iPark strikes deal with Chubb

LOCAL developers of paid parking software, iPark, have signed a distribution agreement with Chubb that provides the company with significant sales potential across Australia.

The deal was struck between iPark and Chubb’s traffic services division last week and according to iPark director Adam Broadhurst it provides enormous exposure for the company.

“Over 90 per cent of councils in Australia have agreements with Chubb for electronic infringement applications,” he said.

“We decided to talk to them (Chubb) and the timing was impeccable. The exclusive licence agreement they had with Autocite, the machines the rangers use now, had finished. We had the solution for them.”

Mr Broadhurst said Chubb’s traffic services division had been looking for a product that could meet the growing needs of its council customer base.

“The councils are looking to use mobile technology for a wide range of applications,” he said.

“They are dog registration, notification of overhanging branches, notice of non-conforming signs. The councils want this and Chubb wanted to find a device that would let them expand beyond parking.”

While Chubb will approach its customer base in the eastern States, Mr Broadhurst said iPark representatives were talking to Perth councils.

“Chubb traffic services division doesn’t have a representative in Perth so we are doing that here but the commercial aspects in terms of agreements will be handled by Chubb,” he said.

“We are going out to show them what it is and the benefits of the technology.”

iPark will charge a licensing fee per PDA issued and according to Mr Broadhurst, potential sales in Australia and overseas were in the multi-millions.

Mr Broadhurst said the company had patents on the technology in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, and would actively promote its software offshore.

“No-one is doing this in the world. There are others with dial-into ticket machines but they don’t have the types of services we offer,” Mr Broadhurst said.

The City of Subiaco is currently trialling the iPark system that allows motorists to pay for parking in Subiaco via their mobile phone.

“It is a prepay facility that is almost identical to the prepaid platform on mobile phones,” Mr Broadhurst said.

Motorists preregister for the service and provide billing details and, when they next park their car, they can pay for their parking using their mobile phone.

An SMS message is sent five minutes prior to the expiry time and motorists can choose to top up the meter via mobile phone.

Mr Broadhurst said there were major benefits for councils by providing greater efficiencies and providing a value-added  service.