Aqualink, Nunawading

Aqualink, Nunawading has been a long time client of Metra Australia and when the time came to upgrade their lockers, we knew exactly what was required.

Technology has changed dramatically from when their lockers were first installed 10 years ago. We were able to replace their old, members only, battery lock solution to the Metra hardwired centralised solution with two kiosks.

This solution has been installed with the capability to upgrade to casual use with a payWave/cashless payment option in the future. This will mean that when Aqualink are ready, their casual patrons PARC can purchase their own locker, in their own time, directly at the locker bank rather than going back to the reception.

Aqualink initially had MDF lockers with standard door hinges installed at the centre. Being a wet and high-humidity area, the MDF quickly started to rot and the hinges began to rust resulting in doors not functioning properly.

Our Kupan HPL lockers are designed and constructed to be water and corrosion-resistant. They feature a one piece aluminium hinge (no rust), self-closing doors and a 10-year warranty.

The installation of the Metra Locking system was also easily integrated with their 3^rd party POS solution via the use of our API.

Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre

Peninsular Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) opened in September 2014 thanks to the vision of Frankston City Council to ensure that everyone in Frankston has the opportunity to be active. PARC and Frankston City Council approached Metra Aus late 2019 to discuss the replacement of their 350+ lockers.

Not only did Metra Aus replace the lockers, we upgraded their solution to ensure the members and casual patrons of PARC had a modern and easy to use locker experience.

PARC initially had MDF lockers with standard door hinges installed through out the centre. However it soon became apparent that this was not the best solution. Being a wet and high-humidity area, the MDF quickly started to rot and the hinges began to rust resulting in doors not functioning properly.

Our Kupan HPL lockers are designed and constructed to be water and corrosion-resistant. A perfect solution for the lockers being used around the pool decks at PARC, featuring a one piece aluminium hinge (no rust), self-closing doors and a 10-year warranty.

Being a large centre, a mix of the Metra centralised locks, accessed via a central kiosk, and the Metra RFID on-door solution, was implemented.

The Metra centralised kiosks now have the ability to have a payWave/cashless payment option installed. This means that the casual patrons of PARC can purchase their own locker, in their own time, directly at the locker bank rather than going back to the reception.

The casual use of the lockers works by the patron selecting a locker available, assigning themselves a 4-digit PIN, and presenting their payWave card to the payment terminal.

Girton Grammar School

RFID Education Lockers

Girton Grammar School approached Metra Aus requesting a solution for new lockers. Basic school lockers are installed with the use of a padlock hasp for students however as Girton Grammar already use RFID card technology throughout their school, the decision was made to continue the trend and have their new lockers link to their existing technology via the Metra hard-wired locking solution. By linking the new lockers to their existing card technology, it meant their students didn’t require keys or have to remember codes for additional padlocks.

Students access their lockers by initially being assigned a locker via the schools admin and then swiping their card at the reader located on the locker bank to open their door

The Metra hard-wired locking solution also provides the school with locker usage status reports. The school can see when a locker has been opened and how many times. The solution also includes master cards which can open any door, perfect for school administrators.

The lockers themselves are made from High-Pressure Laminate (HPL). Designed and constructed to be water and corrosion-resistant and featuring a one piece aluminium hinge (no rust). This hinge also allows the locker doors to self-close. No more walking down school hallways having to shut all the opened lockers!

The sloping top addition is to prevent items being placed on the top of the units, and is finished to match the carcass. Our HPL lockers are all backed with a 10-year warranty.

Battery vs Hardwired locks

Metra Australia’s hardwired locker locks are easy to use and manage. Our web-based locker management software offers a real-time audit trail, reports, and the possibility to assign lockers from mobile devices. The locking solution is hardwired, does not use batteries, and is extremely environmentally friendly. It streamlines locker management, reduces ongoing operational costs, and is the ideal locker lock for fitness club changing rooms, end of trip facilities, or the modern office environment.

Are hardwired locks actually more expensive than battery-powered locks?

The perception in the marketplace tends to lean towards yes, that hardwired locks are more expensive. But whilst looking at the lifespan of the locks, and the required ongoing maintenance and replacement, you will quickly learn that hardwired locks can actually be less expensive than battery-powered locks.

As we also look to address environmental and climate considerations it is a business’s responsibility to take these concerns into account in all aspects of business, including minimizing their own ecological footprint. A facility with 1,000 lockers would require approximately 3000 batteries to run. That is approx 70kg in batteries that would need to be replaced and properly disposed of annually.

How long would it take to actually replace all of those batteries?

Let’s break this down: Each lock has screws holding on cover plates to protect a total of 3 -4 batteries — so it is safe to assume 2 – 3 mins per lock to change the batteries.

For 1,000 locks

At the low end, we are talking roughly 2,000 minutes,

On the high side of our experience, 3,000 minutes.

=

33 hours – 50 hours

of labour time alone to replace 3,000 – 4,000 batteries

In summary, by considering the time taken to replace the batteries, the associated cost with new batteries (some battery locks on the market will have proprietary batteries in them that are only sold by the lock manufacturer) and labour, as well as disposal on the old batteries, all on a yearly basis – the move to hardwired locking solutions is a great business decision.

Call Metra today to discuss how a networked operating system can improve your business 1300 METRAAUS

5 benefits of using RFID technology

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags that contain electronically stored information. RFID chips can be incorporated in wristbands, key tags, fobs, the paper passes, and plastic cards. Each unique RFID tag can allow timely access through doors, turnstiles, and lockers.

See below 5 benefits to using RFID technology in your next locking solution.

1) Data tracking

Because a person carries an RFID card with them, a smart-card system records her movements. For example, when a person enters a locked room with the card, the system notes the person, the date and time, and the activity.

2) Ease of use

Where a lost or stolen physical key can require you to replace the whole lock, an administrator can simply delete the lost/stolen tag’s access and program a new one.

3) Security

RFID key cards are much harder to copy than traditional keys, so offer peace of mind where unauthorized users are concerned. Key cards can also be deactivated to prevent an unauthorized user from gaining entry to a building or access to a storage locker.

4) Increased revenue and profits

For applications where access is required for a large number of people, for instance, gym members, getting traditional keys cut can be very expensive. With an RFID key card, replacements and cheap and easy.

5) Flexibility

RFID cards can be programmed and reprogrammed as the aspects of security requirements change. If an employee leaves, the card can be deactivated or reprogrammed for a new employee. It also allows changes to areas that personnel can access as their permissions grow and change.

Jobs we have recently completed utilizing RFID technology.

– Transport for NSW Macquarie Park

– Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

– SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Use the below form to enquire about how Metra Australia can assist your next project with RFID technology.

Transport for NSW Macquarie Park

Metra Australia are proud to once again be chosen by Transport for NSW to provide the latest in smart lockers. Together with Lockin we delivered a flexible and secure personal storage system that satisfies the needs of their staff.

The latest commercial office development at 45-61 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park is said to be one of Australia’s most contemporary business precincts. This project saw the team design and install 3,952 lockers set across six levels of the brand new office complex.

Each locker was fitted with the Metra HID Centralised Locking Solution (hard-wired, no batteries). Staff can access their assigned lockers via RFID media (smartcard or phone app) at one of the 64 Metra Reader Terminals, with genuine Bluetooth enabled HID technology, located within each of the locker banks.

Our integrated back office METRA ELS software solution meant staff were able to use their existing RFID media card for building access and locker access. Locker banks are located in various high traffic areas of each office space, including hallways, islands and built into plaster walls.

Loreto Mandeville Hall

Established in 1924, Loreto Mandeville Hall is an early learning, primary and secondary day school for girls, located in Toorak, Melbourne. METRA Australia recently completed the design and install of High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) lockers fitted with hard-wired electronic locks. Users conveniently access individual secure storage lockers via central keypad terminal.

Tuggerah

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Sydney Trains are operating agencies under the transport cluster of the NSW Government. Established with the goal to deliver a safe, integrated and efficient transport system across NSW along with making NSW a better place to live, work and visit. METRA Australia partnered with TfNSW, Roads and Maritime Services and Sydney Trains to deliver a flexible and secure personal storage system that satisfies the needs of their staff.

Our class-leading electronic locks and locking system has been designed and installed across 11,000 lockers over more than 30 separate floors, located in over 21 different sites throughout NSW.

Download the Case Study

Transport for NSW (TfNSW)