The Bleeding Edge

A theme I believe would be of value if brought before vendors in the parking industry and is not terribly unique to just the parking industry is that Information Technology must take priority within their organizations. There are many leaders in this industry that lag grossly behind in software technology advancements that only handcuff parking organizations that have invested heavily in their hardware/software. Whether its providing interoperability (import, export, API, or interfaces), moving to current IT industry standards (IIS, web services, Oracle/MS SQL, Cloud Computing, Software as a Service), or providing PCI compliance, the simple fact is that vendors in the parking industry have not invested in IT to the detriment of themselves and their customers.

When was the last time you wrote a check shopping? How frustrated do you get when you cannot view a bill or an account online? There is a culture being established that is becoming an expectation of our customers that everything can and should be done from an internet connection (via laptop, desktop, iPhone, PDA, cellular device, etc). Parking organizations appear antiquated if they don’t have an “ebusiness” solution. The reality is that many parking organizations must purchase solutions from vendors rather than build their own due to their own lack of IT investment. The industry needs turnkey solutions developed specifically to meet the technology of the times and the expectations of the customers (both external and internal).

I understand there are some in the parking industry that have already seen the writing on the wall and are pioneering an effort forward in this respect (thanks T2 Systems). My hope is that others in the industry will take initiative to develop enterprise level systems that meet the needs of today as well as tomorrow.

Jeff Reed

Project Manager, PMP

The University of Texas at Austin