Throughout this series, we have discussed the impact of the digital parking future on customers and operations overall. But the impact it will have on employees is extensive as well.

Over the past couple of years, organizations have faced significant staffing issues. Lockdowns reduced if not eliminated parking demand. Even as communities re-opened, it has been difficult to find available workers, or the ability to hire has been limited by reduced budgets.

The digitalization of parking operations will help support organizations struggling to maintain a successful workforce, while helping employees more effectively perform their duties. For instance, streamlining enforcement and eliminating items such as hang tags and permits will reduce the time parking staff must spend confirming valid parkers. The technologies available now will immediately alert them if someone is parked illegally.

Further, mobile payments reduce or eliminate the need for cashiers at gates. This allows existing parking staff to focus on higher and better tasks like customer service, security, and identification of maintenance needs. It will also free them up to respond to any needs more quickly.

Digital parking solutions are increasingly improving the way parking owners and operators do business, especially when it comes to staff utilization and management. Additional examples of how this will impact parking staff in the future include:

• Automating valet tasks and reducing valet workload.
• Reducing manual work through aggregator and sales channel management.
• More efficient customer support through customer self-service systems including reservations, permits, monthly accounts, etc.
• Marketing automation and analytics reducing work associated with marketing and sales including pricing surveys, market analyses, etc.
• Human resources automation reducing time spent on payroll and benefits management, employee time tracking, etc.
• Vendor-provided technology management and upgrades, reducing in-house maintenance.

Digital solutions allow organizations focus more on the ultimate goal of serving customers while helping to streamline their procedures, increase revenues, and implement cutting edge technologies with little upfront cost or disruption in their operations.

Check out the ParkEngage Touchless Parking, Aggregator and Channel Management, and ALPR solutions to learn more about how we can partner with your operation to meet your unique needs.