Ask any driver to identify a part of driving that makes them crazy and one answer will invariably be searching for parking. The idea of circling city streets, scanning every available space for a spot that just isn’t there is frustrating, as anyone can attest. But that exasperated feeling is not the only cost to you, the city you’re in or the environment as a whole. Think about the stress caused by arriving at your destination but being unable to actually “get there” because of being stuck in a seemingly never-ending cycle searching for a space. In fact, a study measuring Americans’ frustratio ..read more

As humans, we classify spaces largely into two categories: those that inspire us -- that emotionally fulfill us -- and meet a practical need, and in contrast, those that are simply functional, that serve a purpose. Often, parking garages fall into the second category. They meet a real and tangible need, but do not emotionally appeal to visitors, encourage patronage or create any real connection. They are bare and blank and barely worthy of attention. But as locations we must all pass through in order to reach destinations that fulfill our wider needs, why can’t parking garages be more? Why can ..read more

When Sir Francis Bacon first penned the phrase 'knowledge is power' in the late 1500s, we can be fairly certain -- given horses were still the preferred method of transport -- he wasn't talking about the wonders of data-driven parking guidance. And yet, though he could never have predicted it, these words could not be more relevant to parking, especially in its current transformational state, more than 400 years later. What he did know, was regardless of field or focus, the more knowledge we have; the more information we can draw from and consider in any given situation, the more likely it is ..read more

The term Smart City usually conjures up images of uber-modern cityscapes with self-driving cars, pristine streets and smooth, silent transportation. Whilst this may be true for some of the newer cities popping up around the world, some of the biggest changes can actually happen in the places that have been part of our lives for decades. The technology that makes cities really smart doesn’t even change the way they look, so we’re not going to end up living in a Blade-Runner type neon metropolis anytime soon. As always, the smartest technologies aren’t the ones which are immediately obvious, but ..read more

From television programs to video games, popular media has always tried to predict what the future will hold for personal transport. And while many people fixate on futuristic vehicles, some of us know, in fact, another important part of reaching a cleaner and more convenient future is being able to quickly find a parking space close to our destination. Parking is changing, and for parking garage operators, this evolution will be a key driver of business growth.    Flying cars have always been a part of our vision of the future. And why shouldn't they be? In the 1980s and early 1990s, we flo ..read more

In the modern world, change is the only constant. The newest technologies are self-accelerating in that they use tools from the previous round of innovation to develop even faster. Staying on top of this rapid and constant technological evolution can be tricky, but the benefits are definitely rewarding. Here to help are five tech trends and tools we think businesses should keep track of to stay ready and relevant for the inevitable changes to come.   Big Data fortune teller In your future, I see… more customers! Across indu ..read more

Parking garages can be rather difficult to advertise. The buildings themselves tend to be functional, and often hidden as part of a larger complex of buildings. You have to rely on the street signs pointing to a parking garage, but hope drivers choose yours over the other options available. Much of the time that’s what determines whether you can get people using your parking garages – location, hope, and a little bit of luck. The question is, what can you do to make your parking garage stand out? The key is to connect with the local area. If people don’t know where you are, or what you offer ..read more

It’s widely understood that between now and 2050, approximately six billion people will be living in urban environments. That’s three-quarters of the entire population of the planet living in cities. The sheer scope of issues, such as pollution, cost of living and traffic congestion, created by those numbers is staggering. How we transform our cities from the centuries-old model to modern versions that accept that these changes are happening will define how we live. The key is focusing on smart transformations to ease the burden on present and future cities. One such transformation is the digi ..read more

Fridges that order food for you. Lights that switch on and off automatically when you’re on holiday so it looks like someone’s home. Voice activated AI systems that can answer almost any question you might have immediately, as well as managing phone calls phone calls and playing you your favourite playlists. In the not-too-distant past, this would’ve sounded like a fantasy from a sci-fi novel, but this tech is all available now, and is becoming more commonplace in the home. This is mainly due to the rise of Internet of Things, which involves the connection of everyday items and objects to the ..read more

Our world is changing. People and businesses create, store and share huge amounts of information every day, and every day that amount grows bigger – as does the risk of that data being misused. Protecting personal data is the basis of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that will go into effect 25 May 2018 across the European Union (EU). We’ve listed the most salient points here to help you understand what it means for your business so you can prepare for the new operating realities to come.  What is the GDPR exac ..read more