Electrical Technology - September Issue
5 October 2011
Concord does it all: from industrial electrical and automation to car park operating systems, security and high-tech communications solutions
After more than 30-years in the New Zealand electrical and technology industries Concord believes it could have a game breaker on its hands through the establishment of a joint venture company with RTL / Harding Traffic Limited.
Innovative Parking Solutions Limited, "i-Park", has been awarded a contract for the installation of what they believe is the country’s first licence plate recognition parking solution for Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) campuses in Hamilton.
"i-Park has developed computer based applications and interfaces to a number of access control applications such as Cardax along with systems for the processing of transactional-based services," says Peter Schnell, Concord CEO.
"We believe this technology is a world-leader which will provide New Zealand local authorities, major institutions and government with a modern method of managing parking facilities, utilising cellular technology; ‘long range’ cashless contact-less parking cards; or licence plate recognition, as a method for both paying parking fees and the management of parking facilities."
The Wintec installation will manage parking for staff, students and casual motorists.
"The system is very simple to use from the customer’s viewpoint and delivers excellent management and control features for parking operators.
A pre-registered i-Park motorist simply drives into an i-Park parking building and their account is debited automatically. Other payment options for casual parkers include, cash, credit card and text to park.
"Seen from the operator’s point-of-view, the parking enforcement officer receives real time notification of parking infringements via a hand-held PDA or mobile. Concord believes the benefits of this new technology are totally transparent to both parties, says Schnell."
From the operator’s point-of-view:
- Minimised cash handling
- No revenue leakages
- Minimal machine maintenance
- Detailed parking statistics
- Real time management
- Distinguish motorist profiles
- Loyalty schemes
And from the motorist’s side:
- And from the motorist’s side:
- No need to carry loose change
- Ability to remotely top-up paid parking without having to leave a meeting or appointment
- Itemised billing histor y
- Receive SMS parking expiry and clearway reminders
- No need to locate ticket machines.
Schnell believes the built-in flexibility in the system -- from pricing to hours of operation and on through not needing to have people operating in tiny, uncomfortable cubicles and having to deal with money -- will be highly attractive to most organisations with large-scale parking lots, and to the established operating companies.
Real information is also a feature of the wide-range of the traditional high-quality services Concord provides. That’s particularly appreciated in the water and wastewater industry, which was one of the particular niches Concord chose to establish itself in at the outset. According to the CEO, this continues to be the case.
Concord has an established reputation within the industry sector, especially in the industrial electricity market, with specialist water and waste water skills, and in recent times its development into the high-tech side of the business has flourished through its expertise with the design, installation and maintenance of security, access control and CCTV systems. Its Communications arm operates the Telecom Tamaki Hub in Auckland with PABX telephony solutions being offered through Concord ICT Limited.
Their engineering division has just completed the upgrade to the electrical, automation and telemetry at the Meremere Waste Water Treatment Plant, under the control of the Waikato District Council. This was one of their typical design/build projects, in this case involving new MCC/ switchboard, a new Allen Bradley PLC control system, interfaced with Qtech Datran telemetry and existing base station Wonderware Intouch SCADA.
"The new PLC operation monitors oxidation pond levels and the dissolved oxygen readings, in addition to monitoring daily inlet and discharge flow on the site; plant operation, oxidation, aeration and treatment, via the UV plant; and most importantly, manages the discharge of treated water, via the pump station, either by ultrasonic or ball floats – depending on which mode of level control is selected."
The plant is monitored and controlled from the SCADA station at the WDC office in Nga
Peter Schnell,
Concord CEO