Parcel lockers: why they are useful

Parcel locker delivery systems have been around for quite some time, but they have been widely used in recent years, especially during the pandemic, as they offer a safe, convenient, and contactless option for parcel pick-up. It is a well-known fact that package volume has increased drastically due to e-commerce growth and the rising trend of online shopping. It has created new challenges for postal services, delivery service providers, and any building that receives packages in terms of last-yard delivery.

What Is a Parcel Locker?

A parcel locker is a lockable storage box where packages can be left securely for collection by carriers, delivery companies, residents in apartment complexes, and customers at retail stores. It provides a simple, safe, and effective delivery solution. Multifamily parcel lockers, residential parcel lockers, and university lockers are very convenient and useful ways of storing packages and mail. However, smart parcel lockers are slightly different from physical lockers.

Smart lockers for packages are powered by management software and integrations that make them intelligent enough to meet modern business needs. They keep their contents secure and are easy to access. To open the locker door and retrieve a package, the recipient simply needs to enter the assigned code.

Who Uses Parcel Lockers?

Parcel lockers are widely used across multifamily apartments, universities, retail stores, coworking spaces, and corporate offices. Smart package lockers allow recipients to keep their packages in a safe space without worrying about their packages being stolen or mishandled.

Benefit of parcel lockers

Package security

Packages, when dropped in a parcel locker, are more secure. The possibility of a package being stolen or collected by the wrong recipient is completely eliminated by the electronic locking system. As the package is not lost, the liability issues for couriers, property managers, and office managers are also minimum.

24/7 Availability

Smart package lockers offer a one-stop pick-up and delivery solution to carriers, couriers, property managers, and recipients with 24/7 availability. You do not have to change your schedules or rush home to receive your packages. Similarly, couriers do not have to leave packages at the door unattended, as delivery is 100% guaranteed.

How Can PackageX Help Scale Parcel Locker Operations?

You can connect your package locker systems with PackageX Receive app or APIs for unified receiving management, universal label scanning, and visual notifications.

PackageX Receive app and Label OCR API extend the reach of your smart locker solution for usability, efficiency, and experience of receiving site staff and carriers.

You can offer PackageX Receive or build a custom app with our APIs to help your customers manage packages that don’t fit in lockers.

Label OCR also comes in handy when carriers and couriers don’t pick the correct recipient on the locker display screen or dump all packages in one place, and your customer’s site staff has to process them.

In addition, smart parcel locker providers can automate self-service pick-up with our parcel locker integrations. They can also notify the recipients about their packages with visual notifications by setting up templates for email, text, and WhatsApp messages.

How to plan a parcel locker network?

Businesses must consider several questions when planning a parcel locker network. For example, is there a compelling need to improve last-mile delivery efficiency, enhance the customer experience, or reduce delivery costs? Does the business clearly understand its target market for a parcel locker service? Can it estimate the ideal locker capacity? And does the business have the required technology and security to manage the network?

In addition, the company must initiate associated payment and billing mechanisms as well as evaluate how user-friendly and effective the user interface and customer experience should be.

Does the business have service-level agreements in place with relevant stakeholders, such as logistics partners, property managers, and end users? Can it comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, and standards? Does it have a comprehensive maintenance plan? And can it adequately train all stakeholders, such as customers, administrators, and property managers?

Can parcel lockers contribute to greener logistics?

Parcel locker systems are a positive alternative in terms of their low environmental impact. They are becoming essential to logistics carriers’ wider sustainability strategies as businesses and consumers seek greener delivery solutions.

Last-mile delivery has traditionally been one of the aspects of the parcel delivery process that consumes the most resources and has the greatest impact on the environment. With more cars, vans, and trucks on the road, carbon emissions rise. Traditional door-to-door deliveries require a vehicle to make multiple stops, often leading to inefficient routes and high fuel consumption.

By contrast, having parcel lockers in centralized locations enables carriers to make fewer trips to fewer destinations, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Providing convenient, secure smart lockers also means recipients do not have to be on hand to receive parcels, reducing the number of failed delivery attempts. This results in fewer trips, significantly lowering the carbon footprint associated with last-mile delivery.

In addition, the technology associated with smart parcel lockers enables carriers to track usage patterns and optimize energy consumption.

Parcel lockers even promote the use of eco-friendly packaging. Locker manufacturers often create limited-size compartments, discouraging excessive packaging materials and reducing waste.