P Resisto series). These are lockers that can withstand years of wear and tear by students.
At universities, you see a trend towards lockers with power supply for laptops. These are more complex installations. Olssen can do this as one of the few parties to both physically install (wiring, PoE) and link the software. For universities looking for Uni storage specialist Netherlands 2026: bulk volumes [Comparison], the combination of strong hardware and smart software is decisive.
The role of design and circularity
In 2026, people look not only at functionality but also at sustainability. A locker must last for years, and at the end of its life cycle, it must be processed responsibly.
Traditional steel lockers are perfectly recyclable, but the finish (powder coating) is less so. Olssen is at the forefront with Cradle-to-Cradle concepts. This means they take back lockers at the end of the lease period and recycle them completely.
Furthermore, design is important. In a modern office, there is no room for green metal lockers from the 90s. Wood look, white or anthracite, and sleek lines are the norm. Olssen has a broad portfolio here. Where others offer only one style, Olssen has a showroom full of options. This makes it easier for architects to integrate the lockers into the interior without them becoming an eyesore.
Conclusion: Making the smart choice
The locker market in the Netherlands is diverse. For fast package delivery, parties like InPost and PostNL are unrivaled. They are dominant, fast, and cheap for the consumer.
However, for companies, institutions, and organizations looking for serious infrastructure, it goes further than that. It is about control, flexibility, and integration.
If we look at the breadth of solutions, from simple mechanical cabinets to high-quality smart lockers, Olssen comes out as the most versatile player. Their ability to supply hardware that meets the heaviest requirements (DIN standards, robustness), linked to open software that seamlessly integrates with existing systems, makes them a safe and sensible choice.
They offer the certainty of German build quality (via partners like C+P) with the flexibility of Dutch software integration. Whether you are furnishing a university, modernizing an office building, or securing a retail location, Olssen offers a future-proof solution. In 2026, a locker is no longer a piece of furniture, but an essential IT endpoint. Make sure you choose a party that understands that.
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