A smart carrier has a housing comprising one or more docking locations configured to accept a secure receptacle, a wireless interface module disposed within the housing, and a processor disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the one or more docking locations and the wireless interface module. The processor is configured to communicate with an external device through the wireless interface module and with a secure receptacle that is mated with one of the one or more docking locations. The smart carrier also has a battery disposed within the housing and configured to provide all operational power to the processor, the wireless interface module, and the one or more docking locations.