ForwardPass and Signifi both offer smart locker solutions for IT asset management, but they differ in their approach to device workflows, hardware configuration, and supported applications.
ForwardPass focuses on IT device management, with dedicated workflows for loaners, repairs, replacements, deployments, and charging. Signifi offers a broader portfolio of configurable smart lockers serving IT operations, retail fulfillment, parcel collection, and other self-service applications.
This comparison examines capabilities, integrations, security credentials, hardware options, and deployment requirements to help organizations choose the solution that best fits their needs.
Key takeaways
- Both ForwardPass and Signifi support integrations through APIs and webhooks, allowing organizations to connect locker operations with existing IT systems.
- ForwardPass lists hardware compliance credentials covering North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, while Signifi lists approvals primarily covering North America and Europe.
- ForwardPass offers standardized indoor lockers in 5-, 8-, 15-, and 23-bay configurations, while Signifi provides modular hardware with customizable compartments and outdoor options.
ForwardPass vs Signifi at a glance
ForwardPass and Signifi locker systems both support IT device management, but their capabilities differ in workflow specialization, hardware flexibility, identity management, and deployment options.
| Criterion | ForwardPass | Signifi |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow depth | Loaners Repairs Replacements Deployments Charging Single Use |
Supports IT asset loaning, BOPIS, device storage, parcel delivery, with less emphasis on dedicated, named workflows |
| Device charging | 36W USB-C Power Delivery AC |
Powered bays Power specifications not available |
| User authentication | Barcode QR code PIN code RFID Username/password SSO |
QR code PIN code RFID NFC Biometric PIV card |
| ITSM/MDM integrations | Available via webhooks and APIs | Available via webhooks and APIs |
| Identity providers/platforms supported | 28 identity providers/platforms supported, including: Okta Microsoft Entra ID Microsoft Active Directory Google Workspace OneLogin Cloudflare Salesforce |
Microsoft Active Directory |
| Reporting: Current and historical activity across lockers, users, devices, and workflows, with filtering and export options | Available | Available |
| Audit trail: Historical records of users, devices, lockers, workflows, statuses, and timestamped events | Available | Available |
| Certification | SOC 2 GDPR FCC certification cETLus certification CE marking UKCA marking RCM marking |
SOC 2 GDPR CAMSC Certified WBE Canada IAITAM UL marking CSA marking CE marking NMSDC |
| Hardware size options | 5, 8, 15, 23 bays | 32, 64, 128 bays on the High Density smart locker line; customizable configurations across products |
| Physical deployment | Fixed units, tower formats with wheeled base | Modular, vertical configurations; caster wheels on some models |
| Customer support: Onboarding, training, technical support, warranty support, installation, and networking assistance | Dedicated support | Dedicated account manager |
| Contract structure | Subscription model covering hardware, software, support, and lifecycle services; contract terms vary by agreement | Subscription-based ITAMaaS model covering hardware, software, support, and services; includes hardware refresh cycles |
How ForwardPass and Signifi differ in practice
ForwardPass focuses on dedicated IT device workflows, broad identity-provider compatibility, and standardized indoor lockers, while Signifi offers greater hardware flexibility across IT, retail, and other self-service applications.
Depth of certifications
Both ForwardPass and Signifi publish security assurance and hardware compliance credentials, but their certification profiles differ in regional emphasis.
ForwardPass documents SOC 2 assurance alongside hardware certifications and conformity markings covering North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Signifi also claims SOC 2 assurance but lists a narrower set of hardware approvals, including UL, CSA, and CE, primarily covering North American and European markets.
As a Canadian company, Signifi highlights Canadian supplier diversity certifications from CAMSC and WBE Canada, which verify qualifying minority-, Indigenous-, and women-owned businesses. These credentials support procurement programs that prioritize diverse suppliers.
Identity management
ForwardPass supports 28 identity providers and platforms, including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, OneLogin, and Microsoft Active Directory. This gives organizations multiple options for connecting their existing identity management infrastructure.
Signifi publicly documents Microsoft Active Directory integration, but its broader compatibility with identity providers is not clearly established. Organizations using other identity management platforms should confirm whether Signifi supports direct integration, requires custom development, or involves additional configuration.
Workflow depth
For organizations evaluating a Signifi smart locker competitor, ForwardPass offers a device-focused alternative with dedicated IT workflows built into its cloud-based portal and smart locker hardware designed to support them. Signifi takes a broader approach, offering configurable hardware and software for IT asset management, retail fulfillment, parcel collection, and other self-service applications.
The ForwardPass portal includes five predefined workflows, each designed to handle a specific device management task:
- Loaners: Users borrow temporary devices through self-service lockers, with configurable loan durations, return rules, and overdue notifications.
- Repairs: Users submit faulty devices, report issues, and receive notifications when repaired devices are ready for collection.
- Replacements: Users exchange faulty devices for permanent replacements, with both transactions recorded.
- Deployments: IT teams distribute devices through authenticated self-service pickups, with device assignments and collection records.
- Charging: Users securely store and charge devices, while administrators monitor charging sessions and locker availability.
ForwardPass workflows can also work together. For example, an organization can link Repairs and Loaners so users receive temporary devices when submitting equipment for repair. When collecting their repaired devices, users are prompted to return the loaners. This reduces the need for IT staff to coordinate each physical exchange.
Education deployments demonstrate how self-service device lending reduces manual IT work. For example, at Kingsway Christian College, a ForwardPass smart locker-based laptop lending program reduced checkout time for relief teachers by approximately 75%.
At SUNY Fredonia, a 15-bay ForwardPass smart locker enables students to borrow and return charged laptops 24/7, with each transaction recorded automatically. As part of the Innovation Lab redesign, the university reduced fixed desktop stations from 30 to 14, creating more space for other learning technologies.
Signifi presents device management primarily through supported use cases and configurable solutions rather than a defined set of dedicated IT workflows. Signifi’s SignifiVISION software supports IT asset loaning, repairs, replacements, and distribution.
Other supported applications include buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS), parcel collection, and temperature-controlled food storage. Signifi emphasizes the flexibility of SignifiVISION across applications, with less attention to the individual steps and controls involved in managing mobile devices.
Read more: Explore our guide to smart lockers for education for K–12 and higher education use cases, essential device-management features, and deployment considerations.
Deployment flexibility
ForwardPass smart lockers are designed for indoor device storage and management, with standardized bay dimensions across its 5-, 8-, 15-, and 23-bay models. Signifi offers greater hardware customization, including adjustable bay sizes, environmental controls, and indoor and outdoor deployment options.
ForwardPass lockers use passive ventilation through perforated construction. Our smart locker bays accommodate laptops, tablets, smartphones, and handheld equipment such as scanners and radios, provided the devices fit the specified bay dimensions. This standardized design helps IT teams select locker models based on device size and storage capacity needs.
Signifi’s modular smart lockers offer additional physical configuration options:
- Customizable configurations: Bay dimensions can be adjusted for different item sizes, with options to reconfigure layouts as storage requirements change.
- Heating and cooling: Temperature-controlled bays support products requiring specific storage conditions, including food and temperature-sensitive materials.
- UV sanitization: Optional UV lights disinfect locker bays and contents, while touchscreen nanocoating is marketed as reducing bacterial transmission.
- Indoor and outdoor installation: An outdoor retrofit kit allows certain indoor locker configurations to be adapted for outdoor use.
Signifi’s hardware flexibility is particularly relevant for organizations with changing storage requirements or locations where standard indoor lockers may not be suitable. Buyers should confirm which options are available for their intended deployment.
Signifi locker review: Strengths and limitations
Signifi’s strengths lie in its versatile hardware, broad range of applications, and supplier credentials. These are not necessarily advantages over ForwardPass in device management, as several address requirements outside ForwardPass’s primary focus. The more relevant distinction for IT buyers is the degree of specialization.
Signifi strengths
- Hardware flexibility: Modular compartments, temperature controls, UV sanitization, and indoor/outdoor deployment options.
- Versatile applications: Supports IT asset management, retail fulfillment, parcel collection, and other self-service operations.
- Supplier credentials: Canadian supplier diversity certifications may benefit organizations with specific procurement requirements.
Signifi limitations and tradeoffs
- Device-management specialization: Signifi serves multiple applications, whereas ForwardPass provides dedicated workflows for recurring IT device operations.
- Hardware requirements: Signifi’s wider configuration options may offer limited practical value to organizations that only need standardized indoor device lockers.
Vendor-verification checklist
Before selecting ForwardPass, Signifi, or an alternative option, buyers should confirm how each solution meets their operational, technical, and contractual requirements. Request written specifications, product demonstrations, and contract details to evaluate vendors on consistent terms.
Ask smart locker vendors the following 10 questions:
| Category | Question |
|---|---|
| Security assurance | Can you provide your latest SOC 2 report, including its type, reporting period, and scope? |
| Device charging | What charging connectors and wattage per bay are available for the proposed locker configuration? |
| Repair workflows | Can users submit faulty devices, collect temporary loaners, and return them when repairs are complete? |
| ITSM integration | Which ITSM platforms are supported, and what data and actions can the integrations exchange? |
| Identity management | Which identity providers and SSO methods are supported, and do they require additional configuration? |
| Hardware suitability | Which locker models and compartment sizes accommodate our intended devices/items, and what installation or environmental restrictions apply? |
| Implementation | What are the expected delivery, installation, configuration, and testing timelines? |
| Support | What service-level agreements (SLAs), response times, and maintenance arrangements are included? |
| Contract terms | What are the contract duration, renewal conditions, cancellation terms, and hardware replacement provisions? |
| Total cost of ownership | What is the full cost of hardware, software, implementation, support, and ongoing maintenance over the contract period? |
Download the Smart Locker Buying Guide
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Other Signifi alternatives to consider
Other smart locker systems to consider include Velocity Smart Lockers, Ricoh, eLocker, Gantner, Yellowbox, Meridian Kiosks, and Smartbox. These vendors serve different operational needs, so buyers should distinguish device-management systems from general-purpose storage and parcel lockers.
The alternatives fall into three main categories based on their primary applications — IT device management, workplace storage, and general-purpose self-service collection:
- Velocity Smart Lockers and Ricoh: Support device distribution and return workflows, with charging available on selected configurations.
- eLocker, Gantner, and Yellowbox: Offer smart access and retrofit options for workplace lockers.
- Meridian Kiosks and Smartbox Lockers: Provide configurable self-service systems for mixed-use storage and package delivery.
Read more: Explore our smart locker buying tips for practical guidance on evaluating security, integrations, vendor support, and total cost of ownership.
ForwardPass or Signifi: Which one should you choose?
Choosing between ForwardPass and Signifi requires assessing how each system fits your organization’s operational needs, existing infrastructure, and long-term plans. For example, when comparing smart lockers for offices, the distinction between device management and personal storage is particularly important.
Beyond comparing features, consider how the proposed solution will handle day-to-day activities, integrate with existing systems, and accommodate changes in device inventory or storage needs.
Request demonstrations of your intended workflows, confirm configuration requirements, and evaluate the full cost of ownership before committing to a vendor.
Book a Discovery to discuss your device-management needs and find a suitable ForwardPass configuration.
FAQ
What is the best alternative to Signifi smart lockers?
ForwardPass is a strong alternative to Signifi for organizations focused on IT device management, particularly laptop lending, repairs, replacements, deployments, and charging. Other alternatives include Velocity Smart Lockers, Ricoh, and eLocker, depending on the required workflows, hardware, and integrations.
How does ForwardPass compare to Signifi for school laptop lending?
ForwardPass provides a dedicated laptop lending locker solution with configurable loan durations, overdue notifications, device tracking, and return rules. Signifi also supports IT asset lending, but ForwardPass offers specialized workflow controls designed for recurring device loans. For more information on device lending and other applications of ForwardPass smart lockers, see our smart locker FAQ.
Does Signifi offer built-in device charging?
Yes, Signifi offers smart lockers with powered compartments for charging electronic devices. Devices can charge while securely stored, keeping them ready for the next user. Available charging configurations depend on the selected locker model.
How much do Signifi smart lockers cost?
Signifi advertises ITAMaaS managed-service packages starting at $700 per month for its Essentials tier, which can include a smart locker. Published Signifi pricing reflects a five-year agreement, while standalone smart locker pricing and configuration-specific costs require a vendor quote.
Is Signifi the same company as Signify?
No, Signifi and Signify are separate companies. Signifi provides smart lockers, automated vending, and IT asset management solutions, while Signify is a lighting technology company formerly associated with Philips Lighting.