cora Blog | Your knowledge hub for smart automation

Smart lockers in the healthcare sector - more than just digital lockers

Written by Team cora | Jun 19, 2025 3:17:06 PM

 

Traditional lockers have had their day. Instead of mechanical locks, smart lockers offer digitally controlled, contactless access options - whether by app, employee ID card or RFID. This saves time, reduces security risks and enables seamless tracking. In the healthcare sector, where security, traceability and hygiene are top priorities, such systems are not a gimmick, but a real game changer.

Hospital operations place the highest demands on IT solutions

Hospitals are no ordinary organizations - they operate 24/7, are under constant cost pressure and are often organized decentrally: across several buildings, locations or even regions. IT must therefore not only be stable, secure and scalable, but also flexible enough to fit into these demanding operations. Smart Lockers meet precisely these requirements - as a reliable point of contact with a high degree of automation.

IT simply has to work around the clock

Nursing staff and medical specialists are under constant time pressure. In addition to patient care, they have extensive documentation obligations - often via ward laptops or mobile devices. Precisely because working with people always takes priority, the IT hardware must run absolutely reliably in the background.

However, if there is a failure - be it a defective mouse, a missing charging cable or a laptop that no longer works - the solution must not be an obstacle. With a Smart Locker, such devices can be replaced or resupplied easily, contactlessly and around the clock.

Less walking, more time for patients

One of the biggest advantages: Hardware, high-quality work equipment and sensitive devices are available where they are needed - around the clock. Hospital staff simply fetch the items they need from the nearest cora, without any dependency on IT. This relieves the burden on internal support teams and increases the availability of essential assets for a smooth workflow, such as IT equipment or replacement devices.

A practical example: the St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital uses Smart Locker for the automated issue of IT equipment - with great success. Devices are managed via a central platform, access is documented and returns are automatically recognized. This creates transparency, saves resources and minimizes losses.