The Future of Secure Storage

Why Are Organisations Moving Toward Networked Furniture Locks?
News 📅 January 22nd, 2026

Across modern workplaces, secure storage is undergoing a transformation. What was once a purely mechanical function - keys, cylinders, manual control - is becoming a connected, data-enabled layer of facility infrastructure. Networked furniture locks are emerging as a response to changing expectations around flexibility, digitisation, and workplace experience.

Shifting from Physical Keys to Digital Access

Traditional key systems create friction: keys get lost, permissions must be updated manually, and administration becomes more complex as organisations grow. Networked locking systems approach access control as a digital process rather than a physical one.

Centralised platforms allow organisations to assign, update, or revoke access rights from anywhere. Changes take effect immediately and in real time, ensuring a level of responsiveness that mechanical systems simply cannot provide.

Integration with the Wider Workplace Ecosystem

As workplaces adopt hybrid models and digital workflows, security infrastructure must integrate seamlessly with existing systems. Networked locks increasingly connect through APIs into:

  • IT systems

  • Building-management platforms

  • Identity-management tools

  • Workplace mobile apps

This interoperability ensures that storage access becomes part of a unified user journey: one badge, one app, one identity across the entire workspace.

Real-Time Visibility as a Strategic Advantage

A connected system provides insights into usage, occupancy, and system status. Facility teams gain a real-time overview of which lockers are used, by whom, and when. This enables:

  • Better utilisation of office space

  • Faster response times to issues

  • Data-driven decision-making

In a workplace where flexibility is the default, visibility becomes essential.

A New Standard for the Digital Workplace

Networked locks reflect a broader shift: workplaces are becoming more dynamic, more integrated, and more service-oriented. Secure storage is no longer static infrastructure but a digital touchpoint in the employee experience.

Solutions such as on-premise, centrally managed locking software demonstrate how organisations can adopt these technologies while retaining full control over data and system architecture.

About Us

The LEHMANN Group is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of mechanical and electronic locking systems for furniture and facility equipment. With its headquarters in Minden and around 400 employees worldwide, this family-owned company stands for quality, innovation, and reliable delivery.

Since 1962, LEHMANN has been developing future-oriented solutions – from classic cylinder locks to modern electronic systems with RFID or fingerprint technology. Production takes place in Germany and covers every step, from development to electroplating – “100% Made in Germany.”

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