12 important features of the ideal mobile app for Civil Enforcement Officers

As parking operators and local authorities strive to improve efficiency and compliance in their operations, mobile apps offer a suite of features that not only enhance the capabilities of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs), but also streamline operations for Parking Managers.

Here’s how using Unity5’s Mobile App for Zatpark – the market-leading parking enforcement software used by over 3,000 Enforcement Officers, can revolutionise your parking enforcement strategy:

1. Accommodation of various FPN ticket types
Mobile App for Zatpark allows for the unified issuance of various PCN and FPN types, following different issuance processes for each type. This ensures different evidential requirements are fulfilled in line with their unique legislative requirements. Evidence can be recorded against the PCN in various ways, including drop-down lists and free text.

2. Unique Reference Codes
Generates a unique reference number for every PCN issued and Inspection carried out.

3. Quick and compliant ticket issuance
The ticket lifecycle is logical and quick. Tickets cannot be issued without legislative requirements being met, ensuring non-compliant tickets are not issued in error.

4. Extensive Checks
Our mobile app for parking enforcement carries out Companies House/Experian/VIN/Trace IQ checks, prior to the issuing of the PCN. This may be both automatic and manual.

5. Evidence Capture
CEOs can capture evidence against an PCN in a number of ways. This includes photographic and video evidence, as well as capturing sensitive documents which are stored separately from photographic evidence. All evidence will be time, date and officer ID (shoulder number) stamped for audit purposes. 

6. ‘Allow-list’ functionality
Real-time sync with the back office system and all relevant licensing systems ensures the enforcement office is able to query the system for all valid licenses, suspensions etc, so that no PCN is issued in error. 

7. Real time data transfer
Tickets are automatically submitted to the back office upon issuance, and can be paid as soon as issued. Evidence uploaded includes photographs, notes, videos, etc. 

8. Built-in ANPR
Our handheld ANPR functionality ensures that the CEO can quickly and accurately capture a VRM. By selecting the camera icon in the app, the device’s camera will instantly populate the VRM info into the PCN input box. The Mobile App for Zatpark’s AI image capture is proven to operate at tight angles and provides a high percentage of confidence in the VRM being read correctly. 

9. Tracking Functionality
Our flagship enforcement product Zatpark leverages data recorded by our mobile app for parking enforcement to track and display the entire route taken by each EO, allowing for GPS logs against all necessary actions. This feature provides a live visual representation of the CEO’s movements whilst on duty. The device will submit the following to the back office:

• Logging in and out
  
• Logging on and off a site
• Starting any observations/evidence gathering
  
• Issuing a citation
• Live ping every 30 seconds (configurable)
• Time management events

CEOs can record every street and location they patrol by logging their entry into a new street or, with the HHD recording the date and time automatically.

10. Timers on Tasks
A timer is now displayed on each active task on the “Today” page. The timer shows how long the task has been active, for example, “>10m” meaning the task was created more than 10 minutes ago. This time updates every time you open the “Today” page.

11. Camera Function on Task Completion
Images can now be uploaded directly from the task details page. This allows CEOs to provide visual evidence and context for their work. It also makes it easy to document task completion, record work details, or capture information for custom fields.

12. Automated VRM Lookup hints
A real time saver for enforcement Officers, users of the Zatpark app now only have to type in 3 characters of a VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark) and multiple clickable options load up. This means there is no need to type in the full VRM manually. There is still functionality to support a VRM being manually typed in from scratch if that is required.

The path to issuing PCNs – with Inspections

The Mobile App for Zatpark facilitates all types of inspections as required for the purpose of processing a licence, carrying compliance checks, or abandoned vehicle inspections. All inspections processed will be logged within the back-office system and are visible to appropriate users and reporting.

Assigned inspection tasks are clearly visible and easy-to-read within the CEOs task management screen, with categorised inspection types and tasks required for actioning.

The inspection process is designed to be intuitive with a user-friendly interface that provides appropriate information from the relevant back-office system, allowing CEOs to gather all required information for the inspection type. The inspection screens guide the officer through the process.

The officer will be guided through the process of prerequisite questionnaires, tailored to the inspection type. All Inspections are date, time and officer ID logged for auditing.

Once an inspection has been completed all information pertaining to the officers findings, such as captured images, and gathered information will be sent into the back-office system as a completed inspection.

Based on the findings the CEO will then be able to take appropriate action such as issuing an PCN, continue to monitor or close the inspection.

The Mobile App for Zatpark includes a two-way communication module which enables direct and efficient communications between back-office staff and CEOs. Tasks can be allocated from the back office to all, a group or individual CEOs for action.

With in-built tasks and tracking, the Mobile App can allocate, assign, pick up and action tasks in real-time. Work Orders can be created by mobile devices or the back office team enabling quick and timely completion of technical or public tasks.

Did you know – Over 2.5k Enforcers use our ticket printers

Unity5’s system offers EOs the flexibility of printing out either PCNs or FPNs. Ticket templates can be configured and then assigned to selected Enforcers and Locations. Two physical sizes of printed Ticket are supported on the printer rolls are 4 inches (4″) and 3 inches (3″). ZPL, FMT and ARPL print languages are all supported to enabling use by ticket and label printers.

Did you know – We have no system downtime for updates or innovation!

As a cloud hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, we only develop and maintain one version of the platform, ensuring the service is subject to daily reviews by developers. The SaaS nature of the system enables us to deliver continuous innovation via the mobile app for parking enforcement at speed across the contract lifecycle, with no system downtime for updates or innovation. Unity5’s mobile app for parking enforcement is available from the Google Play Store and The App Store.

Did you Know – We Provide easy access to the entire Case History

The Zatpark case view provides back-office users with full access to the entire case history, from initiation to its current status. Back-office users can see all evidence, including offence types, case notes, photographic and video evidence, as well as all correspondence both outgoing and incoming. Users can also upload additional evidence directly against a case such as body worn camera footage. They are also able to see any actions taken by users and these are date, time and user ID stamped to ensure all actions are auditable.

Embrace the Change: Why Now is the Time

Parking enforcement is evolving, and mobile apps are at the forefront of this transformation. They empower enforcement officers, streamline operations, and create a more transparent and efficient system for all stakeholders. By investing in a mobile app for parking enforcement, parking operators and local authorities can stay ahead of the curve, meeting the demands of modern urban environments while enhancing service quality.

Unity5 is trusted by 1 in every 3 Local Authorities across the UK

Unity5 was founded back in 2010, and with 15 years of experience we are trusted by over 130 councils across the UK. As an HM Government G-Cloud Supplier we are fully qualified to make life easier for local authorities. Our Accreditations can be viewed here

Ready to take your parking enforcement to the next level?
Contact us today to learn how our mobile app can transform your operations or click here for a downloadable guide