Signature Control Systems will be at the Big Ten/Midwestern Universities Transportation and Parking Conference. Register Today to Join Us!
There has been quite a bit of hoopla in the news recently regarding the growing need for charging stations. In fact, electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations are being installed in parking garages, college campuses, and apartment complexes at an increasing rate. Just this past summer, Loyola University, installed its first EV charging stations in two of its campus parking areas. The EV charging stations are available to staff, faculty, students and campus visitors. According to Charlie Marshall, Loyola’s Director of Facilities System, “There’s the idea you charge from home, but just as people stop to put gas in their car, they’ll need to place a plug in.” This leads us to the economic model of supply and demand.
The more EV’s that are purchased, the more stress it puts on the Utility Distribution System, especially if EV owners have only one option of charging at home during peak hours (day/evening hours), as opposed to off-peak (overnight) hours. Communities will need electrical charging stations to lessen the stress on residential utilities. In addition, EV owners, such as college students or apartment/condo residents, who do not have access to a residential garage, cannot feasibly stretch electric cords out windows to charge their cars parked a block away.
There is a solution and it offers a revenue stream. Charging stations can easily be installed in public garages, parking lots, and apartment and condo complexes, at a relatively low cost. For example, a public garage purchases a charging station and installation for approximately $2,000-$3,000.00. The garage then sells EV owners a subscription and key that activates the charging station. An average EV driver expends approximately $600 a year in subscription fees, ensuring the garage significantly increases their annual revenue.
As Loyola’s Charlie Marshall so concisely sums it up, “There’s definitely going to be an increase on campus and off (in electrical vehicles). The technology increase is going to gain traction.” Knowing this and observing press’ reporting on the increase of the EV trend, it would be a wise move to jump on the “innovative electrical changing station train” before being pushed off the tracks for waiting too long to enter the market… a market that provides an essential service needed by communities and EV drivers.
Statistics prove that home burglaries increase during the summer. The warm weather draws everyone outside more, and people are more likely to leave their doors and windows open or forget to lock them when closing them. This time of year owning a security system is more important than ever; in fact, a study by Temple University showed that homes without security systems are three times more likely to be burglarized than a home with a security system.
Every home is unique and there is no “one size fits all” security system, so it is important to partner with a company that can design a custom system that will fit your specific needs. It is recommended that you interview no less than three security companies before making a decision on which company is right for your family.
Once your security system is installed it is important that you are trained on the features and use of the system. A security system is only part of your overall plan to protect you and your family. You still need to make sure to lock all doors and windows before leaving, make sure to stop newspaper and mail delivery if you’re leaving for an extended time, and have a friend or neighbor keep an eye on things while you are gone.
Finally make sure you advertise! Yard signs and window stickers are a great way to let potential burglars know you have taken additional measures to protect your home and family, making it more likely they will move on to look for an easier target. For more information see our page on security systems to find out what security system is best for your home and family.
Managing the parking operation at a public venue can be challenging, you need to be able to efficiently park cars and provide quality customer service while keeping control of your revenue.
Signature Controls Systems offers a variety of solutions to help you meet your goals, including ZipPark.
Some of the features and benefits of ZipPark include:
-Wireless parking and revenue control
-Option to pre-sell parking online with partners like Click and Park
- Handhelds that allow for payment by cash, credit card, & pre-pay; as well as printing receipts on demand
-Real-Time credit card processing in the lane
-Integration with Facility Management Software
ZipPark is completely customizable to to fit your specific application, and is a great ROI solution to reduce your payroll.
For more information on ZipPark, or any of our other technology solutions for parking, please visit our parking and revenue page.
Digital Payment Technology’s Luke appears on Entourage. Contact us to to maximize your on-street parking potential.
Link to the Original Blog Post: http://tangramdesign.com/blog/2010/10/digital-payment-parking-meter-gets-star-treatment/
Signature Control Systems is pleased to be celebrating our 24th year in business!
On July 2, 1987, Dan Floyd, Kevin Winholt, and Larry DeRusha opened the doors of Signature Control Systems. Faces have changed and technology is constantly advancing, but one thing that has stayed the same is Signature Controls commitment of excellence to our customers, vendors and employees. Signature Controls has continued to grow and thrive since 1987, and if you have been a part of that success over the years, we thank you.
If you are looking for a company “Where Technology Meets Solutions,” please browse our website or contact us for more information.
Signature Control Systems is now offering new Pay-In-Lane signage for Federal APD equipment. Help your customers have an easier, more enjoyable parking experience. For more information contact us today!
History
Since 1987, Signature Control Systems LLC, a premier systems integrator in the parking industry headquartered in Blacklick, Ohio, has been a Federal APD distributor. Back then, Dan Floyd, the founder of Signature Controls, was given the opportunity to sell for Federal APD in Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. After much success in these two areas the company eventually expanded to include the major cities in Ohio (Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland) and became the authorized Federal APD distributor in the states of Ohio and West Virginia. A decision was made to focus on these areas and Signature Controls left the Kentucky market. Signature Controls has been recognized as Federal APD’s “Top Distributor in North America” ten times since 1989.
Fast forward nearly 25 Years
The incredible market share that Signature holds in Ohio, along with their robust business model allows the company to consider expansion opportunities. A few years back, they entered the Huntington, WV market when they were selected to install the parking system in the large Pullman Square complex. The next step in this growth process is now at hand as Signature returns to Louisville, where it formed its roots in 1987.
Signature Control Systems is excited to once again be serving customers in Louisville. While the city has become a technical, distribution and healthcare hub in recent years, parking systems are generally older and Signature is poised to help bring their products up to the standards of what is available today. There have been many new updates in the revenue control software and hardware which will radically change the financial structure and options for parking garages, helping them to earn better profits.
It is all about Customer Service
The focus of Signature Control Systems is 100% on the customer and this can be seen in their Sales/Relationship approach. The company constantly seeks feedback from their customers and using that feedback to relentlessly update their procedures and commitment to those who rely on their parking systems to maximize revenues.
Signature Controls employees understand they are the liaison between the customer and the manufacturer. Their company helps the customer understand the products released by the manufacturer, and they help the manufacturer understand what the customers’ issues are and how the products can make the garage manager or owner more effective. This two-way feedback is an invaluable service that can not be overestimated.
An important facet of the customer service challenge is the dedication to product repair that Signature Controls knows its customers demand. The company started a repair service, now known as the “Depot Repair Center”, which is committed to having equipment repairs done in five days rather than waiting for products to be shipped to and from the manufacturer. This business segment originally was formed to handle repairs for Signature’s customers but now handles repairs for distributors throughout the United States.
Recent Projects
In Cincinnati, Ohio there is a large development downtown near the Ohio River, called The Banks, which includes the Cincinnati Bengals Football & Reds Baseball stadiums along with an entertainment center known as “The Underground Railroad”. The various buildings in the complex are being linked with an underground parking garage containing 3,000 parking spaces which will also service restaurants, retail stores and condominiums, meaning the parking area is mixed use. The entire revenue control system has been designed to be flexible: as pay-on-entry or as pay-on-exit, depending on the function. The facility has to handle event parking as well as daily parkers and long term parkers. Signature Control Systems was brought in to convert the facility and opened it on March 14, 2011 with full deployment of the event system for the Reds’ first home baseball game.
It is obvious from the customer service, complexity of projects and the understanding of customer needs that Signature Control Systems can provide the services that their customers need. We believe the Louisville parking and business community will enjoy having them back.
See the following article @ www.parkingtoday.com
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