The humble locker lock has evolved to give operators more insight and control over facilities than ever before. Lee Walker, Ojmar’s head of sales - UK & Ireland, explains.
There is a fine balance between managing security and access control with the efficient flow of people and their enjoyment of the amenities on offer. The issues around safety and security also extend to when users are inside. Protection of their belongings, safe and hygienic storage solutions and managed controlled access to specific areas and equipment is also an issue for sport and leisure operators.
Innovation in lockers and locking systems means that complete solutions can now be found and managed from the simple lock on a locker door. The advent of RFID, NFC, wireless and proximity operation all controlled by a cloud-based management system means that facility managers can not only view and control locker occupancy but also other statistics around capacity, users, length of visit and peak timings etc. The latest systems go even further with the ability to control wider services such as controlling access to specific areas within the site and even to specific equipment.
The recently launched OTS® PULSE from Ojmar, the European manufacturer of high performance electronic and mechanical locks, is a good example. Designed for quick and easy installation, without complex and costly hardwiring it does not require any expensive servers, just a simple standard internet connection managed through a PC, tablet or smartphone. It is simple to operate without keys or codes, while each user’s App makes it easy to reserve, open and lock their lockers directly from their own device via Bluetooth or using RFID bracelets and cards. The cloud-based management system allows administrators to monitor and manage users, locker usage and occupancy in its simplest form, but also offers a wealth of integrated opportunities all while providing instant reports in real-time.
RFID Technology has revolutionised spaces and one simple solution can provide invaluable information to help operators manage the movements of large groups of people, while features such as heat mapping can show space optimisation, highlight congestion points, machine usage and access control all the way down to automatic payments for other services. The ability for dynamic configurations and assignment of permissions offer superb access control across the wider site when linked to third-party software via SDK, be it to specific zones or individual machines.
These new cloud-based solutions can also enhance and mitigate security implications. Even the earliest wireless locks had the ability to remotely unlock lockers for cleaning and security checks, while newer versions offer real-time reporting to generate instant snapshots. All these combine to promote fluid traffic and monitoring traceability which combine to provide the best user experience.
At Center Parcs Europe, more than 30,000 locks have been updated with the latest OTS Advance solutions in a rolling programme designed to improve and enhance access across 27 sites in several countries. With full integration, this can now offer the centres unparalleled insight into their inner workings, managing pinch points and providing enhanced safety and security for guests and staff.
It's a brave new world out there, where a simple lock can be used to transform the overview of a location and become an integral part of managing and improving a site in its entirety.
