Berkshire’s ByBox rolls out world-first battery-powered RFID lockers

Technology and supply chain management company ByBox has introduced the world’s battery-powered locker technology.

The Slough company says its radio frequency identification (RFID) lockers will help improve product tracking accuracy and reduce stock loss by minimising the risk of human error.

ByBox currently has more than 45,000 smart lockers across more than 1,500 sites throughout the UK, which enable businesses to securely collect and return equipment and parts from places of maximum convenience near their points of service.

The new lockers use radio frequency identification to scan products in and out, and internet of things (IoT) networks to update the locker contents to the ByBox Cloud, meaning that users no longer have to manually scan items at collection or drop off.

George Wiltshire, director of product management at ByBox, said: “RFID lockers are an incredible innovation for ByBox, which prides itself on leading the development and implementation of new technology.

“When picking up or dropping off parts, users no longer need to manually scan items in or out of lockers or record them.

“The lockers will automatically scan all the products in the locker after the locker is closed, offering the ultimate combination of convenience and stock integrity.”

John Thirkettle, secure locker solutions manager, added: “The lockers are a real gamechanger for product tracking.

“With traditional smart lockers, if a user makes an error when scanning parts, this can result in the loss of tracking information, but RFID lockers completely eliminate this risk by automating the process.

“Customers can monitor and control their inventory levels remotely, and by having the right part at the right place and time, customers can avoid inventory loss, reduce the costs of restocking and enhance their efficiency and service quality.”

ByBox is rolling out the RFID lockers on a customer-by-customer basis in response to demand.

The first lockers have been installed at a hospital site in Leeds and will be utilised by one of the company’s healthcare customers.

Other ByBox customers have placed orders across Europe and the United States.

Operating in 31 countries, ByBox delivers 30 million items per year, supporting vital infrastructure including hospitals, telecoms, utilities and data centres.

Alongside its head office in Slough, the company has distribution centres in Bristol, Coventry, Doncaster, Glasgow, Huntingdon, London, Milton Keynes, Solihull and Warrington.