By: Nicholas Frew Posted: 08/17/2019 4:00 AM
Standing in lobby of 180 Roslyn, a brand-new upscale apartment complex in Osborne Village, is a grey locker measuring less than two metres tall and a little over a metre wide. It is installed with three security cameras, a computer with a touch screen and 12 compartments of various sizes lined with infrared technology.
Designed by Toronto-based Snaile Canada, the first smart locker in Winnipeg looks and operates like a heavy-duty bank machine. Yet, as more people go online to shop, it may revolutionize package delivery.
Susan Feldman, a co-developer of the complex and a champion for the installation of the machine, said she wanted the smart locker because there have been instances where packages were delivered but had to be left in the hallway, creating a fire hazard and leaving them open to theft.
“Clearly, it provides tremendous convenience,” Feldman said. “And with Amazon, online shopping becoming so popular, we wanted to make life easier and more seamless for our tenants.”
Kirstin Thomas, on-boarding specialist for Snaile, demonstrated how the machine works.
To deliver a package, someone chooses English or French labels, the size of the package and the unit to which it is addressed.
There’s a metallic thud as a door swings open, allowing the delivery person to insert the package into a slot.
Thomas said each slot has an infrared sensor to detect packages. Once detected, a notification will be sent to the package recipient via text message or email that their parcel has arrived. The recipient will receive reminders to pick up their package every 24 hours.
“It’s meant to be stupid simple,” Thomas said. “We’re trying to cover all age groups, all cultures across Canada. So it has to be straightforward.”
Thomas noted that tenants have access to the machine 24-7 and do not have to be on-site to accept a delivery. She said an access code will be sent to the recipient that will be punched in when they pick up the package.
Resident manager Rick Friesen said the smart locker has already been used by a handful of residents.
“It was seamless,” Friesen said. “It was like ordering your food at McDonald’s.”
Thomas says the smart locker has a computer connected to the cloud, where data about packages — such as size — is stored for up to three months.
The master smart locker, as Snaile calls it, is equipped with a set number of slots of various sizes. But should a building require more slots of a certain size, Thomas said, Snaile and the building manager could review the data and order an attachment to the master locker to meet the demand.
Snaile is still in its infancy. Thomas said the company was in the works for a few years, and its first locker was installed about a year ago.
Smart lockers have been installed in other Canadian cities such as Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, and Thomas said a locker may soon be installed in Saskatoon.
Snaile partnered with Mississauga, Ont.-based moving company AMJ Campbell, which ships and installs the machines. The company also manufactures refrigerated lockers for people who order groceries online from services such as Hello Fresh.
"We have the Snaile lockers installed in my building. Love them!"
"The 1Valet and Snaile solution has changed how resident deliveries enter this building. ensures the seamless operation of the building for its residents. We have recorded zero incidents of theft and never see parcels or delivery cards lying around. This really is the way of the future"
"The lockers (Snaile) have been a welcomed addition by the tenants and delivery companies"
"I appreciate your speedy response to my email about the deleted text with my PIN! Thank you!"
"Our lockers are getting a lot of use, even more so since the pandemic."
"Thank you so much for everything! You (Snaile) are absolutely awesome to deal with"
"I am still receiving the positive feedback from tenants and couriers. Couriers are thrilled with the addition. Especially during this peak delivery season "
"We're very pleased with the new lockers, and getting some good feedback from the tenants. We also like the fact that we are using a Canadian company for this service."
"I was challenged to come up with new and more efficient ways of doing things when it came to accepting inbound and processing outbound packages, after much research, it was a no brainer to go with Snaile. The software is super user friendly and easy to navigate, and the support staff is also very helpful, friendly, and easy to deal with"
"You (Snaile) have been very supportive even though we have so many questions, we really appreciate your help"
"After evaluating parcel locker providers in Canada, Snaile demonstrated to us they have the right solution for the Canadian building industry."
"Collection of the package was flawless. Great system."
"Thank you (Snaile) kindly for all your support; you've been exceptionally efficient and helpful"
"I totally support the system and service. Especially so now, given the new rules with social distancing but also as the demand for home delivery continues to increase. I think Snaile is a valuable service, we all could benefit from it."
"Our Residents Love it!"
"We have had positive feedback from residents that it is a secure way to deposit packages. All packages have been received on a timely basis with no missing packages"
"We love the Snaile system. We currently have it in our 93-unit building in Guelph, Ontario and our 78-unit building in Breslau, Ontario."
"This is our 3rd year now with Snaile Parcel Lockers and it is my pleasure to highly recommend this great system. It is very convenient and secure for our Residents to accept their packages from all carriers even when they are not home. The Snaile parcel delivery system is an excellent business partner."
"Great customer service. Very much enjoy our partnership with Snaile! Julie and Kirstin thank you for your help and assistance through our onboarding process!"
"I used the Snaile Parcel Locker System while I stayed at Monte Kwinter Court Apartments in Toronto. They came in very handy through out the pandemic when purchasing online items. Texts with codes for sent immediately. Very easy to use system!"
"90% of our buildings have Snaile lockers installed in them. I know the CEO very well. We first met when the firm was doing the installation at Monde. I love your product. It makes life so much easier for our staff in terms of parcel management. I look forward to working with the Snaile team."
"We love your product and have it installed in a number of our communities both in BC and Ontario."
"We have two lockers installed now and a third one on its way.
These are better than sliced bread."
