Running a car park in no easy task, even more difficult when done without a parking management system. In this fast-paced world where customers value convenience and time efficiency, even a few seconds could determine whether or not they will pay you a second visit. Therefore, having an efficient parking management system will not just make it easier for parking operators and managers to do their work. It will also lead to higher customer satisfaction rates, which means more profits for the business.
To reap the full benefits of a parking management system, you should take care to ensure you choose one with the right features. Advance Access offers a wide range of high-end car parking systems which are open to custom integrations and adjustments, ensuring you can find something to meet even the most complex of specialised needs.
What to Look for in a Car Park Management System
So how do you know a given car park system will suit your needs and those of your clients? Below are some key factors to look out for when deciding on the car parking system to go with.
Installation, Maintenance and Support
The reason you should opt for an automatic parking management system is to reduce the headache and hustle involved in running a car park. Therefore, your selected system should not be too difficult to set up and operate.
A good car parking system does not require much maintenance and the parties responsible for its maintenance should not have a hard time to acquire parts needed to provide support.
Location Friendliness
The location of your car park will play a major role in determining the priority of your management system. For instance, a facility located in a busy commercial hub will serve different needs than one in a residential area. Therefore, the type of management system suitable for these locations will be different.
For the busy commercial hub, the management system should be able to adjust to cater for rapid peak and off-peak changes. It should also have the ability to monitor and streamline the local traffic to plan for the availability of parking spaces. For the residential car park, you may want to have a system that can reserve space for regulars.
User Friendliness
A major part of convenience is how easy to use your system will be. This goes for both the operator and the customers. It should have the necessary features and visual indications to make it easy for the drivers to locate empty spaces and to get their vehicles in and out of the facilities. While focusing on simplicity, the system should have all the features that make it secure for the staff and customers using it. For the best user experience, the management system should have an easy and quick check-in and check-out time to reduce the time the customers have to wait in line.
The Adaptability of the System
Rapidly evolving technology means that the system may become outdated very quickly. It is therefore advisable to opt for an advanced model based on the latest technology to prevent the need to switch the system in the future. While it should come with as many features as possible, it should also be able to adapt to the changes in technology and allow upgrading with the latest software solutions to enhance its features and functionality.
What options are available?
Before investing in any one system, be sure to browse through various catalogues to give you an idea of the options available. Since different parking management systems are designed to cater to different needs, ensure your final choice matches the type of car park you have. Below are some of the available options:
Automatic Pay Stations and Barriers
These are the simplest parking management systems. The barriers will prevent the vehicles from driving out before they can be cleared. A driver can pull up and will be offered a blank parking ticket which will register the amount due. The driver can then put their tickets into the machine and will be informed of the amount they owe. The ticket is returned at the barrier as a confirmation of payment after which they can safely exit the facility.
AutoPay Parking System
These are becoming more popular than ever since they do not involve any physical tickets. When a vehicle enters the car park, it is tracked via its registration number and upon exit, the driver will pay for the amount they will have accrued at the barrier. This simple check-in saves valuable time for both the customers and the operator, which more than makes up for the also short time spent making the payment.
