Parking is a pain point faced by millions of businesses worldwide. It is often an area overlooked when it comes to customer satisfaction. But providing an easy-to-access parking facility is one of the key drivers when it comes to improving customer satisfaction. This is where products like parking management systems and parking guidance systems come into play. Today, we are taking a look at what the differences between the both are and which one you should choose for your use cases.
What is a parking management system?
A parking management system is software or a web application that manages your whole parking operations. From letting drivers in to displaying the available spaces and collecting payments, a parking management system offers an end-to-end solution for all the parking troubles.
Parking management systems can fully automate a parking lot from entry to exit using ANPR cameras, automatic barriers, payment collection systems, live parking displays, mobile apps, etc. This makes a parking management system a great choice for parking lots that are hard to manage manually or for businesses who want a system that will take care of the complete parking operations by itself.
These types of parking management systems do not require human involvement, but if you prefer, you can have parking staff for collecting cash payments or to resolve customer queries, etc.
At Entry2Exit, we offer a fully automated ANPR-based parking management system where when a car comes, the number plate is automatically captured, then the barrier automatically opens, and when it’s their time to leave, they can pay for the parking. Once validated, the exit gate will open.
There are additional customizations available, such as a lot of customers prefer to provide free parking for paying customers. We have done multiple retail center projects where this was a common requirement. Then there are businesses who want to provide free parking for everyone. In such cases, the payment system is not required, but it also tracks and saves everything that is happening in the parking lot. This is a great feature for auditing purposes.
One other aspect of parking management systems is its reporting capabilities. Entry2Exit parking management systems provide a complete end-to-end report with all the details of the vehicles, the number plate, the time that they entered, the time that they left, the parking fee they paid, the payment reference number, photo of the number plate, mobile number, email address, etc., if those are collected. And this can go further according to the requirements of the customers.
What is a parking guidance system?
Parking guidance systems are used to provide easy navigation for drivers who enter a parking facility. It’s always a major challenge in large parking lots, especially multi-level parkings. The drivers find it hard to figure out the vacant or available spots. Parking guidance systems are a great solution for this.
It uses sensors and colored LEDs to let the drivers know where the free spots are. If a parking spot is taken, the LED above that spot will be lit in red color. If a spot is free, those spots are lit in green color. So when a driver goes inside a parking lot, he can immediately look for the green colored spots and park there.
This is made possible through the help of parking sensors that are placed above each parking spot. The sensors can identify if a car has parked under it. Some sensors have the capability to identify the number plates also. This enables drivers to know where their car is parked through mobile applications. It is also a common requirement nowadays.
At Entry2Exit, we also provide a parking guidance system, which is the best in class, including top-of-the-line sensors with the best LED lights with high visibility to provide the fastest and easiest way to help the drivers find free parking spots.
Parking guidance systems can be installed in multi-level car parking buildings, single-level parking lots, or even outdoor parking lots with the sensors placed on the floor rather than on the roof or the ceiling.
We also offer a parking mobile application for both parking management systems and guidance systems where the drivers can find their car easily by typing in their number plate.
There are cases where customers want only one system – either a parking management system or a parking guidance system – but we always recommend them to install both the systems together to have the complete parking experience. The parking management system will take care of the operations and the revenue collection. The parking guidance system acts as an extra layer of assistance for increasing the customer satisfaction and to reduce congestion in parking lots.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I install a parking management system without a parking guidance system?
Yes, you can install either system independently. However, we recommend installing both systems together for the best results. The parking management system handles operations and revenue collection, while the parking guidance system improves customer experience by helping drivers find spots quickly.
2. How much does it cost to install these systems?
The cost varies depending on the size of your parking lot, the number of parking spaces, and the features you need. A small parking lot with 50 spaces will cost significantly less than a multi-level facility with 500+ spaces. Contact us for a customized quote based on your specific requirements.
3. Do parking guidance systems work in outdoor parking lots?
Yes, parking guidance systems can be installed in outdoor parking lots. For outdoor installations, the sensors are typically placed on the floor rather than overhead. These sensors are designed to withstand weather conditions like rain, sun, and snow.
4. What happens if the ANPR camera fails to read a number plate?
If the ANPR camera cannot read a number plate due to dirt, damage, or poor visibility, most systems have a backup option. This can include manual entry by staff, a ticket-based system, or the ability for drivers to enter their number plate through a keypad or mobile app.
5. Can I integrate the parking system with my existing payment methods?
Yes, parking management systems can integrate with various payment methods including credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, contactless payments, and even monthly subscription systems for regular users. Cash payment options can also be included if needed.
6. How do customers find their car using the mobile app?
Customers simply enter their number plate number into the mobile app, and the system will show them the exact location where their car is parked. This works when the parking guidance system has sensors with number plate recognition capability.
7. What kind of reports can I get from a parking management system?
You can get detailed reports including vehicle entry and exit times, number plates, parking duration, revenue collected, payment methods used, occupancy rates, peak hours, and much more. These reports are valuable for auditing, planning, and improving operations.
8. Do I need internet connectivity for these systems to work?
Most modern parking systems require internet connectivity for features like mobile apps, remote monitoring, and cloud-based reporting. However, the core functions like barrier operation and parking guidance can work offline, with data syncing when connectivity is restored.
9. How long does it take to install a complete parking system?
Installation time depends on the size and complexity of your parking facility. A small parking lot might take 1-2 weeks, while a large multi-level facility could take 4-8 weeks. This includes hardware installation, software configuration, testing, and staff training.
