Better manage your packages with smart parcel lockers

The rise of eCommerce has driven a rise in parcels and deliveries. Online shopping will only continue to grow, with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) estimates of 14.6% until 2028.. EMarketer estimates that Canadian online spending will increase from $65 billion in 2019 to almost $108 billion by 2023. That means the deliveries of those packages are here to stay.

When it comes to condos and rental apartments, the rise of parcel delivery has other unintended consequences. Increasingly fast delivery times mean packages may arrive at any moment, seven days a week! This proves a challenge for buildings without a full-time concierge. Thankfully, smart parcel lockers offer an ideal solution for everything from accepting deliveries to preventing theft.

Package delivery in condos and apartments can and must become smarter.

Typical delivery systems aren’t working. Packages arrive at the concierge desk, whereupon the concierge team must sort through a plethora of boxes and store them away in a crowded package room or behind their desk or simply on a table in the lobby. Residents are hunted down via phone calls or emails and begged to pick up their packages in a desperate attempt to minimize the bulk.

In these situations, parcels can easily be lost or stolen. What happens when no one is there to accept a delivery? Packages might be left unattended and vulnerable to theft. Staff may have trouble keeping track of the endless deliveries, misplacing a few along the way.

The strain on condos and apartments is not going anywhere amidst the constant flow of online shopping orders and food deliveries. Our buildings need to evolve with the demands of the community; it’s time to get smart or get left behind.

Many buildings have developed their own unique solutions to the parcel problem. Some have opted to take over different closets throughout the building for additional storage. Though this may mean secure packages, it also opens opportunities for confusion.

It can be difficult to keep track of which parcels are where, and finding parcels for residents may take longer, leaving the front desk unattended for periods of time. What’s more, staff costs for this level of service could result in higher condo fees or rental fees for residents.

Although there are some old fashion locker options, like the Canada Post Parcel Lockers, they come with their own fair share of problems. In this case, lockers may only accept deliveries from Canada Post. These lockers rely on residents checking their mail and retrieving their packages within 5 days before they’re returned.

Smart parcel lockers are a safe and secure way to accept and store parcels. They’re monitored by security cameras, so you can be sure that your package is being kept safe. The lockers can be securely accessed using a PIN code, QR code, or app, making it easy for residents to collect packages.

Depending on the locker location, parcel delivery people can enter with ease and make their deliveries without having to worry about a concierge. Smart parcel lockers make it easy for you as well: you’ll know exactly where your parcel is at all times, so there’s no chance of missing out on any important deliveries!

SmartONE has partnered with Snaile and Lockourier to provide a smarter parcel delivery system, tailored to the needs of community living.

Snaile’s smart parcel lockers are approved by all major Canadian carriers, electrically certified under Canadian regulations, and compliant with national Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) laws to ensure data security.

Lockourier’s smart parcel lockers is a Toronto-based company that configures technology designed by Luxor One in Canada. The lockers offer a lifetime warranty and is backed by ASSA ABLOY

The locker is installed in your smart community, providing a single location for packages to arrive and remain securely stored. As soon as the parcel is secured in the locker, the respective resident is automatically notified on their SmartONE app, and given a unique temporary code to access the locker unit which contains their package.

The logistics of the solution are customizable so the developer can meet the needs of their specific community.

• Choose how many compartments are needed, as well as the sizes and types (refrigerated, for example). The provider can help you design the right system for your building size and demographics.
• Send automatic reminders after a designated period following the delivery, or before returning the package to the carrier company.
• Buildings can set their own policies around the locker’s use; for example, residents who fail to pick up their package in time may allow Concierge to return the package to sender or be charged a fee for the storage of their package, providing an incentive to minimize the load of unclaimed packages.

It’s important to choose the right location for your parcel locker within the building. You may or may not want it accessible to everyone. You may want couriers to have access or place in a location that doesn’t grant the delivery person access to the building without a proper escort. This will help secure the building and prevent theft from occurring when you’re not around and allow you peace of mind knowing that your packages are safe from prying eyes.

The most important thing is to choose a solution that works for your building and its community.

Aside from the added security and ease of use, smart parcel lockers can also help you save money. These self-monitored lockers can minimize the demands of your concierge or security. This means buildings without a full-time concierge can still benefit from the same attention to their packages

Instead of staff wasting time on parcel delivery management, they can spend time on other critical issues. In some cases, staff may not be required as often, or a reduced staff may still be able to operate the building.

Overall, investing in smart parcel management benefits builders, residents, and staff alike.

Snaile’s and Lockourier’s smart parcel locker solutions, powered by the SmartONE backbone, provides the tools to accommodate the evolving challenges of package delivery. Residents are doing more online shopping, and they’re demanding solutions that allow them to receive their parcels quickly, easily, and securely.

Traditional solutions aren’t doing the job, leading to theft, misplaced packages, and increased staff costs. Smart parcel lockers keep packages secure while making life easier for residents and staff alike.

Inspired by the words of Confucius, to put your community in order, you must first put your parcel room in order. Get started today by learning more about the SmartONE solution. Book a demo to see what we can do for your community.