Successful beta-test of new system for New Forest District Council provides operators with a unique range of network options
Parkeon Limited (formerly Schlumberger e-City) has successfully beta-tested its Parkfolio(tm) software using the general packet radio service (GPRS) wireless data network to centrally monitor Pay & Display (P&D) parking terminals supplied to New Forest District Council (NFDC) in Hampshire. The council has recently installed a total of 57 Parkeon Stelio(tm) P&D terminals in car parks in six major market towns, as well as other locations, throughout the county.
"With this latest development, Parkeon is the only parking equipment supplier in the UK that is able to offer operators the choice of the GSM mobile phone, GPRS and Transcomm wireless data networks with which to centralise control of their P&D systems," states Arthur Crossley, the Company's UK Sales Manager - Parking. "The GPRS network will help reduce both the initial set-up and on-going running costs of centralisation."
"We chose the GPRS solution because we wanted to be sure of an effective and continuous signal over a large geographic area, extensive parts of which are heavily-wooded," explains John Bull, NFDC's car park manager.
The council has installed a 50/50 mix of solar and mains-powered P&D terminals. "We had some initial reservations about the ability of the alternative power supply coping with the number of tickets that would be issued in our busy car parks," adds John Bull. "Basically, this concern has proved to be unfounded, as the solar machines are working so well. They're very convenient to install, too."
NFDC has also opted for Parkeon's financial and statistical software to analyse data generated by the P&D teminals to help plan and develop its parking facilities. The information is downloaded from the Stelios, via Jumbo hand-held terminals, through an infra-red connection. "This will make it easy to identify parking patterns and ticket sales, enabling us to develop pricing policies on an informed basis," says John Bull.
The latest version of the Parkfolio centralisation software is able to handle data transmitted by any combination of the GSM, GPRS and Transcomm wireless data networks. This enables parking managers to make the best use of the communications solutions available to them, taking into account operational, geographic and financial criteria. It also allows them to view alerts and warnings of service and maintenance requirements generated by their P&D terminals - as well as comprehensive financial and statistical data on the performance of their installations - via a password-protected website. Instead of printing reports, the information is viewed on-screen and can then be downloaded to PCs for future reference.
About Parkeon (website: www.parkeon.com)
Parkeon was formerly Schlumberger e-City, the Parking and Ticketing Systems division of Schlumberger. The Company was at the forefront of the development of Pay & Display terminals in the 1970s and has 30 years of proven innovation and expertise in the parking business.
Today, Parkeon is a leader in parking systems and equipment. The Company employs over 800 people worldwide and generated revenues of €122 million in 2003.
With an installed base in excess of 120,000 machines, its parking terminals are a familiar sight in 3,000 cities across 40 countries and its Pay & Display systems control over 3 million parking spaces around the world. Over the last 15 years, Parkeon has developed an installed base of 3,000 ticket vending machines for heavy and light rail, underground and multimodal transport operators in Europe, notably Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
Thanks to world-class engineers and substantial investments over the last three years, Parkeon has built undeniable technological leadership in its field. Parkeon provides complete parking and fare collection solutions, equipment and services to municipalities, car park and mass transit operators.
Stelio and Parkfolio are marks of Parkeon.
Parkeon Limited, Membrain House, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7PP, U.K.
Tel: 01202 850927 Fax: 01202 850903 Web: www.parkeon.com
Transcomm website: www.transcomm.uk.com
Parkeon Press Contact: Terry Walsby
Terry Walsby Media Relations
Tel: 01628 639378
Fax: 01628 777605
E-mail: terry.walsby@btconnect.com
