Laptop Trolley Security problems!

[DrBeaker]

Hi All,

 

What problems have you encountered with security of your laptop trolleys?

 

Has anybody had any good ideas or implemented any in-house solutions of any kind for security of your laptop trolleys?

 

We have several trolleys that are of an older design. They are Bretford trolleys. They don't have any kind of in-built lock, only a staple part that you fit a padlock through to secure them.

 

We seem to have nothing but problems with securing the units. We have setup padlocks time and time again. We've setup padlocks with keys. Either the key gets lost or the padlock itself goes missing. We have setup padlocks with a combination lock on. But either staff 'accidentally' change the combination, the students get to know what the code is - even when we change it on a regular basis. Or the padlock goes missing.

 

All of these problems result in the the trolley being unsecured. This is causing us a big headache and IMHO isn't even an IT problem. But to be honest I'm out of ideas now on this topic and wondered the the rest of the IT community thought?

 

Regards,

Mark.

[Marc_EduTech]

Because of this issue, I resorted to being the key holder, and all laptops trolleys were booked via the room/equipment booking system.

 

All staff signed a receipt of delivery/collection, and notes were to be made of any defects. Options for the teachers to sign the laptops out to students, so they knew who had what.

My technicians, as part of their proactive IT suite checks, would include giving the laptops a physical once over to ensure all was fine. Any issues, quickly traceable back to whichever member of staff had the laptops last.

 

This did initially require us to then move the trolleys back and forth, however I ended up implementing a system whereby the trolleys were issued to areas to minimise the impact on our department.

 

Accountability is the key. Teachers are rarely issued with it when it comes to IT kit, so force their hand. Don't like the rules, don't sign for or get the kit. SMT will fall into line with it too.

[NB9457]

Teachers here either lose the keys or leave them open and then complain when things get broke or go missing! We've tried various solutions but they were mostly too time consuming, considering in an ideal world, staff would just get the key and trolley from their departmental storage area and return it when done, but pigs will fly first here!

[Andrew_C]

This won't stop them loosing the key, but will keep the lock safe....

 

Locking Hasp & Staple

[LemonEntry]

If you have a reliable booking system for them, make sure they are checked after each loan. When damage or loss is discovered, *bill the department for repairs*.

 

Teachers take better care for equipment when its their money that goes to their replacement.