What challenge did the global FMCG company need to solve?

The organisation needed a more consistent and efficient way to distribute, replace, return and manage IT equipment across multiple international workplaces. Traditional service-desk processes depended on staff availability, created delays and were difficult to standardise across countries and time zones.

How large was the smart locker deployment?

The programme included 27 smart locker walls with 874 individual locker doors across 15 sites in nine countries.

What are the IT asset lockers used for?

The smart lockers support emergency laptop replacements, collection of configured devices, returns of damaged or end-of-life equipment, distribution of IT accessories, parcel management, day-use employee storage and contractor or visitor access.

How do IT asset lockers improve emergency laptop replacement?

A replacement device can be prepared and deposited in a secure locker for collection at an agreed time. The employee receives a digital access credential and can collect the device without waiting for an IT technician or attending a staffed service desk.

How do the lockers support IT equipment returns?

Employees can securely return damaged, redundant or end-of-life equipment through an automated locker workflow. Notifications and transaction records help IT teams track the return process and maintain a clear chain of custody.

Can employees use the lockers outside normal working hours?

Yes. The lockers can provide 24/7 self-service access, subject to the access permissions and operating rules configured for each workplace.

Do the lockers reduce reliance on staffed IT service desks?

Yes. Employees can collect or return approved equipment without requiring a face-to-face handover. This reduces routine service-desk activity and allows IT teams to focus on more complex support requirements.

Are locker transactions recorded and auditable?

Yes. Deposits, notifications, collections and returns can be recorded within the locker management platform, providing an auditable transaction history for IT, security, facilities and compliance teams.

How do smart lockers help reduce IT support costs?

The lockers reduce manual handovers, repeated collection arrangements and emergency delivery requirements. They also allow equipment to be managed centrally while employees access devices through secure, local self-service collection points.

Can the system support different locker sizes and equipment types?

Yes. Locker configurations can include different compartment sizes for laptops, monitors, mobile devices, accessories, parcels and personal belongings. Each location can be configured around its expected equipment volumes and workflows.

How are employees notified that an item is ready?

The system can issue an automated notification containing the information or digital credential needed to access the assigned locker. The precise notification and authentication method depends on the organisation's configured workflow.

What security benefits do IT asset lockers provide?

The lockers provide controlled access, secure storage and a recorded chain of custody. Only authorised users can access assigned compartments, reducing the risks associated with unattended equipment and informal handovers.

What operational benefits did the global deployment create?

The programme created a repeatable process for IT equipment distribution and returns across multiple locations. It improved service availability, reduced administration, increased transaction visibility and supported consistent workplace technology standards.

Can the smart locker programme expand to additional countries and sites?

Yes. The deployment model is scalable and can be extended to new offices, regions and use cases. Standardised hardware, software and workflows make it easier to introduce the service across a wider international estate.

What technology supports the IT asset locker solution?

The solution combines smart locker hardware with cloud-based management software, secure user authentication, automated notifications, access controls and transaction reporting.

Can IT asset lockers integrate with existing workplace systems?

Yes. Depending on the project requirements, smart lockers can be integrated with identity, access control, service-management, workplace, asset-management and notification systems.

Which teams benefit from an IT asset locker deployment?

The solution can benefit IT operations, service-desk, workplace, facilities, security, compliance and asset-management teams, as well as employees, contractors and visitors.

How can another organisation assess a similar deployment?

The first step is to review current device distribution, replacement and return workflows. Vpod can then assess site numbers, transaction volumes, equipment sizes, access requirements, integrations and service objectives to develop an appropriate locker configuration.

Global FMCG IT asset smart lockers case study showing secure workplace technology and self-service locker access

Global workplace case study

Global FMCG IT Asset & Hybrid Smart Lockers

How a global FMCG company created a secure, scalable self-service model for IT assets and hybrid workplace services across 15 sites in nine countries.

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9Countries

15Sites

27Locker walls

874Doors

Global workplace transformation

One secure locker standard across a global estate.

The global FMCG company evolved its locker programme from personal workplace storage into critical IT infrastructure. The cloud-connected system supports urgent device replacement, end-of-life returns, accessory distribution and controlled access for employees, contractors and visitors.

✓

Self-service 24/7

Users collect or return equipment without waiting for on-site IT support.

✓

Complete chain of custody

Digital audit trails improve visibility, accountability and asset protection.

✓

Centralised administration

Policies, users and locker permissions can be managed consistently across locations.

Global FMCG smart locker deployment across nine countries, 15 sites, 27 locker walls and 874 doors

The challenge

IT support needed to move faster, securely and consistently.

Before deployment, device collection and replacement depended too heavily on local teams and manual handovers. The organisation also needed tighter control of valuable equipment and a consistent employee experience across countries.

01Slow equipment retrieval at sites without resident IT staff

02Downtime caused by urgent device replacement delays

03Limited chain-of-custody visibility for high-value assets

04Inconsistent processes and workplace experiences

IT asset management challenges before smart locker deployment including device replacement, security and global consistency

The solution

Cloud-connected digital lockers built for enterprise IT.

The organisation implemented configurable smart lockers with mobile and touchscreen access. Different user groups receive appropriate permissions while administrators retain central control of users, policies and reporting.

Flexible locker allocation

Assign compartments by role, asset type, location or operational requirement.

Multiple authentication methods

Support mobile access, PIN, RFID, SSO and other approved credentials.

Remote policy management

Maintain consistent governance and service standards across the global programme.

Cloud-connected IT asset locker solution with mobile access, touchscreen control and digital audit trails

IT asset lockers used for emergency laptop replacement, equipment returns, accessories and contractor access

Operational outcomes

Faster response. Lower cost. Better visibility.

Minutes, not days

Emergency replacement devices can be made available quickly without requiring on-site IT staff.

Secure returns

End-of-life and damaged equipment is returned through a traceable, controlled process.

Global consistency

A scalable operating model supports common standards while adapting to local site needs.

Smart locker outcomes including faster laptop replacement, lower IT costs, audit visibility and 24/7 employee access

Key users of IT asset smart lockers including IT operations, facilities teams, employees, contractors and technology leaders

People and teams

One solution supporting every workplace stakeholder.

IT operations teams gain control and visibility. End-user computing teams accelerate deployment and returns. Facilities leaders improve workplace services. Employees, contractors and visitors receive a simple, consistent self-service experience.

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Strategic value

From storage furniture to global workplace infrastructure.

The programme demonstrates how digital smart lockers can become part of a wider IT service model. By combining secure self-service, automated tracking and centralised control, organisations can reduce operational friction while improving employee experience and governance.

24/7Secure employee access

GlobalConsistent operating model

Watch the Global FMCG IT asset and hybrid smart lockers case study video

Build your business case

See the complete global FMCG IT asset locker story.

Download the full PDF case study or speak with Vpod about a secure, scalable smart locker programme for IT assets, workplace services and global operations.

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Global FMCG IT asset lockers

A scalable smart locker model for modern enterprise workplaces.

A global FMCG company uses digital smart lockers to support secure IT asset management across a multi-country workplace estate. The system gives employees controlled self-service access to laptops, replacement devices, accessories and other equipment while helping IT teams maintain a reliable audit trail.

The programme also supports end-of-life returns, damaged device recovery, contractor access and workplace storage. Central administration allows permissions and policies to be managed consistently, while local sites can adapt locker capacity and workflows to specific operational requirements.

For organisations with distributed teams, hybrid working patterns or locations without permanent IT support, smart lockers can reduce manual handovers and urgent shipping costs. They also improve visibility by recording each collection, return and transfer.

Vpod designs, deploys and supports connected smart locker solutions for enterprise workplaces. The case study shows how a phased deployment can expand from employee storage into a global digital infrastructure platform for IT services and workplace operations.