Mihai Nica, Coordinating Technical Support Engineer
“A well-maintained parking system is not just equipment that works – it is a mechanism that generates constant revenue, provides a good user experience, and protects the investment in the long term.”
In this first episode, Mihai Nica, KADRA expert, explains what maintaining a parking system really involves, what the sensitive points are, why response speed matters, and what the “ideal” parking of the future looks like.
1. What does the client most often misunderstand by an "automatic parking system"? What needs to be explained from the beginning, beyond the idea that "you install it and that's it"?
Mihai Nica: It is one of the biggest confusions we encounter. Many clients start from the premise that an automatic parking system is completely autonomous and needs no attention after installation. In reality, we are talking about a complex assembly – mechanical, electronic, software – that works perfectly only if it is maintained periodically. Moreover, even if it is automated, it is not autonomous: it works with tickets that need to be loaded, with money that needs to be collected, and the high traffic in a parking lot brings unforeseen situations. Drivers can make mistakes – break the barrier arm, insert cards where tickets should go and vice versa – and these incidents must be resolved quickly so as not to block the flow.
2. What happens when maintenance is seen as an optional cost, not as an investment?
Mihai Nica: The moment maintenance is treated as a whim, the risk is that the system will stop exactly when it is busiest – weekends, events, peak hours. And that means direct revenue losses, frustrated clients, and a bad image for the operator. However, in the case of parking systems, the absolute priority is rapid intervention – this cannot be replaced by maintenance. Maintenance has the role of preventing premature failure of costly components, such as the banknote recycler or the barrier motor, extending their lifespan. But due to intense use and human errors, unforeseen situations cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, an efficient support team must ensure both rapid interventions – remotely or on-site – and periodic maintenance work, which reduce the total cost for the client in the medium and long term.
3. Parking systems respond to both private and public sector needs. How does the way of working differ in these two areas?
Mihai Nica: Each sector has its particularities. In the private sector, decisions are usually made faster and there is greater flexibility in concluding long-term service contracts, which ensures continuity of operation. In the public sector, procurement procedures and rules may involve additional steps and longer deadlines, which is why it is important for maintenance and interventions to be carefully planned from the implementation stage. In both cases, a well-designed parking system can bring real benefits – whether we are talking about optimizing traffic and user experience, or about constant revenue for the operator.
4. What are the "sensitive points" of an automatic parking system and how do you keep them under control?
Mihai Nica: The most exposed to wear are the cash processing equipment and ticket printers. Any problem here can block the entry/exit flow. Therefore, we recommend that clients have on site a “toolbox” of essential parts, customized for their system. This would allow us to quickly resolve any malfunction, without waiting for deliveries.
5. How important is response speed, in reality? What does a repair in a few hours vs. a few days concretely change for the client?
Mihai Nica: It makes the difference between a normal day and a financial disaster. If the system blocks on Friday evening and you repair it on Monday, the losses are large, and the clients’ frustration is huge. We have teams ready to intervene very quickly, anywhere in the country. And we are talking about well-trained people who have dealt with all kinds of situations in the field, so they know how to resolve things promptly and thoroughly.
6. What would the "ideal" parking of the future look like, in your opinion? And what is KADRA doing now to get there?
Mihai Nica: The ideal parking is part of a smart urban ecosystem – connected with public transport, with navigation systems and mobile applications, monitored in real time, with dynamic tariffs and proactive service. At KADRA we are already preparing the ground for this: centralized platforms, software integration, contactless access solutions, and maintenance packages that ensure uninterrupted operation.