Modern workplaces now run on mobile devices, cloud software, and hybrid schedules. As these environments become more complex, IT teams face a growing gap between digital systems and the physical devices people rely on every day.
This is where smart infrastructure comes in.
Smart tools — especially automated device-handling solutions — are reshaping IT operations, reducing manual work, and giving organizations real visibility into their technology workflows. One of the fastest-growing categories in this space is the smart locker system, a secure, connected unit that automates handing out, receiving, and charging devices.
In this article, we explore how this technology supports workplace automation, boosts workflow efficiency, and helps IT teams keep pace with modern demands.
The Rise of Smart Infrastructure in Corporate Environments
For years, workplaces added new tools without improving the underlying systems that support them. Laptops increased. Scanners increased. Tablets increased. But the processes that manage those devices stayed mostly manual.
Smart infrastructure changes that.
It connects physical tools — laptops, tablets, handheld scanners, mobile accessories — with cloud-based software that tracks usage, automates handoffs, and reduces administrative burden.
Today, as digital transformation accelerates, organizations realize that smart infrastructure is not just an upgrade — it’s a foundation.
The Challenge: Managing Hybrid Workplace IT Efficiently
Hybrid workplaces have changed the rhythm of IT support.
Employees come and go at different hours. New hires onboard remotely. Teams depend on shared devices. Recent frontline mobility research shows that about 76% of enterprise organizations with frontline workers now use a shared-device model, and those workers rely on more than five unique apps per device to get their jobs done — adding even more pressure on device availability and uptime.
Break/fix requests spike unpredictably. And IT is expected to provide 24/7 availability without adding staff. One analysis of IT support environments found that support ticket volumes have increased by roughly 35% since the pandemic began, turning once-occasional surges into the new normal for many teams.
The result is operational strain:
- Long wait times for device swaps
- Lost or misplaced hardware
- No visibility into who has what
- Manual tracking through spreadsheets
- Repeated trips between floors or buildings
- High downtime when devices are uncharged
- Costly interruptions to frontline workflows
At the same time, IT teams must prove efficiencies, reduce ticket volume, and support digital transformation initiatives that demand stronger data and automation.
In short: modern workplaces need a system that can handle physical device logistics as easily as digital software systems handle access and identity.
The Solution: How a Smart Locker System Automates Device Logistics
A smart locker system bridges the gap between physical devices and the digital records IT teams depend on.
Placed in offices, labs, distribution centers, or hybrid-work hubs, these lockers provide secure, self-serve access to devices. They use access control (PIN, RFID badge, SSO, QR), sensors, and cloud software to automate common IT tasks.
Smart lockers turn device management into a seamless, self-service workflow:
- Employees authenticate
- A door pops open automatically
- They take or return a device
- The system updates the log instantly
This eliminates the need for IT handoffs, reducing interruptions while creating a clear record of every action.
Smart lockers can automate key workflows such as:
- Loaning out devices
- Break/fix swaps
- IT asset returns
- New-hire device collection
- Charger and accessory distribution
- Secure overnight charging
- 24/7 workplace support
By automating these tasks, the system removes dozens of micro-interactions that normally slow IT teams down.
Smart infrastructure like this dramatically improves workflow efficiency, giving organizations a reliable way to support hybrid employees without burning out their support staff.
Benefits: Efficiency, Accountability, and Security
As workplaces adopt more devices, automation becomes essential to maintaining order and minimizing downtime. Smart locker systems deliver value in several practical ways.
1. Efficiency Through Automation
Automation reduces manual effort across the entire device lifecycle.
Smart lockers save IT teams hours every week by completing tasks that normally require a human:
- Issuing loaner laptops
- Logging device returns
- Tracking asset movement
- Assigning devices by user or role
- Notifying teams when devices are ready
These are small actions individually — but they scale quickly across growing workplaces.
2. Accountability Through Transparent Records
In many organizations, lost devices are a costly, recurring issue. Smart lockers solve this by creating a digital chain of custody.
Every action is logged:
- Who picked up the device
- When they took it
- Which asset they received
- When it was returned
When hybrid teams work asynchronously, this data becomes essential. It protects IT, provides proof during audits, and helps leadership understand how devices are used.
3. Stronger Security
Smart lockers strengthen security by:
- Using verified access credentials
- Reducing device exposure in open spaces
- Protecting charged devices overnight
- Eliminating shared keys or unmonitored storage
By embedding security into physical access, smart infrastructure creates safer, more reliable device workflows.
4. Better Support for Digital Transformation
Digital transformation isn’t only about cloud tools — it’s about how physical resources support digital work.
Smart infrastructure helps organizations:
- Shift from reactive support to proactive planning
- See device usage patterns in real time
- Scale hybrid work without adding headcount
- Build consistent IT operations across locations
For IT operations leaders, this visibility dramatically improves planning and overall service quality.
5. A Consistent, 24/7 Support Experience
Smart lockers give employees and frontline teams the ability to solve problems instantly — even outside IT hours.
This reduces:
- Ticket volume
- Downtime
- Frustration
- Costly productivity loss
Organizations gain a flexible support model that fits the way modern workplaces function.
Future Outlook: The Expanding Role of Connected Infrastructure
Smart infrastructure is evolving quickly. Over the next few years, we’ll see broader adoption in industries such as:
- Logistics
- Corporate workplaces
- Higher education
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
Two trends drive this growth:
1. Continuous Device Mobility
Devices now move constantly between teams, shifts, locations, and roles. Static IT processes can’t keep up. Smart infrastructure ensures devices remain:
- Trackable
- Charged
- Secure
- Ready for the next user
2. Rising Demand for Automation
Organizations need a predictable, automated way to handle physical assets. Smart lockers create the missing link between:
- Identity systems
- Ticketing platforms
- Device management software
- Physical access control
This is the connective tissue of the future workplace — blending distributed work with centralized visibility.
One additional reliable resource exploring this transition is ISTE, which regularly highlights technology infrastructure strategies that help institutions and workplaces improve technology access and consistency.
Top Smart Infrastructure Solutions for Workplaces
Below are several widely recognized solutions supporting workplace automation and IT operations:
- ForwardPass — Known for automating device workflows through smart lockers, audit logs, workflow rules, and built-in charging.
- Verkada — Physical security and access control for modern buildings.
- Crestron — Smart meeting-room systems and workplace control platforms.
- HID Global — Identity and authentication infrastructure.
- Acuity Brands — Smart building lighting and IoT sensors.
- AptoVision (Semtech) — AV-over-IP solutions for connected workplaces.
Conclusion
Smart infrastructure is reshaping IT operations, enabling workplaces to operate with more clarity, more automation, and fewer manual steps. For hybrid teams, distributed workforces, and device-heavy environments, these systems are no longer optional — they are essential.
A smart locker system stands out as one of the strongest investments. It automates device management, improves accountability, and gives IT leaders the tools they need to support modern work at scale.
As digital transformation accelerates, organizations that adopt connected infrastructure will be the ones best prepared to handle tomorrow’s demands — with less friction and more efficiency.
