battery vs smart networked locks
Are networked lockers actually more expensive than battery-powered lockers?
The perception in the marketplace tends to lean towards, yes, networked locks are more expensive. They have to be, right?!
Wrong. In many cases, when you start to dig in, you will learn networked locks will actually be less expensive than battery-powered locks.
This may sounds like an excuse, but networked locks are difficult to provide a ‘standard’ cost per opening that most people may be accustomed to seeing or asking for. That is because they are heavily dependent on the configuration of the banks of lockers, the number of lockers, the functionality needed, and more.
With that said, let’s take a look at a few comparisons and discuss.
mechanical combination locks
One of the cheapest locks available.
ModoOne installed in an unassigned, stand-alone scenario without software can turn an application that might be looking at a mechanical-combo lock solution and provide so much more functionality and ease of use for a similar price point.
ModoOne can have software added later to provide more functionality, such as locker occupancy, locker status history log, alarm notifications, and more.
keypad touch battery locks
These are battery-powered lockers that require a pin code to access.
ModoOne and ModoTwo installations could be comparable in cost, without the hassle of managing and changing out batteries. These networked options also have the added functionality of usage reports, optimization, audit trails, ability to open all lockers at the touch of the button, schedule and audit cleaning and maintenance and more…
Optional: Ability to add Mobile (Phone) App and/or support for wearables.
wireless RFID battery lockers
These are battery-powered RFID locks.
ModoOne and ModoTwo would be less expensive in most cases, with ModoThree being an option also to be comparable depending on the layout, quantity, etc.
Advantages: No Batteries! Metra will handle all (99.99%) RFID cards. Mobile Apps available. Bluetooth access, handle multiple credentials, mixed-mode operations on one bank of lockers.
There are many variables when it comes to pricing (and options), but we want to assure you that networked locks and all the functionality they bring can be similar in price to lower-end, ‘dumb’ locks.
ability to upgrade and add functionality with Metra
With Metra you can start with one mode of operation and add functionality and/or interfaces as you learn and see the usage (data), get user feedback, etc…You can add the ability to include self-assigned, pre-assigned, rental lockers, touch screens, info terminals, etc. The data will let you know if you need to look at adding more lockers. .The system can grow and scale with you, as your needs change and morph. You can even add delivery lockers to a bank of Agile lockers.
Responsibility
Environmental and climate protection are among the most pressing global challenges of our time. Businesses today need to take these concerns into account in all aspects of business, including minimizing their own ecological footprint.
business application example
5,000 Lockers - global firm
Let’s look at some of the more popular and widely used battery powered locks on the market.
how many batteries is that?
That’s over 1,000 lbs (1,014 to be exact) of batteries that would need to be replaced and properly disposed of.
That’s literally half a TON of batteries!
How long would it take to actually replace all of those batteries?
Let’s break this down: Each lock has screws holding on cover plates to protect the batteries — so it is safe to assume 3 – 4 mins per lock to change the batteries.
At the low end, we are talking roughly 12,000 minutes, on the high side of our assumption, 16,000 minutes.
200 hours – 267 hours
of time alone to replace batteries
6 – 7 weeks of time straight
(40 hours a week of nothing but replacing batteries)
And what if you lose your master key(s) - or want to change the functionality of your lock (programming key)?
Well, that’s a whole different story, for another day…
