Synergy develops application behind smart parking machines

23 January 2004

Wellington City Council is starting a six-month trial of TXT-a-Park - New Zealand's first pay-and-display parking machine system that allows Vodafone customers to pay for parking via txt.

The service was developed by Synergy International Ltd, Cash Handling Systems and Vodafone New Zealand, in conjunction with the council.

The 18 trial machines allow users the choice of paying by mobile phone or cash, with mobile transactions being debited to the user's mobile phone account. The system has been designed to run on an ASP basis so that additional councils and new machines can be easily added.

Each company involved in the trial has played a unique role in getting the system ready for launch.

Cash Handling Systems, New Zealand's largest supplier of parking machines, has integrated a GPRS dial-up modem into the new generation machine that communicates directly with Synergy's application. Additional functionality allows remote machine monitoring and fault reporting in real time. Advantages for the council include the ability to configure the machine remotely, programme different messages and parking fees or waive fees altogether for special events.

The machines are a solid aluminium, vandal-resistant construction that run on solar/battery power. They have been designed to incorporate further payment options in the future including credit cards, notes and other card systems. They can also be configured to pay back change.

The parking application, built and hosted by Synergy, is based on IP developed by its Ericsson-Synergy joint venture. It has been designed to support access by multiple mobile operators and the intention with the Wellington trial, if successful, is to expand it to all mobile users.

Vodafone has configured its billing system to verify that the customer has available credit to make the payment while the transaction is underway. The Vodafone network supports the data communication between the machines and the application using GPRS technology.

Wellington City Council Parking Manager, Wayne Tacon, says the trial is the result of a truly collaborative effort between all the parties.

“We believe what makes it so special is the fact that usability has been kept extremely simple and we haven't had to change the work process for our parking wardens. With cash still being a payment option, we haven't limited the use of the machines for non-mobile phone users so they can still pay in the usual way.”

For further information, please contact:

Synergy International Ltd Caroline Dewe Ph 04 499 3000
Cash Handling Systems Mark Oliver Ph 09 415 6588 x 803
Vodafone New Zealand Ltd Sarah Williams Ph 021 928 125
Wellington City Council WayneTacon Ph 04 801 3513