A convertible, multi-directional lock (10; 200) for a door, cabinet, panel, or drawer in a cabinet, locker, furniture, or other storage device, the lock comprising: a main housing (12; 202; 342), including [[]]a circuit board (38; 224; 356) disposed within the main housing and [[;]] a microprocessor disposed on the circuit board; a lock housing (14; 130; 160; 204; 300; 344) mountable to the main housing, wherein the lock housing is selectively mountable to the main housing in at least two orientations; and a locking element disposed in the lock housing and configured to translate between a locked position and an unlocked position; characterized in that: an actuator (60; 262) is disposed in the lock housing and configured to translate the locking element; a connector (232; 392) is either associated with the lock housing and in electrical communication with the actuator or disposed on the circuit board and in communication with the microprocessor; and a plurality of receivers (236; 358a, 358b, 358c) which are the other of disposed on the circuit board and in communication with the microprocessor or associated with the lock housing and in electrical communication with the actuator; wherein when lock housing is mounted to the main housing in any of the at least two orientations, the connector engages one of the receivers, such that the microprocessor can signal the actuator to translate the locking element. a main housing (12; 202; 342), including [[]]a circuit board (38; 224; 356) disposed within the main housing and [[;]] a microprocessor disposed on the circuit board; a lock housing (14; 130; 160; 204; 300; 344) mountable to the main housing, wherein the lock housing is selectively mountable to the main housing in at least two orientations; and a locking element disposed in the lock housing and configured to translate between a locked position and an unlocked position; characterized in that: an actuator (60; 262) is disposed in the lock housing and configured to translate the locking element; a connector (232; 392) is either associated with the lock housing and in electrical communication with the actuator or disposed on the circuit board and in communication with the microprocessor; and a plurality of receivers (236; 358a, 358b, 358c) which are the other of disposed on the circuit board and in communication with the microprocessor or associated with the lock housing and in electrical communication with the actuator; wherein when lock housing is mounted to the main housing in any of the at least two orientations, the connector engages one of the receivers, such that the microprocessor can signal the actuator to translate the locking element. an actuator (60; 262) is disposed in the lock housing and configured to translate the locking element; a connector (232; 392) is either associated with the lock housing and in electrical communication with the actuator or disposed on the circuit board and in communication with the microprocessor; and a plurality of receivers (236; 358a, 358b, 358c) which are the other of disposed on the circuit board and in communication with the microprocessor or associated with the lock housing and in electrical communication with the actuator; wherein when lock housing is mounted to the main housing in any of the at least two orientations, the connector engages one of the receivers, such that the microprocessor can signal the actuator to translate the locking element.