Parking can be a serious headache for both operators and customers. For parking managers, the challenges often begin long before a car pulls into the parking facility. Consider a newly opened parking garage. Despite extensive preparation, the facility may experience low occupancy due to a lack of awareness. Vehicles often circulate the area searching for available parking in nearby, full lots. Insufficient communication between the garage and potential customers leads to a suboptimal customer experience. This is a common problem in parking operations, but it doesn’t have to be. Parking management systems can help eliminate the guesswork for drivers looking for a place to park by streamlining operations and improving customer and staff experience. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of parking management software, how it works, and what to look for when choosing the right solution for your facility.
If you’re looking for a way to improve the smoothness of your parking operation, Parqour’s parking management software can help you shift your parking operation into top gear. This powerful tool simplifies parking operations, improves the customer experience, and enables you to achieve your goals.
What Is Parking Management Software?
Parking management software, also known as parking management systems, helps automate parking operations. These solutions help car park operators:
Monitor and control parking occupancy
Streamline payments
Manage permits
What Are the Key Features of Parking Management Systems?
Parking management systems help car park owners automate the management of their parking facilities. They accomplish this via several key features, including:
Payments
Most parking management systems allow drivers to pay for parking via a digital app. This means payments can be automated, reducing the time spent on manual transactions.
Monitoring And Enforcement
The software tracks occupancy in real-time, allowing car park operators to:
Monitor how their facility is being used
Identify any issues
Access Control
Parking management systems can integrate with hardware like gates and barriers to control who can access the car park.
Reporting
These systems come with detailed reporting features that provide car park owners with useful insights about their operations.
These components work together to ensure that only authorized vehicles can enter a parking facility and that all vehicles are accounted for when they leave. Access control systems can be integrated with other smart parking technologies, such as:
Parking guidance systems
Security and surveillance components to create a cohesive and efficient parking management system
2. Discovering the Benefits of Parking Guidance Systems
Parking guidance systems help drivers locate available parking spaces quickly and efficiently. To achieve this, the technology uses sensors typically installed in each parking space to detect whether a space is occupied or available.
Data collected by these sensors is relayed to digital signage throughout the parking facility and, in some cases, to mobile apps that provide parking information to drivers before arriving at the facility. This eliminates the need for drivers to cruise the aisles of a parking facility:
Looking for open spaces
Reducing congestion
Improving the overall customer experience
Increasing the facility's safety
3. An Inside Look at Payment and Revenue Management Systems
Payment and revenue management systems streamline the processes of:
Collecting parking fees
Managing operational revenue
Payment Channels
These systems typically include:
Pay stations
Mobile apps
Online portals to facilitate contactless, convenient payment options for both parking operators and customers
Customers can use mobile apps to pay for parking before arriving at, entering, or even leaving a facility to eliminate time spent at pay stations. Revenue management features use data on parking transactions to help operators make informed business decisions.
4. Enhancing Security With Surveillance and Monitoring Technology
Security is a significant concern for parking facility operators and the customers who use their lots. Surveillance and monitoring technology helps alleviate these worries by deterring crime and providing valuable data in the event of an incident. Security components include:
IP cameras
intercom systems
access control devices
These tools can be integrated with smart parking systems for remote monitoring and control. A parking facility operator can view live feeds from security cameras on their mobile device from anywhere.
5. The Role of Data Management and Reporting in Parking Operations
Data management systems collect, store, and analyze data related to parking operations. These systems generate reports and provide actionable insights that help managers improve overall performance. Smart parking systems track real-time data on:
Parking management systems operate like a brain for parking lots and garages. They collect data on parking patterns and help manage usage in real time for optimal efficiency. With this data, parking management systems can identify the busiest times in your parking lot or garage.
They can also tell you how many spaces are available to help improve traffic flow. Relying on real-time data, these systems can help optimize parking lot usage so that there are always enough parking spaces available for customers and guests.
2. Plan for Future Usage
The data that parking management systems provide gives you a way to plan. Instead of determining when your lot or garage tends to be full, you can look over the data your system offers. This information can help you plan for future usage.
To accommodate business growth over the years, you should create additional parking spaces or change the layout of your parking facility.
3. Reduce Maintenance Costs
Older equipment often has higher maintenance costs and decreases parking efficiency. Outdated gates or barriers may break down more. Replacing this equipment with an updated parking management system, including automatic barrier gates and other technologies, helps lower maintenance costs.
4. Increase Revenue
Better safety and security are among the top parking management benefits. Customers using your parking structure want peace of mind about leaving their vehicles parked there. They also want to be able to walk through your parking facility without any safety concerns.
Valet parking services and other parking management services help improve security in your parking facility. This reduces the risk of:
Accidents
Theft
Property damage
Other safety issues
5. Enhance Security
One of the best parking management benefits for staff and customers is the ability to improve security and safety. Using a parking management system means having access to real-time information and updates about your parking facility. You can keep track of who comes and goes at what times.
Security Measures
You can restrict access as needed to help reduce the risk of:
Property damage
Vandalism
Theft
Other incidents
Keep in mind that having reduced traffic flow with a parking management system also lowers the risk of accidents and injuries.
6. Improve Sustainability
The use of a parking management system can help reduce your parking facility’s carbon footprint. Keeping traffic flowing instead of having cars idling or circling around looking for spots helps reduce carbon emissions.
A smart parking management system makes it easy to ensure that customers or guests can quickly find a parking spot, no matter how busy your parking lot or garage is.
1. Intelligent Parking Management Software: The Brains Behind Smart Parking
One of the many types of parking management systems is Intelligent parking management software, which uses cameras and sensors to efficiently and effectively guide motorists to find parking.
These systems are highly effective during peak hours but can be expensive and may be underutilized during off hours.
2. RFID Parking Systems: The Convenient Parking Solution
RFID parking systems, with RFID standing for Radio Frequency Identification, use tags on vehicles and readers, allowing authorized parkers to enter the parking facility and park.
RFID parking systems include automation and are relatively inexpensive but require all authorized vehicles to be fitted with a tag.
3. Robotic Parking Systems: The Future of Parking?
Robotic parking systems use integrated robotics and automation to park cars quickly and efficiently, without the need for humans, but are very expensive to:
Construct
Maintain
In many cases, they can also require a large building footprint, making them unsuitable for specific locations.
4. AutoPay Parking Systems: The Less Stressful Way to Park
An AutoPay parking system is a cheap solution that uses cameras and software to bill parkers automatically after they use the parking facility. To use these systems, however, prior registration on the consumer’s end is required.
5. Integrated Systems: The Smart Choice for Modern Parking
Integrated parking management systems combine sensors and software to bill and maintain records for parked vehicles seamlessly and can easily use existing infrastructure.
Smart cities across the country recognize that integrating advanced technological solutions into their parking infrastructure is key to improving the customer experience.
How Parking Management Software Works
Parking management software is a technology that simplifies parking for managers and users. It can be used in different types of facilities, from commercial to residential and even on-street parking. The software can be integrated with existing systems or operated independently to enhance parking operations. Here is how Parking Management Software works in a typical parking scenario:
Entry Point Access
When a vehicle approaches a parking facility, the software captures data to identify the vehicle. This process can be done via a gate controlled by the software, or it may be automated via a sensor installed at the entry or exit point.
If the parking facility manages access via a gate, the vehicle will either be issued a ticket or granted immediate access based on the software’s license plate recognition. The latter scenario is common when a pre-booking system is in place, and the driver’s information is already stored in the software.
Space Availability Detection
Once the vehicle enters the parking facility, the parking management software begins working to help the driver find a parking space quickly. It tracks and monitors the vehicle until it locates an available space or the driver selects a spot.
The driver will typically be guided to space via digital signage or an indicator light on the space itself. This process helps reduce congestion and improves the overall user experience.
Payment Processing
After the driver has parked their vehicle, the next step is payment. Parking management software streamlines this process by tracking the vehicle's length in the facility and calculating the fee. When the driver is ready to leave, they can pay at a kiosk, online, or via an app before exiting the facility.
The software also enables contactless payments, which have become increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This process enhances the user experience and improves security by reducing the amount of cash handled by parking staff.
Data Collection
One of parking management software's most exciting features is its data collection ability. The software tracks and records vehicle information, including:
The time of entry
Duration of stay
Location within the facility
In the case of a commercial parking operation, this data is precious for business analytics. It can help identify trends, such as peak hours, and provide insight into customer behavior to improve:
Overall operations
Revenue
Analytics
Parking management software collects data and helps managers interpret it. It is equipped with reports and dashboards that provide visual representations of the information collected.
This can help parking operators quickly identify areas that need attention, such as abnormal trends or occupancy levels.
24 Best Parking Management Software Vendors
1. Parqour
Parqour is a software platform that simplifies parking operations and improves the customer experience. It offers:
Real-time data
Automated plate recognition
Contactless payments
We operate in more than 22 countries, 300+ parking areas, and have detected over 100M+ vehicles. Parqour offers a comprehensive end-to-end management platform to:
Increase revenue
Reduce operational cost
Enhance transparency
Solution Overview
Put an end to piecing together different vendors and integrations. No need to spend huge capital on bulky hardware. Control all operations from one platform. Contactless parking and online payment methods also make the parking experience more accessible for your customers. The result:
Higher utilization
Lower operating costs
99,6% license plate recognition rate
Online QR payment & 3rd party APIs (integrated with Parkmobile, SpotHero, Honk, PayByPhone)
Data analytics (real-time occupancy, revenue, utilization, parking trends)
Validation and permit management (free flow access for approved drivers)
24/7 remote control system
Hardware with zero upfront costs
Zoning and violation detection (control POD, VIP, and nested zones)
Vev’s free parking management platform does a great job of combining function and simplicity. With its versatile, user-friendly booking and payment tools and the fact that it’s absolutely free,
Vev is the best parking management software for anyone who wants to improve efficiencies at their business without having to navigate a complex system or make a large, up-front investment.
3. Parkable
Parkable is a purpose-built booking and admin system for commercial or staff parking facilities. It has several features to simplify administration and reduce the need for manual intervention.
The occupancy and utilization analytics suites included in the software help you make more informed decisions, making Parkable one of the best parking management software choices for business owners who want to continuously improve their service.
4. Wayleadr
Wayleadr is a purpose-built parking management platform with separate product versions for at-office parking, truck stops, and more. In addition to the booking and occupancy tools, Wayleadr offers a booking and management system specifically for EV charging stations.
This makes it one of the best parking software options for business owners who want to embrace the shift toward electric vehicles.
5. WPS
WPS prides itself on the versatility offered through the WPS Marketplace. The platform partners with several mobile parking apps, including RingGo and ParkBee, to facilitate easier-paid parking for a broader customer base.
This makes it one of the best parking management software choices for businesses that want to migrate from a third-party app as easily as possible.
6.AirGarage
AirGarage’s parking platform provides a user-friendly booking and management solution designed to optimize traffic and revenue at your parking lot while decreasing overheads and admin.
The option for adding license plate recognition makes it one of the best parking management software choices for business owners who are concerned about:
Parking infringements
Security
7. Premium Parking
Premium Parking offers users access to a fully cloud-based, “gateless” parking management system. In this system, you can rent your parking spaces either on-demand, in advance, or as part of a monthly subscription.
This makes it one of the best parking management software solutions for business owners who want to keep their parking facility flexible and appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
8. Tidaro
Tidaro, formerly known as Parkanizer, is a parking platform designed for long-term use and facilitating parking based on customer accounts' needs.
Although it’s designed for employee parking management, the platform can be easily repurposed for commercial use and is one of the best parking management software choices for:
Long-term
Recurring parking rentals
9. Parqex
ParqEx is a cloud-based parking management software that helps real estate agents, security agencies, property managers, builders, and homeowner associations (HOA) locate and reserve parking spots.
The application lets users book parking spaces for their guests and provides parking access to guests before their arrival.
10. Skedda
Skedda is a leading global desk management and hybrid work platform, serving over 12,000 customers and nearly two million users, including:
IBM
Siemens
Mercedes-Benz
Harvard University
We are defining the future of the workplace experience, helping businesses design meaningful, seamless, fully integrated employee experiences and interactions in the hybrid workplace. Skedda integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and more and has won awards from
G2
Capterra
SoftwareAdvice
11. ParkSimple
iParkSimple is a cloud-based parking management solution that allows businesses to manage their parking operations. It lets users access several elements of their parking bookings, such as
Active
Upcoming
History
Individuals can select the location where and how long they parked and add relevant notes about their experience. The parking details will automatically be saved on the application, and users can continue to manage their parking history.
12. Parklio Parking Management System
Parklio Smart Parking Barriers are smartphone-controlled parking barriers that prevent unauthorized use of a parking place, giving users control and simplifying their parking area.
The solution can protect specific parking spaces, manage large parking lots and garages, or implement the entire smart city solution.
13. Gtechna
gtechna is an artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-enabled transportation and parking management solution that helps universities, parking authorities, colleges, municipalities, medical facilities, and police departments streamline law enforcement processes. Administrators can monitor officers' activities, visualize causal or correlative relationships, and gain visibility into data patterns using heatmaps.
14. Parkade
Parkade is a smart parking management software for:
Apartments
Condos
Offices
It offers a range of technical features to:
Improve security
Streamline operations
Boost capacity
Increase revenue
15. Flex Parking
Flex Parking is an intuitive and simple platform for managing your team's car parking. It aims to simplify the office manager's life and significantly reduce the time it takes to manage this resource in your office.
The built-in fair use setting allows you to tailor how parks are allocated based on your unique team and environment.
16. Parkit.direc
Parkit.direct brings you powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use tools to manage and share your workplace parking spaces. Increase the capacity of your workplace parking with:
Reservations and sharing
Invitations for visitors
App for garage access
17. Passport
Passport envisions a world where paying to park is simple, and users can choose how to pay digitally through the Passport Parking app or other apps. When you select Passport for your mobile pay parking solution, you can access our leading mobile app for parking payments.
You can also unlock an open parking ecosystem and enable parking payments in:
Connected cars
Mapping apps
18. SpotHero
A web-based parking mobility solution that enables individuals and businesses in the automotive, navigation, rental, and other industries to manage:
Vehicle spot reservations
Receipts
19. Parkalot
Parkalot becomes your parking peacemaker, eliminating the stress and frustration of finding a spot. Its intuitive reservation system lets employees book spaces in advance, ensuring they arrive:
Calm
Focused
Sustainable Parking
Dynamic space allocation and guest management tools streamline parking flow while real-time updates keep everyone informed. It integrates seamlessly with:
Electric vehicle charging stations
Carpooling initiatives
Bike parking management
Encourage eco-friendly choices, reduce emissions, and promote a responsible parking culture within your organization. You can manage parking efficiently while contributing to a greener future.
20. T2 Systems
T2 Systems redefines Parking Management Software with a robust suite of features. It takes the helm as your compliance captain, ensuring you easily navigate permit management, access control, and enforcement. Its comprehensive features:
Track permits
Automate violations
Generate detailed reports, keeping you compliant and reducing the risk of penalties
Simplify your operations, streamline enforcement, and stay ahead of evolving regulations with T2 Systems. It specializes in creating tailor-made parking solutions for:
Municipalities
Universities
Commercial enterprises
It also provides a flexible platform that adapts to diverse parking needs.
21. VersionX
VersionX parking management system is an integrated smart parking system that automates end-to-end parking processes. In addition to the parking management system, it also provides:
A building management system
Facial recognition for attendance (visitor, staff, laborer, vendor, and material management)
Gate pass
Smart parking systems
Access control
Biometrics
Preventive maintenance
AMC
Facility management
Guard tour
Inventory
Keys
Mailroom management
They have the experience and expertise to handle small to very large operations. They also advise companies on:
Industry best practices
Operational excellence
Compliance
Loss prevention
Risk mitigation
22. EVA Check-in
VA Check-in is a trusted, secure, contactless check-in solution for people who enter your premises. It also manages shared and allocated car parking for staff and visitors across all your offices, sites, and locations from a single, easy-to-use dashboard.
Administrators can generate and display site-specific QR codes to facilitate contactless check-in. EVA Check-in encrypts collected data and deletes visitors’ information after a specific time.
23. Reliant Parking
Reliant Parking is a cloud-based parking and permit management solution for apartment communities, HOAs, student housing, and other buildings that require parking management. Residents can seamlessly register their vehicle information, order property-specific permits, and self-manage and order guest permits anytime.
With $0 set-up costs, little to no budget impact, a dramatically reduced workload for property managers, and a streamlined parking permit process for residents, Reliant’s online parking permit management software offers immediate benefits to:
Apartment communities
HOAs
Hotels
Education facilities
Hospitals
24. SecurePark
SecurePark offers software-as-a-service parking management solutions to help organizations achieve the following:
Optimal parking enforcement
Compliance.
Leveraging the latest smart technologies, they provide simple, reliable, and cost-effective tools designed to make enforcement and violation management easier. SecurePark’s software was built to streamline the parking challenges many organizations face daily.
From a thousand-stall parking garage to a single visitor stall, their suite of advanced parking features is easily adaptable to support businesses of all sizes.
How to Choose the Best Parking Management System for Your Business
Every business is unique, with different parking needs corresponding with varying parking assets. Some businesses have small lots and are looking to optimize their parking profitability on a smaller scale. Others require larger-scale parking infrastructure, potentially spanning:
Multiple lots
Locations
Customizing parking management systems for your operations is paramount to successful:
Optimization
Improvement
Integrate Parking Systems for Better Data and Operations
For businesses with multiple parking assets, integrating parking systems is essential for:
Optimizing each asset
Maximizing what you have
Integrating lots and locations enables businesses to tailor each lot and deck to their specific needs and better monitor their assets to ensure:
Customer satisfaction
Maximization
Choose Intuitive Parking Management Software
Parking management systems must be easy to run and operate to provide value to their customers. If a parking management system is needlessly complex or not optimized for human use, a lot may be worse off than before the system's addition.
Look for Dynamic Pricing Options
Many parking management systems do not offer dynamic pricing options, which adjust pricing on parking plans based on:
Real-time data
Trends
Demand-based pricing can provide customized options for the consumer and, in turn, maximize revenue.
Don’t Overlook Customer Support
Even with a highly optimized parking management system, customer support is essential to assist when needed. Having customer support to solve technical issues and address customer concerns provides an important backup to a finely tuned management system.
Simplify Your Parking Operations and Improve Your Customer Experience with Parqour -Book A Free Demo Today
Parqour is a parking management software that simplifies operations and improves the customer experience. The platform operates in over 22 countries and 300+ parking areas and has detected over 100M+ vehicles. The result is:
Higher utilization
Lower operating costs
How Does Parqour Work?
Parqour uses real-time data and automation to enhance parking operations. The software’s automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology allows for contactless parking experiences that don’t require customers to pull a ticket or pay a cashier.
Instead, vehicles are scanned as they enter and exit the facility, and customers pay online before returning to their vehicle or using a contactless method onsite. This streamlines operations and enhances the customer experience for parking operators and their customers.
How Can Parqour Benefit Your Business?
Parqour offers a comprehensive end-to-end management platform to:
Increase revenue
Reduce operational costs
Enhance transparency
Unified Platform
Put an end to piecing together:
Different vendors
Integrations
There’s no need to spend huge capital on bulky hardware. Control all operations from one platform. Contactless parking and online payment methods make the parking experience easier for your customers, too.