How Smart Lockers Help Campuses Save
Campuses are continuously looking for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining a seamless student experience. One of the biggest challenges they face is managing IT resources effectively. With students and staff relying on laptops, tablets, and other devices, institutions often invest in more equipment than necessary to meet demand.
However, smart lockers are transforming the way campuses manage their IT assets. By automating the device loaning process and enabling device-sharing, smart lockers help campuses reduce the total number of devices needed, cut costs, and improve operational efficiency.
How Device Sharing Reduces the Need for More Equipment
Traditionally, campuses needed to purchase large numbers of laptops and tablets to ensure availability for all students. However, many of these devices sit unused for long periods, resulting in unnecessary costs and wasted resources.
LapSafe® Smart Lockers enable a self-service loaning system, allowing students to borrow fully charged devices when needed and return them when finished. This optimises device usage by ensuring that a smaller pool of shared devices serves a larger group of students.
- Fewer devices required: Instead of every student needing their own laptop, a shared device pool meets demand efficiently.
- Better resource allocation: Campuses can invest in higher-quality devices rather than purchasing excessive numbers.
- Lower maintenance costs: Fewer devices mean less wear and tear, reducing repair and replacement expenses.
By leveraging smart lockers, campuses can reduce IT expenditure without compromising access to essential technology.
Automating Device Loaning for Maximum Efficiency
Managing a large fleet of devices can be a challenge for IT teams. Traditional lending models require manual check-outs, administrative oversight, and frequent tracking of lost or unreturned devices. This leads to inefficiencies, increased labour costs, and device losses.
LapSafe® Smart Lockers fully automate the loaning process, allowing students to:
- Borrow a device 24/7 without staff assistance
- Access devices securely using student ID or login credentials
- Ensure devices are returned, charged, and ready for the next user
By integrating with campus systems, IT teams can track every device in real-time, ensuring accountability and reducing loss or theft. Smart lockers eliminate the need for dedicated loan staff, freeing up IT resources for more critical tasks.
Smart Lockers and Data-Driven Decision-Making
A truly smart campus relies on data-driven insights to optimise operations. LapSafe® Smart Lockers provide valuable usage data, helping campuses understand:
- Device demand patterns – Identify peak usage times and adjust the number of available devices accordingly.
- Student engagement trends – Gain insights into how and when students access campus resources.
- IT resource planning – Use real-time data to assess the need for new devices or redistribute existing ones.
This data helps campuses make informed decisions, reducing unnecessary purchases and ensuring devices are used efficiently.
Join the Smart Campus Evolution
Leading campuses, including Birmingham City University, the University of Nottingham, and the University of Glasgow, are embracing smart lockers to optimise their IT resources and enhance the student experience.
By investing in LapSafe® Smart Lockers, your campus can reduce the number of devices required, lower costs, and improve efficiency—all while delivering a smarter, more sustainable learning environment.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to learn more or request a demo!