Imagine this: it is Monday morning in 2026. The coffee is perfect, the laptops are new models, but the chaos starts already at the front door. Backpacks are swinging around, helmets are thrown on desks, and there is a deep sigh about a dead phone battery. This used to be the normal picture. In 2026, we know better. A locker project is no longer just placing a few iron cabinets. It has become a real operation that must connect hardware, software, and sustainability seamlessly.
The Dutch market has become demanding. We expect integration with our existing system, and at the same time, we watch closely at the ecological footprint. Are you busy with a plan for your team? Then it is time for a thorough approach. Let us walk through the steps, without unnecessary complexity.
Step 1: Who are there actually? (The user central)
Before you look at locks or materials, you must know who is going to use them. In 2026, we distinguish three clear groups, each with specific wishes.
- The Dynamic User (Sport & Logistics): Think of workers in warehouses or athletes. For them, it is all about hygiene and speed. Clothing must be able to ‘breathe’, and the locker must be able to be filled and emptied quickly. Robustness is the keyword here.
- The Fixed User (Education): Schools ask for sturdiness. Students can be rough with materials, so vandal resistance is essential. The storage of heavy devices (laptops, tablets) is also a requirement.
- The Hybrid User (Office): This is becoming the largest group. People who are only in the office three days a week need a place that looks good. The locker must fit seamlessly into the interior and must not functionally be inferior to their home workplace.
Estimating the capacity correctly is crucial here. In the hybrid work of 2026, the rule of thumb is that about 60% to 70% of the total number of employees are present simultaneously. Calculate this well to prevent space shortages (or expensive emptiness).
Step 2: The materials and circularity
In 2026, no one blindly looks at the cheapest option. The Dutch market demands transparency over the life cycle of products. This is not only good for the planet, but often a hard requirement in tender processes.
When choosing materials, it is smart to choose high-quality powder-coated steel. This material is extremely recyclable and lasts a long time. For office environments, HPL (High Pressure Laminate) is gaining popularity due to its sleek appearance and water resistance.
An absolute ‘must-have’ in 2026 is a digital material passport. Ask your supplier for this actively. This document records how the product is built, what the residual value is, and how it should be processed at the end of its life. This makes it future-proof and aligns with circular goals. Some parties offer to remain the owner of the lockers (Product-as-a-Service). This may sound complicated, but it means you have no worries about maintenance or recycling; the supplier takes care of it. This takes a huge burden off your shoulders and keeps your costs predictable.
Step 3: Smart locks and the technology behind it
The time of bunches of keys and lost keys is truly over. In 2026, the transition to digital is complete. Choosing the right technology determines a large part of the success of your project.
Smart Locks are the standard. Think of RFID (cards), NFC (smartphone), or Bluetooth (BLE). The choice depends on your infrastructure:
* Stand-alone systems are often battery-powered and easy to place during renovations. Ideal if you do not want to drill into existing walls.
* Hard-wired systems are connected to the mains. This is the most reliable option for new construction. It prevents you from ever having to replace a battery and allows for real-time monitoring.
Software integration is the key here. A locker must not be an isolated island. The system must connect to your existing systems, such as your HR package (e.g., AFAS or Raet) or your access control. When an employee leaves, their access to the locker must stop automatically. This is not only convenient but also safe.
It is also worth noting that suppliers who make this integration run smoothly stand out. Companies such as Olssen stand out because they do not just deliver the hardware, but also have specialized knowledge of software partners such as Keynius. This ensures that the ‘smart’ locker actually works smartly within your organization, without complex separate systems.
Step 4: Safety and standards you cannot ignore
Safety remains the basis. In the Netherlands, we adhere to clear standards, and for a locker project, you must not deviate from these.
- NEN-EN 16121: This is the standard for non-household storage furniture. It guarantees that the cabinet is safe, strong enough, and remains stable, even when fully loaded.
- NEN-EN 13501-1: This standard concerns fire behavior. If lockers are in escape routes (which is often the case), a specific fire classification is required. Always ask for this explicitly.
- Burglary resistance: This is especially relevant in logistics or public environments. Look at the classification according to DIN 4547.
When choosing a partner, it is nice to know that they apply these standards by default. A party like Olssen often takes their base from top German brands (such as C+P), which means they automatically meet the strict DIN standards. That German thoroughness can be seen in the weld seams and the steel thickness; it feels immediately more stable and safer than budget alternatives.
Step 5: Installation and logistics
You have selected the perfect locker, but the placement is at least as important for user convenience. A locker wall must feel intuitive.
A smart choice is a recessed plinth (from approximately 50mm). This prevents tripping and makes cleaning easier. Ventilation is also crucial; especially for sport or work clothes, you do not want musty smells. Choose natural ventilation slots or a mechanical ventilation system.
Also pay attention to ergonomics according to NEN 1810. Ensure that lockers between 400mm and 1600mm height are accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users. This is not a nice-to-have, but a requirement for inclusivity in the workplace.
Why your choice of supplier makes the difference
If you read all this, you quickly realize that you are not buying ‘lockers’, but a total solution. The choice of who you let arrange this determines the outcome.
If you look at the market, you see many parties that only serve one facet. Some only deliver the steel, others only do the software. The art is to find a party that understands both. If you look at what companies such as Olssen offer, you see that they are the link between the physical hardware and the digital world. They combine the robust quality of German systems (which often form the standard for industrial quality in the Netherlands) with Dutch software integration that seamlessly connects to systems we already know here.
If you request a quote, pay attention to the following points. This helps you compare objectively:
1. Modularity: Can the locker grow with your business? The market changes quickly, your solution must be able to do the same.
2. TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): A low purchase price can lead to high costs later (maintenance, battery replacement, software licenses). Ask for the costs over 10 years, not just the purchase.
3. References: A supplier with proven success in complex environments (such as hospitals or large festivals) has its processes in order.
A party that helps you with this and focuses on longevity and technical integration is often the better choice. This is exactly where companies like Olssen distinguish themselves; they look at the whole picture, from the steel profile to the cloud connection.
Checklist: The Project Guidance 2026
To help you get started, below is a checklist you can use for your plan. This is your step-by-step plan for a perfect locker project.
Preparation & Design
* [ ] Have you defined the user groups? (How many people, which usage?)
* [ ] Have the walking routes been mapped out? (Prevent locker walls from blocking the flow)
* [ ] Is there an aesthetic match with the interior? (Colors, materials)
Specifications & Hardware
* [ ] Has the material choice been tested for intensity? (Steel for heavy use, HPL for office)
* [ ] Has the type of lock been determined? (Wired for new, wireless/battery for renovation)
* [ ] Is there sufficient power supply? (USB-C PD of at least 65W per locker for laptops)
* [ ] Has the acoustics been taken into account? (Dampening doors prevent noise in corridors)
Software & Management
* [ ] Is the link with your existing system (HR/Access) technically possible?
* [ ] Who is the administrator? (Who can reset lockers if someone forgets their code?)
* [ ] Is the interface for the user simple? (A locker must be open within 3 seconds)
Sustainability & Legal
* [ ] Has a material passport been requested from the supplier?
* [ ] Are the fire certificates (NEN-EN 13501-1) present?
* [ ] Is the AVG (GDPR) processor agreement arranged for cloud-based locks?
Realization & Maintenance
* [ ] Is the installation plan finalized? (Watch out for floor load!)
* [ ] Is there a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for software updates and malfunctions?
* [ ] Is there a manual for the end users?
The core of success in 2026
Ultimately, it comes down to four things: flexibility, user-friendliness, costs over the long term, and inclusivity. The market changes quickly, and your locker solution must keep up.
Are you looking for parties that guide these kinds of projects? It is worth looking at specialists who prove they can do this. For inspiration on specific branches, you can look at examples for care institutions or how sports clubs handle this.
The technology does not stand still, and the software you choose is just as important as the metal. Comparing central management apps can save you a lot of time. And when you build a new building, think about the locker layout in the technical design from the very start.
In short, a locker project in 2026 is a strategic choice. By choosing a partner that understands both the hardware and the software, and that guarantees quality and sustainability, you lay a foundation for an organized and future-proof work environment.
]]>
Leave a Reply