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From: Duncan Parking Technologies, Inc.  
Subject: Benefits of mechanical vs. electronic Date: 5/16/2017 2:11:11 PM
Benefits of upgrading mechanical mechanisms to electronic

 Converting from mechanical to electronic units usually results in an increase in revenue. Some of this is attributed to the fact that more of the meters will be in service as compared to the mechanical ones. Some is due to the fact there will be fewer complaints with the electronic mechanisms and some will be as a result of people inserting an extra coin after they have already reached the time limit. (The user does not have the same visual indication of when the time limit is reached with an electronic mechanism’s digital display as with the analog dial on a mechanical unit.)

 Mechanical mechanisms are no longer manufactured. Some parts are no longer available and the cost of available parts has increased due to the low volume.

 Electronic mechanisms have fewer and no moving parts as compared to mechanical units.

 Electronic mechanisms have superior coin recognition. The mechanical units will give time for any object that is the same size as the valid coin. While not perfect, the electronic units will screen out most of the unwanted foreign coins and slugs.

 The timing accuracy of the electronic meter is nearly perfect. Complaints of not enough time for the coins inserted are virtually eliminated.

 Electronic mechanisms can be audited so you can track revenue by collection route, zone or individual meter.

 Rate changing is accomplished via infrared using a handheld computer versus a mechanical parts conversion, which can be very costly and labor intensive. You save time and money when it comes time to changing rates on an electronic mechanism. Changing rates on an electronic meter is about the same process as changing channels on a television.

1. Electronic mechanisms have the flexibility to be programmed for any rate including time of day or day of week type rates.