Who would have ever imagined that the presence of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and cameras in Australia would have expanded so rapidly and extensively?
Although the first thought that springs to mind for most people is shopping centre car parks, the possibilities for ANPR are in fact endless.
Here in Australian businesses, vehicles need to get in, be loaded and get out to where they need to be. Customers and staff are busier than ever and are often competing for limited parking spaces. Even homeowners want fast and hassle-free entry into home driveways without having to scramble for clickers and remotes. This is where ANPR comes into its own.
ANPR has completely changed how we move around and do business and has given car park operators the tools to improve car park and driveway traffic efficiency. It can also help
- reduce operating costs and
- make it simpler, and more likely, for people to engage with your organisation or facility.
Like most technology, things can change overnight, so when choosing an ANPR system for your car park or driveway, it needs to have the advancements and reliability that will service you into the future.
We’ve seen it time and again when people have unwittingly gone for an inferior ANPR option later to find it was a complete waste of their time and money.
To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, we recommend you always go for a car park solution that’s designed and installed by experts who will consider your needs now and as you grow, and one that will provide longevity.
When choosing an ANPR supplier, here are some questions you may want to keep in mind when looking for the right ANPR equipment and system for your needs.
How accurate are ANPR cameras?
If your APNR-Optical Character Recognition (OCR) camera and software does not have high levels of accuracy you could be in for a whole lot of pain trying to sort out errors and confusion.
Here at Smart Parking Solutions, we only use leading product brands known for their quality and accuracy, such as Selea. Selea has an ANPR-optical character recognition (OCR) camera and software, for instance, that can deliver extraordinary levels of accuracy of up to 99.8%.
What’s more surprising, the best performing cameras are often more compact, robust and affordable than you may expect so it’s a good idea to assess the bigger picture benefits.
Do ANPR-OCR cameras read number plates if dirty or damaged?
Let’s face it. In Australia’s conditions, there’s going to be times drivers find themselves in a bit of mud or strife causing damage to their number plate. The great news is, there are cameras and software that do a surprising job at reading plates through dirt so make sure the equipment you choose has that capability.
The optical power and software capabilities of a Selea, as one example, are so advanced even tricksters who think they can hide the identity of their vehicles with a smear of dirt may be in for a surprise.
What is the best APNR solution for your situation?
Try to stay clear of the cowboys. You’re going to be getting a better fitting solution from an expert who takes the time to understand your needs and has the experience to point you in the direction of solutions that will give you outstanding value and performance.
What about installation?
Find out who is going to be installing your system. Proper installation is key to a system operating as it should so really does need to be left to professionals, preferably ones that understand the hardware and software inside and out.
Is maintenance required?
Although the ANPR system is automated, for optimal performance you will need some degree of maintenance and upkeep.
ANPR experts, like Smart Parking Solutions, will be able to explain what you can do yourself and make recommendations for when maintenance by a trained technician is needed. You may even want to ask them about maintenance plans so they can take care of scheduling for you.
How to find out more.
If you would like to find out more about automatic number plate recognition technology and how it can make a positive difference to your business, residential premises or facility, contact our expert team today.
