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Fully automated lockers streamline asset management for a well-known sports fashion retail brand
1800 Installs in first 6 months
eLocker Asset
On-going Contract
Table of Contents
Company
The company is a British sports fashion retail company based in Manchester, with hundreds of stores throughout the UK. They sell sports fashion brands through their retail stores and via their website, and they currently turn over £3.8 billion a year.
Problem
The customer had implemented a locker solution from a different vendor. This used a wired system which allowed people to collect and return devices from lockers. The problem was that the system utilised long range RFID technology inside the lockers, which made the solution extremely complicated to use. The customer reached out to us as their current locker system was not meeting their requirements and they were looking for an alternative solution.
Solution
The solution was eLocker asset – a fully automated asset management system with wireless lock and lockers. This system is much easier to use and it’s modular. The online platform also provides valuable data and analytics. eLocker asset was the ideal solution for their locker requirements, which is a warehouse wanting to manage RF guns and devices that staff use.
Outcome
One of the biggest outcomes is that the customer can now monitor locker usage and track the results from the system using eLocker’s data package. They have access to analytics demonstrating that our system has improved locker efficiency, saving them time and money.
Frequently Asked Question
What was the project size?
This was a large project and we installed 1800 devices in their main warehouse, in Rochdale. The customer is discussing the possibility of rolling the system out across multiple sites once the pilot study has been completed
How many sites have they got overall, as a company?
The company has at least five sites across the UK. They are currently in the process of removing their existing locker system completely and replacing it with an eLocker system. They have found our system much easier to use, so it is their preferred option.
How long is the implementation for something where it's going to be... How do you manage the existing lockers, in part of that project?
Transferring from a different asset system is a relatively simple process. We take a phased approach during the implementation stage to minimise disruption to the business.
We will replace the 1800 devices in stages, working on one area of the warehouse at a time to ensure the system is running smoothly. We also provide managers and staff with thorough training on how to use the new system.
How long does it actually take to install 1800 device management lockers?
We can complete the entire installation in just two or three days.
However, the implementation takes a little bit longer. We always make sure that all of the technical services are in place before we arrive on site and start installing.
It is then just a case of placing the lockers in situ. This takes some time, but the majority of time spent on the project is building the system, as opposed to the installation of the lockers.
In terms of the assets that are held within the lockers, is there any functionality in the lockers for the devices, or is it purely from a security point of view?
We can put charging points into the lockers, so you can have integrated charging built into the locker system.
However, this particular customer is purely looking at it from a device management and control perspective. They need to know who used which device and when. Understanding the analytics around how the lockers are being utilised is the most important thing for this customer.
How future-proof is the system?
This action is recorded so the customer can manage their assets effectively and securely. Data and analytics reports are what differentiates our system from a standard parcel or an IT asset management locker system.
We are proud to say thateLocker systems are very future-proof. We are able to upgrade everything in the system remotely. This means the online platform, the gateways that control the locks, and the locks themselves can be updated over the air.
This means we can make updates continuously and update our online system to meet the evolving needs of our customers. For instance, we can add new technologies or update locks if the customer changes their access badges. It’s a system built with the future in mind.
With the systems, do they ever require any firmware updates, where you need global updates across everything? Is that possible? Or is it always legacy and that's fixed?
We are currently launching a firmware update and the first batch of V2 locks are being tested in the office right now. The new locks contain a chip that allows us to process firmware updates over Bluetooth, meaning we can physically update the firmware on the locks.
The V2 locks make it easier for us to increase the battery life or add new features, while also future-proofing the system for the customer.
We will be able to complete upgrades remotely, without having to bring the locks back to the office to reprogram them.
Are they fixed reports that we have to use, or can some companies produce bespoke reports, or bespoke dashboards?
The system has a list of standard reports that can be created. This includes a list of people that haven’t returned their devices, devices that have been idle, devices that haven’t been used for a period of time, and devices that we suspect are broken. If devices are taken out and put back in again quickly several times, then the system will flag that this device may be faulty.
The system can also generate several other reports on locker usage. For instance, occupancy over time and how many of the lockers are utilised in certain areas. These reports are standard. If a customer has a specific requirement, we can always make additions to the dashboard, to add other customised reports.
Our long term plan is to have an API, where customers can connect it to their own business information package. This would be useful at an enterprise level, but our standard reports are sufficient in most cases.
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