Smart locker solutions firm Bloq.it has secured a contract to become the software provider for the new OneStopBox carrier agnostic locker network in Germany, which aims to roll out thousands of units across the country over the next three years.
OneStopBox was launched in March this year by DHL. The network will be open to all parcel carriers for OOH deliveries as well as to retailers for click and collect services. The network is being managed by a new DHL subsidiary, ‘Innovative und nachhaltige Automations-Lösungen GmbH’ (Innovative and Sustainable Automation Solutions).
The firm plans to set up an initial 100 OneStopBoxes in larger cities this year and then expand with a further 2,000 installations in 2025, and 5,000 by 2027. The new network will complement DHL’s 13,000 Packstation lockers which operate as a closed network.
Managing the agnostic network
To manage and control the OneStopBoxes, regardless of their location, DHL required a comprehensive software solution that could provide a streamlined process, optimized for open networks.
To meet this need, Bloq.it, which already works with the likes of DHL eCommerce and Vinted Go, is integrating its Bloq.it OS software platform, which enables the unified management of the smart lockers, regardless of their manufacturer and enhances the user experience for parcel deliveries and click and collect services. It also eliminates the need for disparate systems and manual processes.
“Bloq.it’s expertise in smart locker technology aligns perfectly with our mission, and together, we are poised to redefine the standards of convenience and accessibility,” said Elena Kasper, Head of Product Management at OneStopBox.
Setting new standards
The partnership, according to Bloq.it, is set to prove the feasibility for open networks of smart lockers. “With Bloq.it OS powering the network, OneStopBox will achieve true agnosticism, enabling seamless parcel reception from multiple carriers,” added Miha Jagodic, CEO of Bloq.it.
“This collaboration sets the standard for open network protocols in the industry, and we anticipate deploying thousands of automated parcel machines as a result,” Jagodic concluded.
Bloq.it offers integrated end-to-end smart locker solutions, from hardware production through its network of production partners to the development of complete software platforms. Thanks to partnerships like the one with Vinted Go announced late last year, Bloq.it anticipates having more than 10,000 active lockers worldwide by the end of 2024.
