Parking management comes in a few different forms: expansion of existing space, valet parking and automated tools like ticketed entry typically come to mind.
Each of those solutions have their issues. Building additional parking isn’t always an option when space and funds are limited, plus the majority of venues already have adequate space. Valet parking requires labor costs and additional employees to manage. Ticketed entry isn’t always appropriate, especially when dealing with a privately-owned lot in a corporate or residential complex.
It’s no wonder that parking management software is gaining more attention. These sensor-driven systems self-identify open spots and direct drivers right where they need to go to park – all without adding existing employees or building more parking spaces.
This autonomous system is what caught the eye of Colgate-Palmolive executives in 2015. The personal care products giant’s general contractor reached out to Kyosis to formulate a game plan that would properly manage employee and visitor parking at its Piscataway, N.J. headquarters. The result was a smoothly-managed, easy-to-operate system which alleviated parking issues during a time of campus expansion.
Analysis, installation and results
Colgate-Palmolive’s campus was in the midst of major renovations when Kyosis was called. The company’s Morristown, N.J. location was merging with its Piscataway headquarters, bringing an influx of new employees — and cars — with it. At the same time, Colgate-Palmolive was experiencing issues with “bunching” at the entrance of the garage, falsely signaling to employees and visitors that there were no spots left in the 589-space garage.
Kyosis got straight to work with a parking needs assessment, observing how the garage is used and noting how a parking guidance solution would best meet these and future needs. The entire garage was analyzed during this process, from space dimension and layout to the size of the entrance. Kyosis provided periodic updates to Colgate-Palmolive during this process, incorporating the company’s feedback into a final plan.
The end result was a hybrid solution which combined a space guidance system with a level guidance system. Level guidance signs, with a master board customized with the Colgate-Palmolive logo, indicated how many spots were left on each level of the garage. Low voltage LED lights were installed down the driving lanes of the first two floors to clearly identify each open spot – green for available and red for taken. A ground floor electrical room contains all the controls and operating software for security to access and use when necessary.
When it came time for installation, Kyosis operated in a non-intrusive manner. A small number of spots were closed off at a time, providing Kyosis with an uninhibited work space without impeding the parking needs for Colgate-Palmolive employees. Any invasive work was completed over the weekend.
Soon after the parking management system’s launch, issues of entrance-bunching and navigation cleared up and employees and visitors alike sang its praises to facility managers.
What Colgate-Palmolive’s Experience Means For Your Business
For Colgate-Palmolive, a parking management system provided by Kyosis solved the company’s biggest parking woes. The level and space guidance system brought drivers directly to open spots, eliminating the overcrowding at the garage entrance which caused confusion for employees and visitors alike.
The parking management system came with an extra perk: added security. One of Colgate-Palmolive’s priorities for security is knowing who is in the building at all times. Kyosis’s parking management system made that job much easier. With one quick glance, security staff could see the number of cars in the lot, and easy-to-navigate software could pull up security footage from the garage’s entrance and exit when needed.
For companies, contractors, municipality officials and security teams, Colgate-Palmolive’s experience has some important takeaways. First, the customization and scalability of the system can outfit any size garage or parking lot. Second, installation respects the business’s operating hours, going to great lengths to keep as many spots open while maintaining a timely installation schedule. Finally, parking management systems are a natural fit for existing security or facility management teams, with the system either tying campus security or maintained by Kyosis on an as-needed basis.
Kyosis is proud to help companies like Colgate-Palmolive solve their parking woes with comprehensive parking management systems. We encourage you to read the Colgate-Palmolive case study and to contact us to schedule a consultation!