Product: Parking and Complementary Driver Services App. Company: Pango Pay & Go Start of Development: 2007
In 2007, drivers in Israel were using rather outdated solutions to pay for parking, such as scratch cards, parking meters and in-vehicle devices (EasyPark). A new commercial and technological opportunity presented itself for advancing to the next generation by paying for parking using cellphones.
Pango approached the market with a vision for an innovative service offering all drivers in Israel a quick, easy, cost effective way to pay for parking. In late 2007, the first pilots were conducted in three municipal authorities in Israel, and in 2008, the company launched the national cellular parking service under the name Pango. In its original format, parking was activated by voice (IVR) or text (SMS), allowing drivers to start service from any location, to remotely extend the parking duration, and to then switch the service off upon their return.
The company initially worked in collaboration with Milgam and Mobydom. Two years later, Pango exited the partnership, and is now co-owned by Milgam and Unicel. The company’s first employee and current CEO is Roy Elbaz.
Like any vibrant tech company, Pango wanted to expand beyond its base product, and they advanced with their development of additional parking solutions. In late 2011, Pango launched an eponymous smartphone app. The widespread use of smartphones offered drivers the capability to pay for parking with the touch of a button, eliminating the need for a phone call. The app saves drivers time, hassle and money, and reduces their risk of getting a parking ticket.
The platform was later expanded to include even more features: Smooth Parking for quick payment in parking lots, Parking Locator-a free crowdsourcing service to help drivers find parking spots, and other services such as Autowash, Roadside Assistance anywhere in Israel, Toll Road service, and even a Police Assistance button-allowing drivers to call the police in case of an emergency.
Pango currently has 1.8 million subscribers and over ten thousand corporate clients. Every day, hundreds of thousands of customers use its services in 56 local authorities, and in over 150 parking lots throughout the country. Pango is proud to be one of the first apps in the world to offer drivers a cellphone-based service to pay for parking, cementing themselves on the screensavers of most drivers in Israel. Following in their footsteps, an entire global industry of parking technology has emerged, with Israel leading the way.
