EasyPark (Agility Ltd), a leading provider of electronic payments solutions, last week won the Bermuda Government’s Ministry of Telecommunications & E-Commerce’s most prestigious ‘Innovation of the Year’ award for its electronic parking solution based on smartcard technology provided by On Track Innovations Ltd’s (OTI) subsidiary PARX.
The local awards, which are designed to showcase the best of local technology in Bermuda, included 153 nominee organizations across the world-class, offshore financial centre’s private, public and non-profit sectors that are “creatively using technology as a tool to innovate in their designated industry” were chosen under 14 categories including: Best Interactive Experience, Best Business Solution Using Technology, Best Customer Service from a Technology Company, Best Use of Green Tech, Best Local Website, Best Local E-Commerce Web Site, Best Local Mobile Application, Best Use of Social Networking Tools; and the top category, Innovation of the Year.
Bermuda’s Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister, the Hon. Michael Scott, and special guest Christyl C. Johnson, a NASA official and Executive Director of the National Science and Technology Council of the United States White House, presented the crystal trophy award for Innovation of the Year to EasyPark’s Director, Norris Ebbin at the TechAwards luncheon held on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
Based on criteria including a truly innovative technology solution that is commercially in use in Bermuda and utilizing Bermuda-based infrastructure and/or resources, the winning company’s innovation had to be a true “showcase” piece for the Island, according to the panel judges representing both Bermuda’s private and Government sectors.
EasyPark’s innovation involved the implementation of a unique parking solution in the form of an “in-vehicle” electronic parking meter; which, consequently, eliminates the need for building and maintaining an aesthetically unpleasing and costly parking infrastructure of outdoor parking meters. The parking solution is based on repurposed smart-card technology that is currently used by the credit card industry and, as a result, the “in-vehicle” parking meters are rechargeable in support of a greener environment.
In addition to lowering infrastructure costs for parking authorities, EasyPark’s solution results in lower user fraud, losses as a result of sabotage, and as a prepaid offering, significantly improves cash flow. The solution can be used for both on and off street parking. There are also numerous benefits for consumers using EasyPark. As local business journalist Roger Crombie, the master of ceremony at the Award’s luncheon, stated, “EasyPark truly saves [users] time, money and makes [their] life easier”.
“We are really proud of this achievement, which truly formally validates our service offering in the Bermuda market only eight months following our initial launch date in mid-September 2009; and particularly given that we were nominated for awards in multiple categories. The Innovation of the Year award represents how quickly EasyPark has become the parking solution of choice for Bermuda’s parking community. In our short period of operation we have been able to capture almost 30% of the parking local market”, said Norris Ebbin.
Although EasyPark operates in over 30 cities in Europe and the Africa, and the Middle East, Bermuda represents the first implementation of this comprehensive solution in the Americas. “I have no doubt that this recognition will only help EasyPark’s migration to new markets in the Americas; particularly in the Caribbean” said Ebbin.
For more information on EasyPark’s unique approach to today parking needs contact sales@easypark.bm or visit the company’s website www.easypark.bm
About EasyPark
Agility Ltd, a Bermuda company, was incorporated in 2005 to provides innovative information systems software and hardware products and consulting services, including digital compliance and electronic payments solutions, in Bermuda and the Caribbean. Agility is a master distributor and operator of smartcard based parking solution provided by On Track Innovations Ltd’s subdiary PARX. For more information on Easy Park, visit our website www.easypark.bm.
About OTI:
Established in 1990, OTI (Nasdaq:OTIV) designs, develops and markets secure contactless microprocessor-based smart card technology to address the needs of a wide variety of markets. Applications developed by OTI include product solutions for petroleum payment systems, homeland security solutions, electronic passports and IDs, payments, mass transit ticketing, parking, loyalty programs and secure campuses. OTI has a global network of regional offices to market and support its products. The company was awarded the Frost & Sullivan 2005 and 2006 Company of the Year Award in the field of smart cards.
About PARX:
PARX Ltd. is a subsidiary of On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) responsible for marketing, operating and distributing advanced parking solutions, including the Easy Park(tm) product, in international markets.
