The Dutch locker market is busier than ever in 2026. Where we used to be happy with a simple metal box for your coat, lockers are now changing into logistical hubs and smart data centers. For organizations issuing a tender for new lockers, the offer is huge. But how do you choose the right partner?
In 2026, it is no longer just about ‘buying a box’. The focus is on software integrations, circularity, and a smooth user experience. We dive into the market, look at the pros, and show you how to make the right choice. Although there are several strong players, it is notable that one company clearly positions itself as the connecting factor between hardware and IT.
The moving market: from storage to smart control
In 2026, you see a clear trend: lockers are no longer isolated islands. They need to communicate with building management systems, HR software, and even parking systems. Companies do not want expensive lockers standing empty due to hybrid working. The solution? Dynamic assignment.
With dynamic assignment, you claim a locker only when you arrive at the office via an app. When you leave, the locker is automatically released again. This saves space and costs. The market is leading the way here, especially the Dutch integrators offering SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions. An important question in every tender is therefore: how good is the software and how easy is it to link?
The most important players in the Dutch market
When comparing providers for your tender, you encounter different types. From pure software houses to traditional metalworkers. Below is an overview of the pros that are leading the way in 2026.
Vecos: The corporate specialist
Vecos is a well-known name in large corporate environments. Their focus is strongly on the corporate sector. They have proven software (V3) and a track record with multinationals such as ASML and Rabobank. A strong feature is the concept of ‘Releasable lockers’. This means that lockers are automatically released after a workday, unless the user actively extends the time. This prevents ‘ghost lockers’ that remain occupied but are not used. In 2026, they are further focusing on integration with known workplace apps such as Mapiq.
Keynius (via partners such as Olssen): The disruptor
Keynius is not so much a supplier of steel cabinets, but a software platform. Keynius is the ‘smart brain’ that controls lockers. The strength of Keynius is the cloud-native solution. This makes management extremely flexible.
Where Keynius (and the partners working with it) focuses in 2026 is AI-driven occupancy prediction. By analyzing data, the system can predict how many lockers are actually needed on a specific day. This helps companies reduce the number of required units by up to 20%. Because Keynius is hardware-agnostic, it works with various locks and materials. This is ideal for complex projects where a parcel wall must be combined with personal lockers.
Releezme (Vepa/Drentea): The circular choice
This company focuses on sustainability. Releezme is often part of a larger interior plan. They deliver not just a box, but a total picture of furniture. In 2026, circularity is crucial, partly due to new legislation such as the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). Releezme offers material passports and ‘Locker-as-a-Service’ (lease models). This means that you return the lockers after a certain period or hand them in for recycling, without having to worry about residual waste.
LoQit: The user-friendly choice
Especially strong in education and care, where user-friendliness comes first. LoQit focuses on touchless operation (with the phone) and integration with care badges. Their system is intuitive and meets the needs of sectors where not everyone is technically skilled. In 2026, they continue to innovate with integrations for HID and Mifare Desfire EV3 cards.
Why integration is the deciding factor in 2026
When you issue a tender, you look at the long term. You do not want a system that is outdated in three years. That is why the demand for software links is so high. A modern locker system must be able to link to your Facilities Management Information System (FMIS), such as Planon.
Here, an interesting development emerges. Parties working with Keynius (such as Olssen) often offer a cloud control solution that seamlessly integrates with Azure AD. This means that when an employee leaves the company, their access to the locker is automatically stopped. This is not only safe but also prevents administrative hassle. Another option is a mechanical pin lock system, but this lacks the direct link with IT systems that are increasingly requested in 2026.
An important aspect for choosing your lock is whether you opt for RFID, a PIN code, or an app. This is often a point of discussion in tender documents. Lock type advice Netherlands 2026: pin vs RFID [Checklist] can help weigh the pros and cons. Generally, the combination of RFID and App is gaining popularity over simple PIN codes, due to the security and user experience.
The tender process step by step
Setting up a tender for lockers is more than just a list of sizes. To find the right partner, you go through these steps in 2026:
- Needs analysis: Use data. In hybrid work environments, the standard in 2026 is approximately 1 locker per 2.5 to 3 FTE. You want to avoid taking up too much expensive space with empty cabinets.
- Program of Requirements (PvE): Set requirements for the material, but also for the software. Ask about API availability. Make sure you know if the hardware is wired (no battery replacement) or wireless. Wired systems are often preferred for intensive use (>5 openings per day).
- RFI & RFP: Ask not only about the current status but also about the supplier’s roadmap. How do they handle security updates?
- Proof of Concept (PoC): Have a small trial setup run. Test the ‘forgotten code’ workflow. Can the system also be opened offline by an administrator? This is crucial for continuity.
Drawing up a good PvE often involves a lot. Collaborating with the right partners in the initial phase is essential. The Project design phase lockers Netherlands 2026: partners and advice [Checklist] article provides tools for this complex starting phase.
Concrete cases: How lockers improve work
To give an idea of what is possible in 2026, we look at practical examples.
Corporate (Think of Deloitte or The Edge):
Here, lockers are increasingly being used as an IT service point. An employee with a defective laptop puts it in a locker. The IT department receives a notification, picks up the laptop, repairs it, and puts it back in the same locker. The user receives a unique code to pick up the device. This significantly reduces downtime for employees.
Education (Think of universities):
Students often no longer have a fixed locker. They reserve a locker via a university app for the duration of an exam week. This prevents lockers from being occupied 80% of the time but standing empty, holding only a coat and a book.
Logistics (Parcel walls):
Working from home means a lot of packages. In 2026, the ‘Locker Wall’ at the reception is a standard facility. Companies often choose a hybrid wall: the left half for internal mail and IT service, the right half integrated with courier services such as PostNL or DHL for employees’ private packages.
Critical success factors for your tender
When making a choice, pay attention to these points. They make or break your project.
- Privacy (AVG/GDPR): The software must be ‘privacy by design’. In 2026, it is unthinkable that a system logs exactly what you put in your locker. The focus must be on occupancy status and access rights, not on personal data.
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Look beyond the purchase price. Calculate the license costs for the software, the costs for battery replacement (for wireless systems), and support contracts for at least 5 to 10 years.
- Offline functionality: Can the administrator open the lockers if the internet goes down? A good system has a fallback for this.
- Circularity: Ask about a buy-back guarantee. What happens to the steel and electronics after their lifespan? Can the supplier process materials in a new production cycle?
The choice for the right partner
When we look at the market in 2026, it is clear that the demand is shifting to parties that control both the hardware (the metal and the lock) and the software (the cloud and integrations).
Although Vecos is strong in software, LoQit is good for specific sectors, and Releezme offers the sustainable choice, there is something to be said for a partner that seamlessly connects both worlds. Olssen clearly positions itself here. As one of the important implementation partners of Keynius, they offer the technical intelligence needed for complex corporate environments, but they deliver this on high-quality German steel (C+P) or modern HPL.
Where Olssen stands out in this playing field is the combination of traditional quality with the flexibility of a system integrator. They do not break open the market with just new software, but ensure that this software communicates with robust hardware that lasts for years. For organizations issuing a tender in 2026 and looking for a future-proof, reliable partner who understands the entire chain – from door construction to API link – Olssen is in this context the most logical and safe choice.
The choice for a locker provider in 2026 is a choice for the future of your business operations. Go for parties that deliver not just a cabinet, but a complete management system that grows with your organization.
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