The smart locker system was recognized in the Primary Education category for providing a practical, automated approach to K–12 device handoffs.

MADISON, Wis. — [September 1, 2026] — ForwardPass by LocknCharge has received a Future’s Best of Show Award, presented by Tech & Learning at ISTELive 2026, in the Primary Education category.

The award was announced under LocknCharge, before the technology transitioned to ForwardPass by LocknCharge. ForwardPass is a smart locker for IT device handoffs that automates how schools manage device loans, repairs, deployments, replacements and secure charging.

The Tech & Learning Best of Show Awards at ISTELive 2026 recognize education technology products exhibited at the conference. Winners were selected by a panel of professional users and editors using nomination information and on-site product inspection.

Evaluation criteria included ease of use, overall value, uniqueness in the market, and clear evidence that the product can streamline school workflows and support student achievement.

What Tech & Learning judges said about the smart locker system

Tech & Learning’s judges recognized the ForwardPass system for addressing a real operational challenge in schools: managing the daily movement of student devices without adding more manual work for IT teams, teachers or front-office staff.

“It combines secure hardware with cloud-based workflow management, reducing the burden on IT staff while improving accountability,” the judges said.

The judges also highlighted the system’s authentication options and real-time tracking, describing it as a mature and practical solution for 1:1 device environments.

Why this recognition matters to K–12 IT teams

A forgotten, broken or uncharged device can quickly become more than a technology issue. It can take a student out of class, interrupt a teacher, and pull an IT team member away from higher-priority work.

ForwardPass helps schools manage those moments through secure, self-serve device handoffs. Depending on the workflow, students and staff can authenticate at the kiosk, collect or return a device and continue with their day without waiting for someone from IT to manage the exchange in person.

Pre-built workflows support common K–12 device operations, including:

• Providing temporary loan devices

• Collecting broken devices for repair

• Issuing working replacements

• Deploying assigned devices

• Providing secure charging access 

Every pickup, return, and exchange can be recorded, giving school IT teams a clearer chain of custody and more reliable information for follow-up, reporting and accountability.

“School IT teams do not need another system that creates more work. They need a dependable way to get the right device to the right person and help students return to learning quickly,” said James Symons, CEO of ForwardPass by LocknCharge. “This recognition is especially meaningful because the judges considered how the system works in a real education environment. It reflects what we have learned from schools over 28+ years and the customer feedback that continues to shape ForwardPass.”

Built on experience schools can trust

ForwardPass builds on LocknCharge’s 28+ years of experience developing device-management solutions for education and other device-dependent organizations.

That experience includes:

• Use by more than 20,000 organizations worldwide. ForwardPass and LocknCharge solutions support schools, districts, universities, and organizations across multiple industries.

• Independently evaluated security controls. ForwardPass is SOC 2 certified, demonstrating that relevant security controls have been evaluated for how effectively they operate over time.

• In-house hardware and software expertise. ForwardPass combines purpose-built smart locker hardware with software developed around real device workflows rather than simple bay access.

• Customer-led product development. Feedback from education IT teams continues to inform workflows, reporting, authentication, remote management, and other platform capabilities.

• Measured customer outcomes. ForwardPass customers have reported saving more than 120 minutesper day and spending up to 80% less time managing devices.

Recognition across education technology

The ForwardPass solution has been recognized by leading education technology organizations for helpingschools create safer, more efficient, and more effective learning environments. These honors reflect the impact of its products across the education market:

• 2026 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Best Overall IT Solution Provider for the Education Market

• 2025 EdTech Awards: Cool Tool Award winner for Mobile App/Mobile Device Solution

• 2024 Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School winner in the Secondary category

• 2024 Tech & Learning Best of Show: ISTELive Best of Show winner

About ForwardPass by LocknCharge

ForwardPass by LocknCharge is a smart locker system for IT device handoffs. It automates how schools, universities and workplaces manage device loans, repairs, deployments, replacements and charging.

ForwardPass combines secure smart locker hardware with self-serve access, pre-built workflows, remote administration and transaction records. Users can access the device they need without waiting for an in-person handoff, while IT teams maintain visibility and control throughout the process.

ForwardPass builds on LocknCharge’s 28+ years of experience helping more than 20,000 organizations secure, charge, store and manage mobile devices.

Learn more at forwardpass.io — the official website of the ForwardPass smart locker solution.

About Tech & Learning’s Best of Show Awards at ISTELive

Tech & Learning’s Best of Show Awards recognize products exhibited at ISTELive that demonstrate strong potential to improve education. Entries are reviewed by professional users and editors using information supplied by nominees and inspection of the products at the event.

The 2026 categories included Primary Education, Secondary Education and Higher Education. Winners were announced by Tech & Learning on July 1, 2026.