4.5 min read

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Author: Adamo Donatucci, Business Development and Strategy Officer, Precise ParkLink

Updated: July 19th, 2024

For decades, technology and automation have been at the forefront of successful parking operations. The parking and mobility industry has utilized technology to reinforce many parts of the customer journey and business management experiences, from mobile apps to business intelligence tools and smart pay stations. With each advancement, parking has become more seamless, efficient, and easier for organizations and their customers to manage.

Today, the industry's vision toward a wholly automated management experience and a frictionless journey has come to life. There is an automated solution for just about every parking area, from virtual customer service to frictionless entry and exit and cloud-based enforcement; technology is at the forefront of effective parking experiences at both the consumer and business levels. These advanced technologies have allowed parking operations to adapt to ever-changing demands and expectations.

Below are four considerations when transitioning your parking management to a completely automated strategy.

1. Do I have a live connection to my customers, devices and logistics on-site?

It is vital to be aware of what is occurring on-site while being able to assist customers and keep tabs on logistics is vital. Thanks to intelligent solutions such as remote site monitoring and digital customer service, you are guaranteed to have a 24/7 connection to your on-site operations and devices without physically being there. This streamlines processes, reduces costs, and provides contact with your customers and technology. Pairing this solution with a central management platform will allow you to successfully manage and control your parking portfolio with access to many data insights.

2. Do I have self-serve options that both my administration and customers can utilize to fulfill their needs?

Today, customers not only desire convenience, they expect it—and it is no different when it comes to parking. Because of this, self-serve options such as mobile platforms for payments, reservations, validations, and parking permits are becoming increasingly common within parking facilities.

But make no mistake. These self-serve options are equally essential to managing a parking operation successfully in the age of convenience. Now, the ability to manage enforcement, reservations, validations, and parking subscriptions and view reports and data for all of these items is essential to keeping pace with the market. Typically housed within a single business management platform, property managers can monitor, track, and pinpoint what is and isn't working within their facility and devise the necessary solutions.

3. Do I have smart and connected parking devices on-site to fuel my vision of automation and business intelligence?

Smart and connected devices, whether gated or non-gated, are the foundation of automation and the key to fostering a smart parking program. Whether it be automated pay stations for easy transactions, license plate recognition and parking guidance for access and traffic control, customer convenience and dynamic pricing knowledge, or EV chargers for the added amenity and sustainability, today's smart parking technologies will help fuel your vision of comprehensive automation. These technologies enhance user experiences and provide valuable data for operational improvements.

However, it is essential to note that these technologies must be smart and connected to effectively communicate data, analytics, and reports for business intelligence.

4. What sales and marketing strategies are in place to attract and retain customers?

Everything starts online in today's day and age, including the parking experience. As a property manager, your primary goal is to ensure your parking lot is visible to attract and retain customers—and this begins online. Tactics associated with search engine optimization (SEO) will help you develop a solid online presence where customers can easily access information about your parking lot.

Utilizing various digital strategies is imperative to maintain your offline presence. For example, using digital signage for easy customer navigation, launching loyalty programs to retain customer repertoire, and deploying display advertising on your parking devices as an additional source of revenue or brand awareness for your organization are simple solutions that make a huge impact.

Moreover, transforming your facility into a mobility hub for your customers by introducing last-mile services such as eateries, package pick-ups, or car services will make your facility more than just a place to park nearby; it will become a place to return for convenience.

Suppose you are looking to transform your parking management strategy with automation. In that case, a good starting point is ensuring you have smart and connected devices on-site that generate data, analytics, and reports. Pairing these technologies with secure financial processes, BI tools to help you manage the program, and recurring revenue channels such as automated parking permit solutions and mobile payment platforms are intelligent first steps to ensure your parking program’s success in the early stages of automation.

What is the best part of investing in smart and connected parking technologies? They can all be connected to foster a streamlined environment that makes monitoring, measuring and building on your existing parking system easy. This interconnected system simplifies management and enhances overall performance, ensuring long-term success. 

References

Digital marketing for parking facilities - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from /ps-digital-marketing-services

License plate recognition - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from /ps-license-plate-recognition-parking-technology

Live central monitoring - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from /ps-live-central-monitoring-iparc

Park Assist Parking Guidance System - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from /ps-park-assist-parking-guidance-system

Parking enforcement services - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from /ps-parking-enforcement-services

Parking Revenue Financial Services - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from /gw-parking-revenue-financial-services